Manager, Accounting Research & Policy
About The Position
Serve as a senior individual contributor and authoritative technical accounting strategist for CME Group, reporting directly to the Executive Director, Accounting Research & Operations. The role leads technical accounting research, develops authoritative position papers, and advises business units on the financial implications of routine and non-routine corporate transactions. It partners with financial reporting, corporate accounting, and executive leadership to support quarterly and annual SEC compliance and adoption of emerging accounting standards. The position evaluates proposed mergers, acquisitions, new products, and strategic investments; contributes to SEC filing disclosures; works with external auditors; maintains accounting policies and research resources; and guides teams through technical accounting changes. It also monitors regulatory developments, represents CME Group’s position through comment letters, and champions technology and process improvements. This is a hybrid position requiring three days on-site in CME Group’s Chicago office.
Requirements
- Active Certified Public Accountant (CPA) license.
- At least 4 years of progressive technical accounting, policy research, and SEC reporting experience.
- Bachelor’s or advanced degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related discipline.
- Comprehensive knowledge of authoritative U.S. GAAP literature.
- Proven ability to write concise, impactful technical memorandums and executive summaries for senior leadership.
- Prior accounting experience in financial services or public accounting serving financial sector clients.
- Ability to lead cross-functional change management when interpreting and operationalizing new accounting standards across diverse business units.
- Advanced proficiency with productivity platforms, including Google Workspace (Docs, Sheets, Slides) and Microsoft Office.
Nice To Haves
- Working familiarity with IFRS.
- Hands-on experience with Workiva (Wdesk), Workday, and SharePoint.
Responsibilities
- Lead technical accounting research across routine and complex transactions under authoritative U.S. GAAP.
- Prepare executive-ready accounting position papers documenting methodologies, technical interpretations, and conclusions.
- Advise business units and functional leaders on accounting implications and align strategic initiatives with corporate financial standards.
- Evaluate the financial structure of proposed mergers, acquisitions, new products, and strategic investments submitted for Executive Leadership and Board review.
- Author and review financial statement footnote disclosures and MD&A contributions for quarterly and annual SEC filings.
- Direct technical accounting interactions with external auditors to support alignment and timely resolution of accounting considerations.
- Curate and modernize the internal technical accounting research repository, synthesizing new standards and authoritative guidance.
- Monitor emerging FASB and SEC regulatory initiatives, evaluate their organizational impact, and draft formal comment letters representing CME Group’s position.
- Establish, update, and maintain a corporate accounting policy manual reflecting current regulatory standards.
- Deliver educational presentations and implementation frameworks to guide cross-functional teams through technical accounting transitions.
- Champion reporting technology enhancements and process automation to improve research workflow efficiency.
Benefits
- Competitive salary and comprehensive benefits package.
- Annual target bonus opportunity.
- Opportunity to become a company owner through a broad-based equity program.
- Comprehensive health coverage.
- Retirement package including a 401(k) and an active pension plan.
- Education reimbursement.
- Paid time off.
- Mental health benefit.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Manager
