About the position
Vanguard is seeking a strategic and consultative Director of Fund Accounting Policy to own the development, implementation, and oversight of complex global accounting and disclosure policies. This high-impact role focuses on improving financial accounting operations across the enterprise by advising and guiding teams—not by performing operational tasks directly. While this is not a direct people leadership role, success in this position requires the ability to lead cross-functional initiatives, manage projects, and influence partners. The ideal candidate will bring deep technical accounting expertise, strong analytical and communication skills, and a strategic approach that aligns accounting practices with broader business goals.
Responsibilities
• Oversees, establishes, and formally documents accounting policies and business issues, supports positions taken, and identifies differences between regulatory reporting regulation equivalents.
• Provides leadership on implementation of ambiguous and complex accounting and reporting policies.
• Conducts technical accounting research on complex accounting questions and topics.
• Communicates conclusions to accountants, management, and external auditors.
• Leads efforts to develop, update, and present accounting training courses to accounting staff and management.
• Provides subject matter expertise to internal business clients on the application of complex accounting policies and oversees policy standards to ensure compliance.
• Maintains broad and consistent knowledge of accounting policy and awareness of current industry issues, incorporating changing business needs into support solutions.
• Monitors upcoming accounting standards and upcoming financial reporting regulations.
• Communicates new standards and rules, and provides insight into the impact on Vanguard, to accountants and management.
• Interfaces with external parties on assessing the impact of accounting and regulatory guidance through involvement in industry committees and industry discussions.
• Assists in drafting comment letters and preparing for attendance at industry events.
• Participates in special projects and performs other duties as assigned.
Requirements
• Minimum of 8 years of experience in an accounting and financial reporting environment for financial services companies.
• Technical expertise in the investment management industry, or strong familiarity coupled with expertise in a comparably regulated industry like banking or broker-dealers.
• Undergraduate degree required, Finance or Accounting preferred.
• Active CPA required (or equivalent international designation such as CGMA or Chartered Accountant).
• Strong knowledge of GAAP, IFRS, and regulatory frameworks (e.g., SEC, SOX).
• Proven ability to lead cross-functional projects and influence without direct authority.
• Excellent analytical, communication, and documentation skills.
• Experience advising complex accounting issues and implementing policy changes.
Nice-to-haves
• Graduate degree a plus.