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Jobs · Accounting · California

Director of Technical Accounting

Farmers & Merchants Bank of Long Beach · Lakewood, CA · 2 wk ago
On-siteAccounting$143k–$266k/yrFull-time

Job Summary

The Director of Technical Accounting is responsible for leading the Bank’s technical accounting function, ensuring accurate interpretation and application of U.S. GAAP and banking regulatory requirements across complex transactions and financial reporting processes. This role serves as a key advisor to Finance & Accounting leadership, supporting regulatory compliance, audit readiness, and strategic initiatives while maintaining a strong control environment aligned with the Bank’s risk and governance framework.

Key Responsibilities

  • Technical Accounting & Policy Lead technical accounting research and prepare formal memoranda to address the accounting, financial reporting, and tax impact for new or complex transactions. Establish and maintain accounting policies in alignment with U.S. GAAP, regulatory guidance, and industry practices. Evaluate impact of new or proposed accounting standards and regulatory guidance (FASB updates, CECL, capital rules, etc.) and drive evaluation, preparation, and implementation. Serve as the Bank’s internal expert on accounting interpretation and policy application, including business combinations (ASC 805), derivatives and hedge accounting (ASC 815), fair value measurement (ASC 820), consolidation/VIE analysis (ASC 810), lease accounting (ASC 842), and income tax accounting (ASC 740).

  • Financial Reporting & Regulatory Support Partner with Financial & Accounting teams to ensure accurate and complete external reporting for the audited financial statements, quarterly press releases, proxy statements, etc. Provide technical guidance on Call Reports, FR Y9C, and other regulatory filings. Review accounting conclusions supporting financial reporting and regulatory submissions. Support regulatory capital rule considerations, where applicable.

  • Transaction Advisory & Strategic Initiatives Analyze accounting implications of new or complex transactions, including: Lending and structured finance arrangements, Investment securities and capital markets activities, Strategic initiatives, including taxes, hedging, acquisitions, partnerships, or specialty finance structures. Provide recommendations and accounting treatment guidance to CFO, Finance & Accounting leadership and other business leadership, if appropriate.

  • Audit & Controls Serve as primary technical liaison with external auditors. Support internal audit and RCSA/ICT processes. Automate, enhance, and maintain internal controls over financial reporting and technical accounting areas. Ensure documentation is audit-ready and aligned with regulatory expectations.

  • Cross-functional Leadership Partner with Risk, Treasury, FP&A, and Legal teams on accounting matters. Translate technical accounting into clear business guidance. Support training and development of accounting staff. Present technical accounting matters and conclusions to the Audit Committee and/or Board, as needed.

  • Systems & Process Enhancement Support automation and improvements in accounting processes. Collaborate on financial systems initiatives (e.g., EPM, loan systems, reporting tools, customer profitability) to ensure accounting integrity and scalability.

  • Compliance Responsibilities Complies with all applicable state and federal banking laws, regulations, and internal policies related to, but not limited to, lending, operations, and deposit requirements, including Bank Secrecy Act (BSA), Anti-Money Laundering (AML) requirements, Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) regulations, Customer Identification Program (CIP) requirements, financial elder abuse reporting laws, sexual harassment prevention policies, and information security and privacy requirements.

Required Knowledge

  • Deep expertise in U.S. GAAP and technical accounting research

  • Understanding of bank regulatory reporting (Call Reports, FR Y9C)

  • Familiarity with internal control frameworks (SOX/RCSA)

  • Familiarity with banking products, investments, and balance sheet dynamics

  • System implementation or project management a plus

Skills and Abilities

  • System implementation or project management experience is a plus

Education and Experience

  • Bachelor’s degree in accounting or finance, required

  • CPA, required

  • 12+ years of progressive accounting experience

  • 5+ years in technical accounting or accounting policy

  • Banking or financial services experience strongly preferred

  • Big 4 or national accounting firm background, preferred

  • Familiarity with data analytics or accounting technology (e.g., RPA, AI-enabled close processes), a plus

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