Senior Director - Benefits Accounting Leader

WTW; Arlington (VA); On-site; USD 150,000 - 250,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health and Welfare Benefits

Retirement Benefits

Annual incentive bonus eligibility

Job summary

WTW is seeking a Benefits Accounting Leader to serve as a subject matter expert providing technical accounting and financial reporting guidance related to retirement plans, retiree healthcare, and other employee benefits.

You will collaborate on client advisories, technical memos, and client webcasts to share insights on US GAAP, IFRS, and SEC developments, working with clients’ finance functions and auditors.

Qualifications

• 10+ years’ experience in accounting, financial reporting or financial analysis.
• CPA preferable; BA/BS required.
• Strong knowledge of US GAAP ASC 712/715/960/965; IAS 19 experience preferable.
• Strong written and oral communication skills around technical accounting advice.
• Client-facing capabilities with internal consultants and external clients.

Responsibilities

• Aid WTW consultants and clients on challenging accounting and financial reporting issues under US GAAP and IFRS.
• Help interpret and provide guidance to WTW consultants and clients on changes to financial reporting under US GAAP and IFRS related to employee benefits and related matters.
• Co-lead client benefits accounting training seminar geared towards mid- to upper level finance and benefits professionals.
• Coordinate with North America Actuarial Leadership and Global Benefits Accounting teams, to develop and maintain intellectual capital, client advisories, and perspective on benefits accounting issues which arise under US GAAP and IFRS.
• Present at national and local events for WTW consultants and client continuing education purposes.
• Assist with client new business proposals for actuarial consulting and coordination work.
• Maintain North America Retirement’s relationships with national accounting firms, and FASB staff.
• Partner with Professional Excellence and Actuarial Leadership teams to maintain financial reporting quality and accuracy of financial statement disclosure reports.

Skills

US GAAP knowledge

Technical accounting

Communication skills

Client-facing

Team collaboration

CPA preferable

Education

Bachelor's degree

CPA certification preferred

Job description

Description

As Benefits Accounting Leader, you will serve as a subject matter expert responsible for providing technical accounting and financial reporting guidance related to retirement (defined benefit and defined contribution), retiree healthcare and other employee benefit programs to clients and client teams. You will be part of a team which collaborates on client advisories, technical memos, and client webcasts/seminars to provide insights to clients and consultants on relevant accounting and financial reporting topics for FASB, IFRS, and SEC accounting and financial reporting developments. In addition, you will work directly with clients’ Finance / Controller functions and their auditors to address application of accounting and financial reporting standards.

Description

As Benefits Accounting Leader, you will serve as a subject matter expert responsible for providing technical accounting and financial reporting guidance related to retirement (defined benefit and defined contribution), retiree healthcare and other employee benefit programs to clients and client teams. You will be part of a team which collaborates on client advisories, technical memos, and client webcasts/seminars to provide insights to clients and consultants on relevant accounting and financial reporting topics for FASB, IFRS, and SEC accounting and financial reporting developments. In addition, you will work directly with clients’ Finance / Controller functions and their auditors to address application of accounting and financial reporting standards.

The Role

• Aid WTW consultants and clients on challenging accounting and financial reporting issues under US GAAP and IFRS, including de-risking, corporate restructurings, M&A, and benefit plan design projects.
• Help interpret and provide guidance to WTW consultants and clients on changes to financial reporting under US GAAP and IFRS related to employee benefits and related matters.
• Co-lead client benefits accounting training seminar geared towards mid- to upper level finance and benefits professionals. Lead client-specific benefits accounting training sessions for sizeable organizations.
• Coordinate with North America Actuarial Leadership and Global Benefits Accounting teams, to develop and maintain intellectual capital, client advisories, and perspective on benefits accounting issues which arise under US GAAP and IFRS
• Present at national and local events for WTW consultants and client continuing education purposes.
• Assist with client new business proposals for actuarial consulting and coordination work
• Maintain North America Retirement’s relationships with national accounting firms, and FASB staff
• Partner with Professional Excellence and Actuarial Leadership teams to maintain financial reporting quality and accuracy of financial statement disclosure reports.

Qualifications

The Requirements

• 10+ years’ experience and success in accounting, financial reporting and/or financial analysis
• CPA preferable, BA/BS required
• Strong technical expertise in application of applicable accounting standards under US GAAP, including ASC 712 / 715/ 960 / 965; IAS 19 experience preferable
• Proven ability to recognize and diagnose issues and work collaboratively in teams
• Strong written and oral communication skills, particularly around technical advice related to accounting issues to individuals without an accounting background
• Client-facing capabilities with both internal consultants and external clients

Compensation And Benefits

Compensation and benefits information for this position is being included in accordance with requirements of the California Equal Pay for Equal Work Act. Please note that the salary range listed relate specifically to roles located in California and that salary ranges for similar positions located in other WTW locations may vary. In addition, salaries may vary for different individuals in the same role based on several factors, including but not limited to individual competencies, education/professional certifications, experience and performance in the role.

Compensation

The base salary compensation range being offered for this role is $150,000-$250,000 USD per year.

This role is also eligible for an annual short-term incentive bonus.

Company Benefits

WTW provides a competitive benefit package which includes the following (eligibility requirements apply):

• Health and Welfare Benefits: Medical (including prescription coverage), Dental, Vision, Health Savings Account, Commuter Account, Health Care and Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts, Group Accident, Group Critical Illness, Life Insurance, AD&D, Group Legal, Identify Theft Protection, Wellbeing Program and Work/Life Resources (including Employee Assistance Program)
• Leave Benefits: Paid Holidays, Annual Paid Time Off (includes paid state/local paid leave where required), Short-Term Disability, Long-Term Disability, Other Leaves (e.g., Bereavement, FMLA, ADA, Jury Duty, Military Leave, and Parental and Adoption Leave), Paid Time Off
• Retirement Benefits: Contributory Pension Plan and Savings Plan (401k). All Level 38 and more senior roles may also be eligible for non-qualified Deferred Compensation and Deferred Savings Plans.

Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance and Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance for Employers, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

Note that visa employment-based non-immigrant visa sponsorship and/or assistance is not offered for this specific job opportunity.

This position will remain posted for a minimum of three business days from the date posted or until sufficient/appropriate candidate slate has been identified.

EOE, including disability/vets