US Accounting Policy Lead

Nomura; New York (NY); On-site; USD 220,000 - 240,000; Full time

Job summary

Nomura in New York seeks a senior US GAAP Technical Accounting leader to serve as SME on complex accounting issues, create and maintain policies, and guide stakeholders across the organization.

You will manage statutory financial statements, coordinate with external auditors, and collaborate with Treasury, Tax, Risk, Legal, and Operations on product and transaction accounting implications. CPA required; Big 4 experience preferred.

Qualifications

• 12+ years of progressive accounting experience with exposure to technical accounting and financial services.
• Deep expertise in US GAAP with ability to research and apply complex standards.
• Experience managing statutory audit processes and coordinating with external auditors (Big 4 preferred).
• Excellent communication and presentation skills for senior executives and non-finance audiences.

Responsibilities

• Serve as SME for US GAAP accounting standards and provide guidance on complex accounting matters.
• Develop, document, and maintain US accounting policies and procedures.
• Monitor and assess impact of new US GAAP standards and communicate with stakeholders.
• Provide technical accounting guidance on instruments, revenue, consolidation, and hedging.
• Oversee statutory financial statements and audits, coordinating with external auditors.
• Partner with business divisions and corporate functions on accounting implications of initiatives.
• Mentor and develop two direct reports in statutory reporting and control environment.

Skills

US GAAP expertise

Stakeholder management

Leadership and people management

Communication skills

Analytical and problem solving

Financial services knowledge

Deadline-driven

External audit collaboration

Research & interpretation of standards

Executive presentation

Education

Bachelor's degree in accounting or finance

CPA

Tools

PeopleSoft

Job description

The pay range for this position at commencement of employment is expected to be between $220K & $240K/year * (see below footnote for additional compensation and benefits information).

Company overview

Nomura is a financial services group with an integrated global network. By connecting markets East & West, we service the needs of individuals, institutions, corporates and governments through our four business divisions: Wealth Management, Investment Management, Wholesale (Global Markets and Investment Banking) and Banking.

Driven by the insights of some 28,000 people worldwide, we put our clients at the center of everything we do, delivering unparalleled access to, from and within Asia. For further information about Nomura, visit www.nomura.com

Department Overview:

Nomura's Finance department manages the company's financial operations and provides financial guidance to support business decision-making. The team collaborates with senior leadership, business units, and stakeholders to develop effective financial strategies, providing guidance on financial planning, budgeting, forecasting, and analysis to align financial operations with business objectives. Nomura's Finance team specializes in financial reporting, accounting, tax, treasury, and capital management, known for providing exceptional service to clients. With a strong track record and commitment to innovation and global reach, Nomura's Finance department is well-positioned to continue driving growth and success in the financial industry.

Role Description:

US GAAP Technical Accounting & Policy Leadership:

• Serve as subject matter expert (SME) for US GAAP accounting standards, providing authoritative guidance on complex technical accounting matters
• Research, interpret, and apply US GAAP standards to new and emerging transactions, products, and business initiatives
• Develop, document, and maintain US accounting policies and procedures to ensure consistency across the organization
• Monitor and assess impact of new and proposed US GAAP standards, including implementation planning and stakeholder communication
• Provide technical accounting guidance on complex areas including financial instruments, revenue recognition, consolidation, fair value measurement, and hedging

Legal Entity Statutory Financial Statements:

• Manage and oversee the preparation and audit process for legal entity statutory audited financial statements
• Supervise a team of two professionals responsible for statutory reporting deliverables
• Coordinate with external auditors to ensure timely completion of statutory audits and resolution of audit findings
• Ensure compliance with statutory reporting requirements and regulatory filing deadlines
• Review and approve statutory financial statements, including footnote disclosures and management assertions

Business Partner & Corporate Function Support:

• Provide US GAAP accounting support and consultation to business divisions (Wealth Management, Investment Management, Wholesale, Banking)
• Partner with corporate functions including Treasury, Tax, Risk, Legal, and Operations on accounting implications of business initiatives
• Face off with senior business leaders and CFO on technical accounting matters, transaction structuring, and financial reporting impacts
• Advise on accounting treatment for new products, transactions, M&A activity, and strategic initiatives
• Translate complex accounting requirements into actionable guidance for non-finance stakeholders

Audit & Control Environment:

• Serve as primary liaison with internal and external auditors on technical accounting matters
• Respond to audit inquiries, provide supporting documentation, and resolve audit findings
• Support SOX compliance efforts related to accounting policies and financial reporting controls
• Participate in quarterly and annual audit planning discussions and technical accounting consultations
• Manage, mentor, and develop two direct reports responsible for statutory financial statements
• Foster a culture of technical excellence, continuous learning, and professional development
• Provide guidance on complex accounting issues and promote knowledge sharing across the team
• Support talent development through coaching, performance feedback, and career planning

Skills, experience, qualifications and knowledge required:

• 12+ years of progressive accounting experience, with significant exposure to technical accounting and financial services industry
• Bachelor’s degree in accounting or finance from an accredited university; CPA required
• Deep expertise in US GAAP accounting principles, with demonstrated ability to research and apply complex standards
• Strong understanding of financial services products, including derivatives, structured products, asset management, and investment vehicles
• Experience managing statutory audit processes and working with external audit firms (Big 4 experience preferred)
• Proven ability to manage and develop staff, with at least 2-3 years of people management experience
• Excellent communication and presentation skills, with ability to articulate complex technical concepts to senior executives and non-finance audiences
• Strong stakeholder management skills, with experience facing off with senior business leaders, CFO, and audit committees
• Ability to work under tight deadlines in a fast-paced, high-pressure environment with exceptional attention to detail
• Experience with enterprise financial systems (e.g., PeopleSoft) and technical accounting tools
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with ability to assess business implications of accounting decisions
  
• Explore Insights & Vision: Identify the underlying causes of problems faced by you or your team and define a clear vision and direction for the future.
• Making Strategic Decisions: Evaluate all the options for resolving the problems and effectively prioritize actions or recommendations.
• Inspire Entrepreneurship in People: Inspire team members through effective communication of ideas and motivate them to actively enhance productivity.
• Elevate Organizational Capability: Engage proactively in professional development and enhance team productivity through the promotion of knowledge sharing.
• Inclusion: Foster a culture of inclusion and psychological safety in the workplace and cultivate a "Risk Culture" (Challenge, Escalate and Respect).

* base pay offered may vary depending on multiple individualized factors, including market location, corporate and functional title and duties, job-related knowledge and advanced degrees, skills, and experience. The total compensation package for this position may also include other elements, including a sign-on bonus, restricted stock units, and discretionary awards in addition to a full range of medical, financial, and/or other benefits (including 401(k) eligibility and various paid time off benefits, such as vacation, sick time, and parental leave), dependent on the position offered. Details of participation in these benefit plans will be provided if an employee receives an offer of employment.

If hired in the U.S., employee will be in an “at-will position” and the Company reserves the right to modify base salary (as well as any other discretionary payment or compensation program) at any time, including for reasons related to individual performance, Company or individual department/team performance, and market factors.

**US FINANCE ONLY** Applicants f or this position in the Finance Division of NHA must be currently
authorized to work f or any employer in the United States. The Finance Division is not sponsoring or taking
over sponsorship of employment visas f or this posit ion at this time