SVP - Chief Accounting Officer

PeoplesBank•Holyoke, MA

13d

About The Position

PeoplesBancorp, MHC—parent company to PeoplesBank and Cornerstone Bank—is seeking an experienced and strategic SVP Chief Accounting Officer to lead the organization’s accounting and financial reporting functions. This senior leader will oversee all aspects of GAAP‑compliant financial management, including the general ledger, internal and external reporting, budgeting, accounts payable, reconciliations, corporate tax compliance, month‑end close, internal controls, and audit coordination. Serving as a key partner to the CFO, the Chief Accounting Officer will guide the accounting teams across multiple entities, provide technical accounting expertise, ensure strong financial controls under FDICIA, and deliver timely, accurate financial insights that support executive decision‑making. This role also ensures effective management of ACL, BOLI, tax credit programs, and benefit/retirement plan accounting, while fostering a culture of continuous improvement, operational excellence, and leadership development within the department.

Requirements

Four-year degree and Five years accounting experience or an equivalent combination of education and experience
Five+ years of relevant accounting leadership experience
Organized and detail oriented; able to meet deadlines and handle multiple priorities
Strong financial acumen
Excellent problem-solving skills and ability to identify opportunities for improvement
Corporate tax experience
SOX/FDICIA Internal Controls
Experience managing people and complex financial functions
Knowledge of computer applications including Word, Excel and Accounting software.

Nice To Haves

CPA and bank accounting experience preferred
Certified Public Accounting designation preferred.

Responsibilities

Oversee the Accounting departments at PeoplesBank and Cornerstone Bank, ensuring the funds disbursement, allowance for credit losses (ACL), bank owned life insurance (BOLI), capital/dividends, expense reimbursement and tax credit policies are effectively managed, and that internal/external financial reporting is timely and accurate.
Provide leadership and oversight for Controller (Cornerstone) and Asst. Controller (PeoplesBank) acting in a controller capacity for PeoplesBank.
Maintain the general ledger and other accounting systems to ensure accurate reporting and effective financial controls in accordance with GAAP. Provide management with guidance on any relevant changes to GAAP and perform research as necessary on new or proposed services/transactions to ensure compliance with GAAP.
Oversee internal and external financial reporting, ensuring appropriate and timely filings with applicable report recipients while providing senior management with relevant and timely financial reports for decision making.
Report on accounting related items to management committees, the Board of Directors, the Board of Trustees and Board sub-committees as necessary or requested by the CFO.
Oversee the annual non-interest income/expense budgeting process, establishing timelines and deliverables, producing accurate and timely results. Monitor and update the budget, periodically reforecasting. Identify and recommend improvements to the budget process.
Oversee the ACL, ensuring compliance with GAAP and timely/accurate reporting.
Oversee the BOLI program, ensuring regulatory and GAAP compliance.
Assist the CFO in establishing and developing accounting policies, processes and procedures that support the Corporate Services function for the MHC.
Supervise daily activities of department personnel. Recommend staffing, initiates training, and provides overall coaching and mentoring of accounting and reporting staff.
Perform administrative oversight of the general ledger reconciliation process, including the federal reserve and other correspondent bank accounts.
Manage corporate tax compliance functions, including facilitating and tracking tax credit investments, quarterly estimated tax payments, completion and submission of corporate tax filings for the MHC and its subsidiaries.
Manage and direct all financial audits performed by regulators, internal and external auditors and external tax authorities.
Maintain accounting for all benefit and retirement compensation plans. Review and interpret all actuarial reports provided for retirement plans.
Implement and maintain appropriate accounting/finance internal controls over financial reporting under FDICIA.
Analyze financial and operational results and provide timely input/recommendations for areas of success, as well as improvement. Assist in the implementation of recommendations where appropriate.
Establish and maintain department standards for the day-to-day operations within the accounting departments, evaluate areas for improvement and implement solutions to ensure an effective/efficient work environment.
Engage the accounting department in efforts to improve department operation and act as a resource for their development; assist in the development of a continuous improvement mindset by setting the example for this way of thinking and incenting this behavior within the team.
Complete special assignments necessary to support business strategy; Perform other related duties as required and assigned.
Demonstrate behaviors which are aligned with the organization's desired culture and values.
Complete annual compliance training and testing to comply with bank, federal, and state regulations. Comply with Bank/Company Policies and Procedures. Adhere to departmental and company-wide service standards.
Other related duties as assigned.