Director, Accounting

Chicago Bridge & Iron Company; The Woodlands (TX); On-site; USD 150,000 - 200,000; Full time

Job summary

Chicago Bridge & Iron Company is seeking a Director, Accounting to oversee its global accounting function, ensuring the integrity and accuracy of financial reporting in compliance with U.S. GAAP. This role requires 12+ years of accounting experience, including management and public company expertise.

Responsibilities include leading the financial close process, managing external audits, and maintaining strong internal controls. Candidates should possess a CPA and a deep understanding of SEC regulations and accounting standards.

Qualifications

• 12+ years of progressive accounting experience, including significant public company experience.
• Professional certification such as CPA is required.
• 8+ years of management experience is a must.
• Deep knowledge of U.S. GAAP, SEC reporting, and SOX/ICFR requirements.

Responsibilities

• Oversee the global monthly, quarterly, and annual financial close process.
• Lead preparation of SEC filings and other public disclosures.
• Own and maintain the internal control over financial reporting framework.
• Serve as primary liaison with external auditors.

Skills

Deep technical accounting expertise

Strong understanding of public company reporting and compliance

Leadership and organizational development

Process improvement and transformation mindset

High attention to detail and financial discipline

Strategic thinking with operational execution capability

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field

Tools

ERP systems (e.g., SAP, Oracle)

Job description

Company Overview

CB&I delivers integrated storage and asset‑management solutions that help customers operate safely, reliably, and efficiently across the lifecycle of their facilities. Through our two global business units - Storage Solutions, the world leader in tanks, terminals, and storage systems, and Asset Solutions, a leading provider of operations, management, wells and decommissioning services - we combine technical excellence with execution capability to extend asset life, optimize performance, and maximize value.

Overview

The Director, Accounting is the senior leader responsible for overseeing CB&I’s global accounting function, ensuring the integrity, accuracy, and timeliness of financial reporting in compliance with U.S. GAAP and public company requirements. This role leads the company’s accounting operations, financial close process, and external reporting while maintaining a strong internal control environment.

The Director, Accounting serves as a key partner to the CFO, executive leadership team, and external stakeholders, including auditors and regulators. The ideal candidate brings deep public company experience, strong technical accounting expertise, and a proven ability to lead within complex, project‑driven environments such as EPC, construction, or energy.

This position is a manager role. The role directly reports to the CFO and routinely interacts with the Executive Leadership Team and External Stakeholders.

Responsibilities

Financial Reporting & Close

• Oversee the global monthly, quarterly, and annual financial close process, ensuring accuracy, completeness, and timeliness.
• Lead preparation of SEC filings (10‑K, 10‑Q, 8‑K) and other public disclosures.
• Ensure compliance with U.S. GAAP, SEC regulations, and company accounting policies.
• Maintain high‑quality documentation supporting financial reporting and disclosures.

Technical Accounting

• Provide leadership on complex technical accounting matters, including revenue recognition (ASC 606), leasing (ASC 842), and project accounting.
• Evaluate and document accounting positions related to contracts, joint ventures, and large capital projects.
• Monitor emerging accounting standards and lead implementation across the organization.

Internal Controls & SOX Compliance

• Own and maintain the internal control over financial reporting (ICFR) framework in partnership with Internal Audit.
• Ensure strong alignment between accounting processes and SOX compliance requirements.
• Support control design, documentation, testing remediation, and external audit reliance.
• Promote a culture of accountability and control discipline across finance and operations.

External Audit & Stakeholder Management

• Serve as primary liaison with external auditors, leading audit planning, execution, and issue resolution.
• Partner closely with the CFO and investor relations on external financial communications.
• Support Audit Committee reporting on financial results, accounting policies, and key judgments.

Project & Operational Accounting

• Oversee accounting for EPC projects, including cost tracking, revenue recognition, change orders, and contract accounting.
• Ensure consistency and accuracy in accounting across global projects and joint ventures.
• Partner with operations and project teams to enhance financial visibility and performance insights.

Global Accounting Operations

• Lead global accounting teams, including general ledger, consolidation, fixed assets, and intercompany processes.
• Ensure effective coordination across geographies and business units.
• Drive standardization, process improvement, and shared services optimization where appropriate.

Systems, Processes & Transformation

• Lead continuous improvement of accounting processes through automation and system enhancements (ERP and reporting tools).
• Strengthen data integrity and reporting capabilities to support real‑time decision making.
• Partner with IT and finance leadership on system implementations and upgrades.

Leadership & Talent Development

• Build and lead a high‑performing accounting organization with strong technical and leadership capabilities.
• Develop talent pipelines and succession planning within the accounting function.
• Foster a culture of collaboration, accountability, and continuous improvement.

Qualifications

Required:

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field.
• 12+ years of progressive accounting experience, including significant public company experience.
• Professional certification such as CPA.
• 8+ years of management experience.
• Demonstrated experience leading financial reporting and accounting functions in a complex, global organization.
• Deep knowledge of U.S. GAAP, SEC reporting, and SOX/ICFR requirements.
• Proven experience managing external audits and regulatory compliance.

Preferred:

• Experience in EPC, construction, energy, or other project‑based industries.
• Background in Big 4 or national public accounting firms.
• Expertise in project accounting and revenue recognition for long‑term contracts.
• Experience with ERP systems (e.g., SAP, Oracle) and financial consolidation tools.
• Strong executive presence and ability to communicate complex accounting matters.

Skills and Behaviors

• Deep technical accounting expertise
• Strong understanding of public company reporting and compliance
• Leadership and organizational development
• Process improvement and transformation mindset
• High attention to detail and financial discipline
• Strategic thinking with operational execution capability
• Proactively embraces and promotes the company’s values, culture, and a healthy and safe work environment.