Head of Corporate Accounting Operations

Vanguard•Malvern, PA

1d•Hybrid

About The Position

Leads global corporate accounting operations, including accounting execution, close, governance, and operational enablement. Partners closely with the Corporate Financial Reporting team, which prepares financial statements and disclosures, and the Financial Planning & Analysis (FP&A) team, which prepares management reporting, to ensure accurate, timely, and well-controlled accounting information that supports enterprise reporting, decision-making, and regulatory requirements. Core Responsibilities: Builds, leads, and develops a global corporate accounting operations organization, including talent strategy, performance management, and succession planning. Owns end-to-end corporate accounting operations, including month-end and year-end close execution, balance sheet governance, reconciliations, and intercompany accounting. Partners with the Corporate Financial Reporting team to deliver complete and accurate accounting records, analyses, and schedules to support external reporting and disclosures. Partners with FP&A by providing high-quality accounting data, operational insights, and explanations of key drivers and variances. Establishes and maintains a strong internal control environment, including SOX-related controls, to mitigate financial, operational, and reputational risk. Leads coordination with internal and external auditors, ensuring audit readiness and timely resolution of issues. Drives accounting transformation initiatives, including process standardization, automation, system enhancements, and data and analytics capabilities. Provides operational accounting insight and risk perspectives to senior leadership and governance forums. Develops and executes long-term operational strategies, including departmental business planning and expense management. Builds strong cross-functional and cross-regional partnerships across Finance, Risk, Legal, Tax, Technology, and shared services.

Requirements

10+ years of progressive experience in accounting, including significant leadership experience in corporate accounting operations or controllership roles.
Demonstrated experience leading large, geographically distributed teams and managing global accounting processes.
Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field required
Deep knowledge of U.S. GAAP, internal controls, and audit processes.
Proven ability to lead technology-enabled transformation.

Nice To Haves

graduate degree preferred.
CPA or equivalent professional certification strongly preferred.
Knowledge of financial services regulatory environments preferred.

Responsibilities

Builds, leads, and develops a global corporate accounting operations organization, including talent strategy, performance management, and succession planning.
Owns end-to-end corporate accounting operations, including month-end and year-end close execution, balance sheet governance, reconciliations, and intercompany accounting.
Partners with the Corporate Financial Reporting team to deliver complete and accurate accounting records, analyses, and schedules to support external reporting and disclosures.
Partners with FP&A by providing high-quality accounting data, operational insights, and explanations of key drivers and variances.
Establishes and maintains a strong internal control environment, including SOX-related controls, to mitigate financial, operational, and reputational risk.
Leads coordination with internal and external auditors, ensuring audit readiness and timely resolution of issues.
Drives accounting transformation initiatives, including process standardization, automation, system enhancements, and data and analytics capabilities.
Provides operational accounting insight and risk perspectives to senior leadership and governance forums.
Develops and executes long-term operational strategies, including departmental business planning and expense management.
Builds strong cross-functional and cross-regional partnerships across Finance, Risk, Legal, Tax, Technology, and shared services.