Chief Accounting Officer

Premier Bank Job Description
Position Title: Chief Accounting Officer
Department: Accounting
Position Reports to: Chief Financial Officer
Position Supervises: Controllers (Bank and Insurance Agency)

Position Summary:

The Chief Accounting Officer will lead the accounting team and is responsible for the strategic direction of the accounting function, the control structure in place over accounting and external reporting, regulatory reporting, managing external financial audits and leading the accounting team to implement the systems, processes and controls that support a growing, high-performing financial institution. Provides senior management oversight of all corporate accounting functions and staff including: bank/corporate accounting, tax, Allowance, and financial/regulatory reporting. Serves as the primary corporate accounting representative to all management committees.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Provide senior management oversight to all corporate accounting functions, including the financial closing process of all entities and ensuring completion of all closing activities within the required timeframes. Review complex accounting activities including consolidations, eliminations, and inter-company activities.
• Direct the company’s evaluation and implementation of new accounting standards and pronouncements.
• Partner with the CFO to assess accounting and tax implications for all material business decisions.
• Oversee the bank’s Allowance measurement process and resources ensuring credit loss reserves are appropriately established under GAAP and regulatory guidance. Collaborate with Credit and Risk to ensure compliance with company policies.
• Assist executive management team in performing due diligence on acquisitions and manage all purchase accounting activities associated with mergers and acquisitions including serving as liaison to valuation experts and external accountants.
• Ensure maintenance of effective internal controls and appropriate accounting policies and procedures, including evaluation and documentation of processes and controls for compliance with SOX 404.
• Serve as an expert support resource and provide guidance to corporate accounting team in resolving complex and/or unusual issues.
• Oversee all aspects of corporate tax compliance and reporting including, but not limited to, review of: monthly and quarterly tax provisions, tax returns prepared by third party preparer, estimated tax payments and tax footnotes/disclosures.
• Serve as a primary point of contact for tax preparers, auditors and third-party consultants.
• Review completed internal financial reports of all entities, variance analyses and supplemental schedules; draft financial statement commentary for board-level financial reporting packages; present results at quarterly Audit Committee meetings.
• Serve as a key point of contact for the quarterly and year-end external audit process while owning primary responsibility for the Company’s views on technical accounting matters.
• Accountable for the quarterly SEC reporting process including the review of complex financial statement schedules and the drafting of disclosure language and narrative.
• Collaborate with the CFO in the drafting of quarterly earnings releases.
• Act as a leader, motivator and team-builder of staff within the corporate accounting function.
• Maintain ultimate ownership of all corporate accounting software systems including, but not limited to, the general ledger and GL reconciliation solutions. Continually evaluate the adequacy of such systems and recommend new technologies to improve efficiency or streamline operations.
• Responsible for department budgets and other performance objectives.
• Create accounting strategies to maximize profits and analyze accounts to suggest improvements to reduce costs and increase profits.
• Oversee the process to provide financial information and reports that will assist business line managers in performing their duties.
• Demonstrate a positive reflection of the organization in public through their actions and behaviors.
• Maintain and ensure compliance standards by complying with all company policies and procedures.
• Complete other duties as assigned.

Education, Certification, License and Experience:

• CPA or equivalent required
• Bachelor’s degree in accounting required. Master’s degree preferred.
• Minimum 10 years of bank/financial institution experience including 5+ years at a public accounting firm.
• Expert level knowledge of corporate accounting, tax accounting, GAAP and bank regulatory requirements. Experience with insurance agency accounting preferred.
• Advanced skills in Microsoft Excel.

Skills and Knowledge:

• Has strong knowledge of theory, standards, and principles of accounting and their application to bank situations. Ability to research GAAP and regulatory guidance and applying those or any changes to the Company. Capability of developing and/or monitoring of internal controls, financial reporting, Securities and Exchange Commission filings and regulatory reporting.
• Responsible for knowing and ensuring compliance with applicable laws, regulations and guidelines, as detailed in policies that include but are not limited to Bank Secrecy Act and other applicable anti-money-laundering rules, Fair Lending,
• Community Reinvestment Act, Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act, and other laws and regulations as they pertain to the position.
• Proven ability to work without significant supervision.
• Effective communication skills to translate complex data into meaningful and easy to use information.
• Ability to communicate with staff, middle management, senior management and Board of Directors.
• Exceptional managerial and team building skills.
• Solid writing, analytical and problem solving skills.
• Ability to manage multiple concurrent projects.
• Ability to utilize technology in solving problems and performing duties.

This job operates in a professional office environment. Work is normally performed in a typical interior work environment which does not subject the employee to any hazardous or unpleasant elements.

Physical Requirements:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to speak or hear, stand or sit for long periods of time, open filing cabinets, walk, stoop or bend, use hands to handle or feel and reach with hands and arms. The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 10 pounds, occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds and complete tasks requiring manual dexterity. Ability to drive a vehicle for travel is required for the position.

Premier Financial Corporation is an Affirmative Action and Equal Opportunity employer. We consider all qualified applicants without regard to race, religion, color, sex, national origin, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability or any other legally protected status.

The above statements are intended to describe the essential functions of the job and the qualifications of the person assigned to it. They are not intended as an exhaustive list of all job duties, responsibilities and requirements. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change or new ones may be assigned at any time with or without notice. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. This job description does not constitute a contract of employment. Employment is “at will” and may be terminated at any time.