Director, Financial Reporting, Merrill Lynch US Banks

Department Description: Merrill Lynch is one of the world’s leading financial management and advisory companies, with offices in 40 countries and total client assets of over $1.5 trillion.  As an investment bank, Merrill Lynch is a leading global leader and underwriter of securities and derivatives across a broad range of asset classes, and serves as a strategic advisor to corporations, governments, institutions and individuals worldwide.  Merrill Lynch owns just under half of BlackRock, one of the world's largest publicly traded investment management companies with approximately $1 trillion in assets under management.In short, Merrill Lynch is a fast and agile organization – able to capitalize quickly on a wide range of market opportunities across economic cycles.  The company places a high value on talent and on maintaining a culture defined by meritocracy.  For these reasons, it is deeply committed to professional development, opportunity and accountability at all levels of the organization.  Merrill Lynch’s commercial bank subsidiaries report assets in excess of $150 billion globally, including over $100 billion in the United States.  Merrill Lynch places a high value on talent and is deeply committed to the professional development of its employees and providing opportunities to strong performers.Brief Description: The Merrill Lynch Banking Finance Group is seeking a Director of Financial Reporting to design and prepare external and internal financial reporting of Merrill Lynch Bank USA and Merrill Lynch Bank & Trust, FSB including annual audited financial statements, Call Reports and Thrift Financial Reports, and board financial packages.Job Responsibilities: The Director of Financial Reporting has five critical areas of responsibility:   The design and preparation of the external and internal financial reporting of Merrill Lynch Bank USA and Merrill Lynch Bank & Trust, FSB including annual audited financial statements, Call Reports and Thrift Financial Reports, and board financial packages. Oversight and management of annual internal control self assessment of the two banks as required by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation Improvement Act and the Sarbanes Oxley Act. Design and control of the banks’ chart of accounts and hierarchies used to facilitate meeting our reporting responsibilities.  Plan and direct technology development efforts to facilitate timely, reliable, and useful delivery of financial information. Oversight of the US Bank Group’s account reconciliation and control processes and tools. The Director of Financial Reporting will also research reporting requirements for new bank products or resulting from new guidance.  Working with Merrill Lynch’s Accounting Policy Group, the Director of Financial Reporting will advise the US Banking Group’s CFO, and the individual bank CFO’s, on accounting and reporting matters relevant to the banks.  The position also manages the Bank Group’s line of business reporting and analysis.  The Director of Financial Reporting has a staff of seven to assist in achieving the group’s objectives in these areas of responsibility.  In addition, the Director of Financial Reporting leverages the work of over 150 accountants across numerous legal entities and geographic areas in successfully achieving the group’s objectives.Qualifications:Bachelor’s degree and CPA certification are required. Controller or Reporting Manager experience in a financial services company, or senior manager experience in public accounting serving financial services companies. At least 12 years experience working in the financial services industry, or auditing financial services companies. Strong knowledge of: Technical accounting literature as it applies to banking activities, especially accounting for all aspects of loans, sales of financial instruments, accounting for investments and derivatives, securitizations accounting, and accounting for the allowance for loan and lease losses. SEC and regulatory reporting requirements and practices of large insured depository institutions. Key safety and soundness laws and regulations applicable to banks, especially those applicable to risk-based capital and qualified thrift lender requirements.  Bank operations, especially internal controls typical of complex banking organizations, as well as SOX and FDICIA internal control assessment and reporting requirements. Applications of technology to bank accounting and reporting activities.· Ability to convey a clear course and sense of direction and understand the environment in which they operate.· Ability to work in a diverse team environment, build consensus, and enlist support across business lines in an advisory capacity.· Outstanding leadership and management skills with the ability to attract, develop, and mentor high caliber performers and to build and inspire a high performing organization.· Ability to work with a high energy level in an unstructured, fast-paced, and often ambiguous work environment, and navigate organizational structures with sensitivity and finesse.· Results driven, ensuring short-term team goals are achieved that support long-term organizational goals with an appropriate sense of urgency.· Excellent presentation and communication skills.· Strong analytical skills focused on problem solving and process improvement.· Innovative and creative thinking required to develop solutions to myriad challenges and situations.· Positive influencing skills, both verbally and through preparation of written materials.Merrill Lynch is an Equal Opportunity Employer. The Firm and its affiliates do not discriminate in employment because of race, color, religion, gender, national origin, veteran status, disability, age, citizenship, marital or domestic/civil partnership status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression or because of any other criteria prohibited under controlling federal, state or local law. Please register and apply using this link : Merrill Lynch Careers Company Description: Merrill Lynch is one of the world's leading wealth management, capital markets and advisory companies, with offices in 38 countries and territories and total client assets of almost $2.0 trillion.Merrill Lynch offers a broad range of services to private clients, small businesses, and institutions and corporations, organizing its activities into two interrelated business segments - Global Markets & Investment Banking and Global Wealth Management, which is comprised of Global Private Client and Global Investment Management. As an investment bank, it is a leading global trader and underwriter of securities and derivatives across a broad range of asset classes and serves as a strategic advisor to corporations, governments, institutions and individuals worldwide.Merrill Lynch owns approximately half of BlackRock, one of the world's largest publicly traded investment management companies, with more than $1 trillion in assets under management.We're growing our business by helping clients grow theirs.Our client relationships are among our greatest competitive assets. We deepen and enrich these relationships through disciplined growth, innovation, and seamless execution.