Director, Accounting Policy

What is the opportunity?

The Director, Accounting Policy is a key leader in the Accounting Policy team, developing and presenting executive materials and collaborating with stakeholders across the CFO Group, Group Risk Management, and other enterprise functions on business critical initiatives. This is an ideal position from which to develop an understanding of RBC's significant business issues, build technical and leadership skills and develop strong relationships across the Bank.

As part of the Chief Accountant's Group in our Toronto head office, you will be part of a collaborative team culture that strives to challenge ourselves to be our best, think progressively to keep growing, and work together to deliver collective results.

The Accounting Policy function serves a critical role by providing insights & advice on complex accounting issues through a strategic lens. We are trusted business advisors who evaluate and advise on accounting impacts to RBC's businesses, drive change to operationalize accounting policies, structure transactions to optimize results and actively participate in industry advocacy on significant issues. We also play a significant role in telling the story of RBC's financial results to the public through the quarterly Report to Shareholders and Annual Report.

You would be a great match for this role if you have experience navigating complex business issues and have analyzed financial and accounting implications involving a variety of stakeholders. You might describe yourself as a self-starter, are able to investigate issues in detail, step back and understand the business lens at a bird's eye view, and can effectively communicate difficult concepts to senior executives.

What will you do?

• Effectively tell the RBC story in the Audit Committee materials for senior finance executives with a business lens, focusing on key judgment areas. Coordinate with various stakeholders, including Investor Relations, Performance Management, Corporate Treasury, Chief Controls Office and Group Risk Management, among others, to incorporate key updates on financial performance, reporting and disclosures, market insights and finance projects with a focus on elevating and highlighting the role of finance. Own the process and bring your unique perspective to set ambitious goals, implement process improvements and challenge the status quo while fostering strong partnerships
• Provide oversight of and insights into our audit and audit-related fees, enabling fee discussions with our external auditors in partnership with the Finance and Procurement teams, and providing executive reporting to the Audit Committee
• Provide accounting advisory services to internal stakeholders across RBC by advising on complex accounting issues, including special projects, and working with key stakeholders to ensure conclusions are consistent with our corporate accounting policies
• Communicate financial and organizational impacts and status updates to senior finance executives
• Support our quarterly external reporting process as a key member of the team in managing the preparation and delivery of critical elements of our reporting, including reviewing and drafting certain quarterly and annual disclosures, and partnering with key stakeholders to ensure the accuracy and quality of our disclosures
• Liaise with industry peers on accounting matters as needed through industry associations (e.g., Canadian Bankers Association)
• Liaise with the external and internal auditors on financial accounting and reporting policy issues, as needed
• Shape future accounting and disclosure requirements by supporting advocacy efforts on accounting-related issues, including providing comments on new Discussion Papers or Exposure Drafts issued by accounting and regulatory bodies
• Contribute to a collaborative, team-first environment and bring your unique perspective and curiosity to set ambitious goals and drive process improvement initiatives to challenge the status quo

What do you need to succeed?

Must-have

• Chartered Professional Accountant designation
• 7+ years of working experience in a financial services and/or accounting policy or similar role
• Experience with financial reporting
• Strong analytical, organizational and problem solving skills - ability to manage multiple priorities, including stakeholdering and lead independently, while knowing when to escalate and ask for support
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including ability to communicate effectively to senior executives, presenting accounting items in a commercial context
• Strong interpersonal skills - specifically, able to act as change agent, facilitator and collaborator
• Proactive and forward-thinking approach

Nice-to-have

• Previous banking experience with specific exposure to relevant complex accounting topics such as impairment of financial and non-financial assets including goodwill and intangibles, leasing, premises and equipment, pensions and share- based compensation and/or taxation is highly desirable
• Working knowledge of current U.S. GAAP is an asset
• Strong understanding of financial institutions' disclosure requirements is highly desirable
• Previous experience with managing the external auditor relationship is highly beneficial

What's in it for you?

We thrive on the challenge to be our best, progressive thinking to keep growing, and working together to deliver trusted advice to help our clients thrive and communities prosper. We care about each other, reaching our potential, making a difference to our communities, and achieving success that is mutual.

• Opportunity to do varied and intellectually challenging work and gain exposure to a wide range of stakeholders across the enterprise.
• Opportunity to own an end-to-end process and drive positive change through your leadership.
• A comprehensive Total Rewards Program including bonuses, flexible benefits and competitive compensation
• Leaders and mentors who support your development through coaching and managing opportunities
• Work in a dynamic, collaborative, progressive, and high-performing team
• Learning opportunities to help you sharpen your leadership skills in addition to hands-on experience in the global, fast-changing business world

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