Executive Director, Technical Accounting

Bristol Myers Squibb • Princeton, NJ

3d

About The Position

Challenging. Meaningful. Life-changing. Those aren’t words that are usually associated with a job. But working at Bristol Myers Squibb is anything but usual. Here, uniquely interesting work happens every day, in every department. From optimizing a production line to the latest breakthroughs in cell therapy, this is work that transforms the lives of patients, and the careers of those who do it. You’ll get the chance to grow and thrive through opportunities uncommon in scale and scope, alongside high-achieving teams. Take your career farther than you thought possible. Bristol Myers Squibb recognizes the importance of balance and flexibility in our work environment. We offer a wide variety of competitive benefits, services and programs that provide our employees with the resources to pursue their goals, both at work and in their personal lives. Read more: careers.bms.com/working-with-us . The Executive Director, Technical Accounting, will play a pivotal role in leading the enterprise’s technical accounting function, ensuring global compliance with accounting standards, and driving excellence in financial reporting and governance. This leader will oversee the development, implementation, and continuous improvement of technical accounting policies and procedures, serve as a key advisor to senior leadership, and lead strategic projects that advance the organization’s accounting capabilities and transformation agenda.

Requirements

• At least 15+ years of demonstrated and highly successful experience in auditing and accounting roles of progressively increasing responsibility
• Significant experience at a Big Four public accounting firm with a proven track record in technical accounting, complex transactions, and advisory services for large, multinational organizations.
• Strong and decisive transformational leadership skills and equipped to lead a global organization
• Highly collaborative with proven ability to build and maintain strong relationships with various external stakeholders.
• Strategic leadership along with people and team leadership skills and ability to partner, communicate and influence at the most senior levels within the Finance function.
• Agile and strategic mindset with the ability to think critically and solve complex problems.
• Impeccable communication skills at various levels of the company through oral, written and slide formats – can make the complex seem clear and compelling – able to articulate the vision, strategy, approach as well as risks and opportunities.
• Bold and aspirational leader who sets the highest standards, brings out the best in others and mentors employees across the organization.
• Not reluctant set and maintain the highest standards while rewarding great achievements, encouraging risk-taking, while challenging a team to develop new capabilities to deliver against high standards today and in the future.
• Bachelor’s degree required; master’s degree preferred.
• Certified Public Accountant (CPA)

Responsibilities

• Lead the Technical Accounting, setting the vision and strategy for technical accounting governance, policy, and compliance across all regions.
• Ensure consistent application of US GAAP and other relevant accounting standards globally, implementing best practices and standardized procedures.
• Oversee technical accounting research, issue identification, resolution, and documentation for complex transactions and emerging topics.
• Lead accounting treatment for acquisitions, divestitures, licensing, and partnership deals.
• Collaborate closely with Finance, Business Development, Legal, Tax and other relevant functions
• Maintain effective internal controls and technical accounting policies to ensure the integrity of financial transactions and reporting.
• Contribute to technical analysis of SEC filing disclosures (including Forms 10-K, 10-Q and 8-K), ensuring accuracy, completeness, and compliance with all relevant accounting standards and regulatory requirements; collaborate with cross-functional teams to address complex disclosure issues and support transparent financial reporting.
• Coordinate and manage relationships with external auditors and regulatory bodies regarding technical accounting matters.
• Support the VP & Chief Accountant in preparing materials for the Audit Committee and Board of Directors, including technical accounting updates and risk assessments.
• Lead, manage, and mentor technical accounting professionals, fostering a collaborative, high-performance, and learning-focused culture.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives in technical accounting processes, systems, and reporting to enhance efficiency, accuracy, and transparency.
• Align with key stakeholders across Finance (Controllership, FP&A, Tax, etc.) and non-Finance functions to ensure technical accounting processes support business performance.
• Oversee the integration and optimization of accounting systems and technologies to enhance data accuracy, timeliness, and accessibility.
• Attract, retain, and develop a high-performing technical accounting team globally.
• Establish and maintain strong relationships with senior leadership and external stakeholders.
• Identify opportunities for process optimization, automation, and streamlining to drive efficiency and manage risk.

Benefits

• Health Coverage: Medical, pharmacy, dental, and vision care.
• Wellbeing Support: Programs such as BMS Well-Being Account, BMS Living Life Better, and Employee Assistance Programs (EAP).
• Financial Well-being and Protection: 401(k) plan, short- and long-term disability, life insurance, accident insurance, supplemental health insurance, business travel protection, personal liability protection, identity theft benefit, legal support, and survivor support.
• Work-life benefits include: Paid Time Off US Exempt Employees: flexible time off (unlimited, with manager approval, 11 paid national holidays (not applicable to employees in Phoenix, AZ, Puerto Rico or Rayzebio employees) Phoenix, AZ, Puerto Rico and Rayzebio Exempt, Non-Exempt, Hourly Employees: 160 hours annual paid vacation for new hires with manager approval, 11 national holidays, and 3 optional holidays Based on eligibility, additional time off for employees may include unlimited paid sick time, up to 2 paid volunteer days per year, summer hours flexibility, leaves of absence for medical, personal, parental, caregiver, bereavement, and military needs and an annual Global Shutdown between Christmas and New Years Day. All global employees full and part-time who are actively employed at and paid directly by BMS at the end of the calendar year are eligible to take advantage of the Global Shutdown.
• Eligibility Disclosure: T he summer hours program is for United States (U.S.) office-based employees due to the unique nature of their work. Summer hours are generally not available for field sales and manufacturing operations and may also be limited for the capability centers. Employees in remote-by-design or lab-based roles may be eligible for summer hours, depending on the nature of their work, and should discuss eligibility with their manager. Employees covered under a collective bargaining agreement should consult that document to determine if they are eligible. Contractors, leased workers and other service providers are not eligible to participate in the program.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Executive