Sr Director, Global Technical Accounting and Reporting

Sr. Director, Global Technical Accounting and Reporting

Imagine how your ideas and expertise can change a patient’s life. Patients are at the heart of what we do at Edwards Lifesciences. Our Finance and Accounting teams work hard to optimize our current and long-term success and enable our ongoing strategy of innovation, leadership, and focus. As part of the team, whether providing analysis, forecasting, or reporting financial information, your application of accurate financial business practices will play a fundamental role in how we impact the quality of life for patients all over the world.

Position Summary:  Provide leadership and drive the financial strategy for the Corporate Controllership team including all associated finance teams or functional teams supporting. Ensures the correct application of U.S. GAAP and accuracy, quality and compliance of the Company's financial reporting. Partner with Business Unit and Regional finance representatives to provide guidance on various areas of accounting as well as compliance with the Company's Global Policies.

How you will make an impact: 

• Provide financial leadership to a team of technical accounting, M&A accounting and external reporting professionals to ensure Edwards’ filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) are accurate and timely and Edwards’ complex and technical accounting transactions are accounted for in compliance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (“GAAP”).

• Serve as a point of contact to executive leadership in providing guidance on a broad range of accounting areas while leveraging expanded experience, in accordance with U.S GAAP and company policy. Accountable for all related SOX narratives and controls in areas of responsibility.

• Participate in executive decisions for change to governance, policies, and drive procedures that have immediate effects on the company’s operational and financial results. 

• Manage and direct team members and partner with multiple key stakeholders to prepare for SEC filings (10-K, 10-Q, 11-K, etc.), including XBRL compliance and other statutory reporting requirements.

• Oversee or provide input to, as required, the preparation of the annual report, proxy and quarterly earnings releases. Execute or oversee activities to gather, research, analyze data, write narratives, and provide recommendations.

• Manage team members and ensure overall accountability for the financial close procedures, as needed, on a monthly, quarterly, and annual basis, including preparation of journal entries, account reconciliations, and other analyses related to complex accounting areas.

• Complex accounting areas include all equity-related transactions, stock-based compensation, earnings per share calculations, derivatives, investments, pension, contingent consideration, and other technical accounting transactions.

• Oversee the preparation of externally reported financial statements (consolidated balance sheet, consolidated income statement, statement of cash flows, statement of stockholder’s equity, statement of other comprehensive income, and related financial statement disclosures), management discussion and analysis and other SEC disclosures.

• Review disclosure checklists to ensure compliance with GAAP and SEC requirements. Direct and oversee global finance teams in accounting for leases, including monitoring GAAP compliance for new and existing leases, modifications, early-terminations, tenant improvement allowances/construction, asset retirement obligations, and other complex topics. 

• Oversee preparation of worldwide lease roll forward.

• Consultation with Legal, Investor Relations, Business Development, Treasury, Human Resources, and global finance teams in performing job responsibilities. Determines Edwards position on accounting rules and writing position papers to guide and defend our practices. Lead and conduct technical accounting research related to highly complex transactions using third party resources or databases.

• Interpret accounting guidance and apply technical accounting rules to determine and support proper accounting treatment.

• Review and direct the preparation of technical accounting memos that document the Company's position in a comprehensive, clear and concise manner.

• Interface with internal and external auditors and vendors to respond to questions. Work with multiple key stakeholders to determine accounting for business combinations, asset acquisitions, and other complex transactions.

• Identify and monitor status of variable interest entities and ensure proper accounting treatment.

• Ensure knowledge transfer and compliance in global finance and other departments with respect to the impact