Director, Accounting Standards

Merck•Rahway, NJ

2d•Hybrid

About The Position

We are seeking a highly motivated Director, Accounting Standards, who’s primary responsibility will be to educate the organization around the restructuring requirements, monitoring and reviewing the activity of our Company's existing restructuring plans, as owned and executed by the business functions, and ensure accounting principles are interpreted properly and consistently applied with respect to the plans. This individual will also monitor integration and acquisition related costs and ensure appropriate budgeting, tracking and reporting of such costs. This individual needs to exhibit a high degree of business acumen and be able to interpret the impact of various contractual agreements, shifts in forecasting, and changes in day-to-day operations and/or the restructuring plan itself and how these events are reflected in the Company’s accounting for its restructuring plans and ultimately its financial statements. This role, while based in the US, has global reach to ensure that finance and business colleagues around the globe have appropriate and consistent technical accounting guidance with respect to restructuring and integration. The individual in the role is a trusted business partner/ advisor to a variety of groups including Research and Development, the Manufacturing Division, Global Human Health, Animal Health divisional finance teams, Treasury as well as colleagues in the local markets. Communication skills are particularly important as the individual in this role must articulate how the restructuring accounting framework is applied across the organization, including to senior finance leaders. In addition, this role is an important interface with the Company’s external auditors. This individual will be responsible for the drafting and reviewing various elements of external reporting and financial reporting with respect to restructuring, including, but not limited to, footnote disclosures included within the form 10-K and 10-Q, quarterly (or more frequent) presentations to the Global Controller and Audit Committee, as necessary, and various other forms of communication. Regarding integration and acquisition related costs, the individual will be responsible for tracking teams’ integration plans and responsible for forecasting adjustments throughout the year and will leverage their knowledge of the various cost types to provide visibility and reporting to various stakeholders.

Requirements

A minimum of 10 years of demonstrated experience in an accounting related role, internal audit or Big 4 public accounting
Strong technical accounting, analytical and computer skills
Ability to work under pressure to deliver high-quality results for specific deadlines
Ability to work well independently, as well as a team player, and manage large projects
Ability to collaborate across multiple business units and communicate clearly and concisely the various accounting requirements
Ability to articulate accounting judgments to finance leadership
Proficiency in Excel
Solid leadership and managerial skills
CPA

Responsibilities

Serve as the primary point of contact for accounting matters related to restructuring programs and the monitoring of spend related to integration activities and acquisition-related expenses.
Lead the application of accounting principles applying deep technical accounting knowledge and business acumen to support restructuring activities.
Monitor restructuring programs and integration activities in partnership with business, Finance, and project teams to identify accounting implications and ensure timely recognition, measurement, and disclosure.
Provide guidance to, and collaborate with, the various disciplines around the Company, including the CFO, Controller, Tax, Treasury, Divisional Finance, Consolidations, Internal Audit, Local Country Finance, etc. around the interpretation and application of the restructuring accounting framework.
Partner with Business Development Accounting Standards to monitor and track integration plans and assist in forecasting integration/acquisition related spending for purposes of external reporting
Develop, update, and maintain accounting policies and guidance related to restructuring, integration, and acquisition costs, ensuring alignment with evolving standards and regulatory expectations.
Prepare and/or review technical accounting memos, documentation, and position papers on complex restructuring and integration transactions for internal and external audit purposes.
Prepare and/or review footnote disclosures included within the form 10-K and 10-Q, quarterly (or more frequent) presentations to the Global Controller and Audit Committee, as necessary, and various other forms of communication with respect to restructuring.
Collaborate with internal and external auditors, providing evidence and explanations to support accounting conclusions and reconciliations.
Identify process improvement opportunities within the accounting and reporting processes for restructuring and integration, and drive implementation of best practices and best in class internal controls.
Maintain compliance with established Finance policies and procedures, internal controls, and Sarbanes-Oxley (S404) requirements.
Partner with Investor Relations and Corporate Reporting teams to ensure clear, transparent, and compliant disclosures related to restructuring programs and integration/acquisition activity in financial statements and management reports.
Develop data monitoring dashboards for use in the tracking of restructuring and integration/acquisition related costs.