Director - Accounting Policy

Oliver James; Des Moines (IA); Hybrid; USD 150,000 - 210,000; Full time

Job summary

Oliver James partners with a leading U.S. insurance organization to hire a Director of Accounting Policy in Des Moines, IA. The role emphasizes technical accounting, policy development, and implementing evolving standards, with a hybrid work arrangement.

The ideal candidate brings CPA, 8+ years in insurance/financial services, and strong U.S. GAAP and SAP knowledge, plus ability to translate complex guidance into clear corporate direction for finance stakeholders.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or related discipline.
• CPA certification is required.
• 8+ years of progressive experience in insurance, investments, public accounting, or a related financial services environment.
• Public accounting experience required; Big 4 experience preferred.
• Strong knowledge of U.S. GAAP and Statutory Accounting Principles.
• Strong technical accounting research, analysis, and documentation skills.
• Strong communication, analytical, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to collaborate across functions and manage multiple priorities.

Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain accounting policies and procedures supporting U.S. GAAP and Statutory Accounting Principles.
• Research new and evolving accounting guidance and assess potential impact.
• Lead the implementation of new accounting standards and communicate changes to internal stakeholders.
• Research complex transactions and prepare accounting policy memoranda documenting conclusions and supporting analysis.
• Partner with finance and other internal stakeholders to evaluate the accounting implications of significant transactions and business initiatives.
• Develop and maintain technical accounting documentation, policies, procedures, and supporting templates.
• Monitor regulatory and standard-setting developments, including FASB and NAIC guidance.
• Identify opportunities to improve accounting policy processes, documentation, research, and workflow through technology and automation.
• Support the development and use of AI-enabled tools for technical accounting research, documentation, and knowledge management.
• Provide technical accounting guidance and training to finance professionals across the organization.
• Support the ongoing development of accounting policy resources and best practices across the finance organization.

Skills

U.S. GAAP knowledge

Statutory Accounting Principles

Technical accounting research

Documentation skills

Communication

Analytical skills

Problem-solving

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree in Accounting or Finance

CPA

Tools

AI-enabled accounting tools

FASB/NAIC guidance research

Job description

Oliver James is partnering with a leading U.S. insurance organization that’s seeking a Director of Accounting Policy to join its growing finance team. This position will play a key role in technical accounting, policy development, and the implementation of evolving accounting standards across the organization.

The ideal candidate will bring strong technical accounting expertise, experience with U.S. GAAP and Statutory Accounting Principles, and the ability to research complex accounting matters and translate them into clear guidance for business and finance stakeholders.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain accounting policies and procedures supporting U.S. GAAP and Statutory Accounting Principles.
• Research new and evolving accounting guidance and assess the potential impact on the organization.
• Lead the implementation of new accounting standards and communicate relevant changes to internal stakeholders.
• Research complex and unusual transactions and prepare accounting policy memoranda documenting conclusions and supporting analysis.
• Partner with finance and other internal stakeholders to evaluate the accounting implications of significant transactions and business initiatives.
• Develop and maintain technical accounting documentation, policies, procedures, and supporting templates.
• Monitor regulatory and standard-setting developments, including FASB and NAIC guidance.
• Identify opportunities to improve accounting policy processes, documentation, research, and workflow through technology and automation.
• Support the development and use of AI-enabled tools for technical accounting research, documentation, and knowledge management.
• Provide technical accounting guidance and training to finance professionals across the organization.
• Support the ongoing development of accounting policy resources and best practices across the finance organization.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related discipline.
• CPA required.
• 8+ years of progressive experience within insurance, investments, public accounting, or a related financial services environment.
• Public accounting experience required; Big 4 experience preferred.
• Strong knowledge of U.S. GAAP and Statutory Accounting Principles.
• Strong technical accounting research, analysis, and documentation skills, with experience interpreting and implementing new accounting standards.
• Strong communication, analytical, and problem-solving skills with the ability to collaborate across functions and manage multiple priorities.

The position is based in Des Moines, IA and offers a hybrid work arrangement.