Senior Lead Accountant - Policy

KeyBank • Cleveland, OH

5d • $94,000 - $175,000 • Hybrid

About The Position

We are looking for a motivated and detail-oriented Senior Lead Accountant to support the development, implementation, and interpretation of accounting and regulatory policies across the bank. This role is ideal for a candidate with strong technical accounting knowledge. You will assist in analyzing new accounting standards, preparing technical documentation, and advising lines of business on accounting implications of transactions and products.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting or Finance; CPA or CPA candidate strongly preferred.
• 4–6 years of experience in public accounting (Big 4 preferred), the financial services industry, or other relevant experience.
• Solid understanding of U.S. GAAP; exposure to banking or financial instruments is a plus.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with attention to detail.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to manage multiple tasks and meet deadlines in a dynamic environment.
• Integrity and trust—exemplifies a high degree of honesty and maintains trustworthiness. Exercises principled judgment.
• Ethics and values—adheres to the highest standards in these areas and exhibits the ability to maintain them in the face of adversity.
• Functional/Technical skills—good understanding of the accounting and research skills necessary to address the numerous accounting issues encountered throughout Key.
• Customer focus—maintains an intense focus on clients and their service needs including proactively networking with individual clients in their assigned areas of responsibility.
• Timely decision making—promptly responds to client issues where possible or works to address issues requiring others involvement with the result of timely action on the particular issue.
• Action oriented—takes charge and independently pursues appropriate solutions to client issues.
• Written communications—demonstrated ability to communicate necessary information in a written form as appropriate.
• Interpersonal savvy—works productively with others particularly in situations where action from other individuals is necessary to achieve the desired results.
• Presentation skills—possesses the skills to effectively present work results and other issues to superiors and peers.
• Business acumen—understands the basic tenets of the financial services industry and has the ability to learn and understand the business issues of the various lines of business and other support areas within Key.
• Dealing with ambiguity—works well with issues that rather than having one right answer involve identifying and interpreting appropriate accounting guidance particularly in situations where none may exist.

Responsibilities

• Assist in researching and interpreting U.S. GAAP and regulatory accounting guidance.
• Support the drafting and maintenance of internal accounting policies and procedures.
• Analyze the accounting impact of new products, transactions, and regulatory changes.
• Prepare technical accounting memos and white papers under the guidance of senior team members.
• Collaborate with Finance, Risk, Legal, and business units to ensure consistent application of accounting policies.
• Monitor developments from standard-setting bodies (FASB, SEC) and summarize key impacts.
• Assist in the review and preparation of financial disclosures in Form 10-Q and 10-K, ensuring compliance with U.S. GAAP and SEC requirements.
• Support internal and external audit processes by providing documentation and technical support.
• Participate in special projects, including policy updates, system enhancements, and training initiatives.

Benefits

• This position is eligible to earn a base salary in the range of $94,000.00 - $175,000.00 annually.
• Placement within the pay range may differ based upon various factors, including but not limited to skills, experience and geographic location.
• Compensation for this role also includes eligibility for incentive compensation subject to individual and company performance.
• Please click here for a list of benefits for which this position is eligible.
• Key has implemented an approach to employee workspaces which prioritizes in-office presence, while providing flexible options in circumstances where roles can be performed effectively in a mobile environment.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Number of Employees: 5,001-10,000 employees