Director of Technical Accounting

Buckingham Search; Oak Brook (IL); Hybrid; USD 120,000 - 150,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work flexibility

Exposure to enterprise-wide influence

Close partnership with senior leadership

Job summary

A global organization is seeking a senior technical accounting leader to oversee accounting policy and complex transactions in alignment with U.S. GAAP. This hybrid role emphasizes strong leadership, technical expertise, and collaboration across finance teams. The ideal candidate will have a Bachelor's degree, CPA credentials, and over ten years of progressive accounting experience, including public accounting. Join a dynamic environment where you can influence enterprise-wide accounting decisions and contribute to strategic initiatives.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of progressive accounting experience preferred.
• Strong background in technical accounting and complex transactions.
• Prior public accounting experience is strongly preferred.

Responsibilities

• Own interpretation and application of U.S. GAAP across complex transactions.
• Lead accounting analysis for acquisitions and strategic initiatives.
• Act as a primary technical resource for audits.

Skills

Technical accounting expertise

Strong communication skills

Ability to translate accounting guidance

Leadership and process improvement

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Accounting

CPA required

Job description

A large, global organization with complex operations is seeking a senior technical accounting leader to own accounting policy, complex transactions, and GAAP interpretation across the enterprise.

This role sits at the center of judgment-heavy accounting decisions and partners closely with controllership, external reporting, audit, legal, and business leadership. The ideal candidate brings deep technical expertise, strong communication skills, and the ability to translate accounting guidance into practical, scalable execution.

The Opportunity

This role leads technical accounting activities for a diversified, multinational business operating across multiple legal entities and jurisdictions. You’ll be responsible for evaluating complex transactions, maintaining accounting policy, and ensuring consistent application of U.S. GAAP across the organization.

The position plays a key role in business change initiatives, including transactions, system implementations, and evolving accounting standards, while serving as a trusted advisor to senior finance leadership.

This is a hybrid role based in the western Chicago suburbs.

What You’ll Be Responsible For

Technical Accounting & Policy

• Own interpretation and application of U.S. GAAP across complex and non-routine transactions
• Develop, maintain, and update accounting policies and technical position papers
• Serve as the primary escalation point for accounting judgments and interpretations
• Ensure consistent application of accounting policies across domestic and international entities

Complex Transactions

• Lead accounting analysis for acquisitions, divestitures, restructurings, and other strategic initiatives
• Evaluate accounting implications of new contracts, business models, and operational changes
• Partner with FP&A, legal, tax, and operations to assess accounting impact before execution

Standards & Regulatory Readiness

• Monitor new and emerging accounting standards and assess enterprise-wide impact
• Lead implementation efforts for new guidance, including training and change management
• Support alignment between technical conclusions and external reporting disclosures

Audit & Stakeholder Partnership

• Act as a primary technical resource for internal and external auditors
• Support audit reviews, inquiries, and documentation requirements
• Collaborate closely with external reporting and controllership teams to ensure clean execution

Leadership & Process Improvement

• Lead and develop a team of technical accounting professionals
• Improve documentation, consistency, and efficiency of technical accounting processes
• Build scalable frameworks that support growth, transformation, and compliance

What They’re Looking For

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting (advanced degree a plus)
• CPA required
• 10+ years of progressive accounting experience
• Strong background in technical accounting and complex transactions
• Prior public accounting experience strongly preferred
• Deep working knowledge of U.S. GAAP; familiarity with international standards a plus
• Proven ability to lead through influence and partner cross-functionally
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills

Why This Role Stands Out

• High-impact technical leadership role with enterprise-wide influence
• Exposure to complex, judgment-driven accounting matters
• Close partnership with senior finance leadership and strategic initiatives
• Hybrid flexibility within a sophisticated finance organization