MetLife

Position: VP & Global Head of Technical Accounting Group

Location: 200 Park Avenue (preferred); Whippany, NJ; Bridgewater, NJ; Tampa, FL

Setting: Hybrid 

Reports to: SVP, Technical Accounting, Internal Controls, External Reporting

Travel: Less than 5%

The Team You Will Join

MetLife’s Technical Accounting Group (TAG) has the corporate-wide responsibility to:  

1. establish, monitor and provide assurance that the accounting policies of MetLife worldwide are in accordance with applicable authoritative guidance, 
2. partner with finance leadership and business unit personnel across all regions and lines of business to ensure timely and accurate implementation, interpretation and administration of these policies, and 
3. influence standard setters to ensure prospective changes to accounting principles fully consider the views of MetLife and the insurance industry.  

The Opportunity 

This is a global leadership role that reports to the Senior Vice President of Technical Accounting, Internal Controls and External Reporting (ACE).  

The Global Head of TAG will work in a leadership capacity to provide thought leadership at the forefront of important strategic finance initiatives and collaborate with Regional CFOs, Controllers and Actuaries to:

1. guide global accounting standards change and adoption activities (e.g., US GAAP, IFRS, US Statutory Accounting Principles), 
2. perform timely technical reviews of accounting matters relevant to current core reporting, as well as having focus in related areas such as M&A, planning & projections, and  
3. Implement best practices and high-quality documentation to support a global accounting policy function and accounting interpretations made across the businesses.

The Global Head of TAG will represent MetLife across insurance industry groups and will present at various conferences and education sessions. As such, this role requires significant insurance industry and product knowledge. The candidate for this position must have strong communication skills, global acumen, team leadership and talent development experience.  

How You’ll Help Us Build a Confident Future:

• Leading TAG’s ongoing technical accounting research, analysis and documentation of accounting matters that arise throughout the year related to US GAAP, IFRS and US Statutory Accounting Principles (SAP) for Insurance Companies.   
  1. Topical areas of relevance include:  insurance contracts, investments, derivatives, hedging, consolidation, fair value, foreign exchange, pensions, stock compensation, mergers & acquisitions, goodwill, tax and SEC reporting and planning and projections.
• Identifying and assessing technical accounting matters, alternatives, and appropriate conclusions for complex business transactions.   Communicating with business leaders in a clear manner that is easy to understand.
• Ensuring maintenance of MetLife’s written accounting policies and providing guidance and training throughout the organization on the application of such policies. 
• Working closely with finance leadership to manage strategic initiatives, influence accounting standards adoption and implement and operationalize ongoing best practices.  
  1. Initial strategic areas of focus will include technical leadership and support of implementation efforts for US GAAP Long-Duration Targeted Improvements and IFRS 17 - Insurance Contracts.
• Taking a lead role in drafting comment letters to regulators and accounting standard setters.
• Actively participating in industry working groups involved in interpreting, analyzing and commenting on developments to US GAAP, IFRS, and US STAT insurance accounting standards.
• Supporting timely interactions around audit and technical accounting issues with MetLife’s external auditors. 
• Seeking out and developing knowledge, and delivering training to develop the technical and leadership skills within TAG.
• Demonstrating excellent written and verbal communication skills across the TAG organization to meet the needs of both external and internal customers.

What You Need to Succeed (Required Qualifications):

• Broad and deep insurance technical accounting and financial reporting experience, including experience across global insurance industry practices, as well as SEC, US GAAP, US Statutory, and IFRS requirements.
• Demonstrated ability to lead and motivate teams through periods of change, analysis of complex accounting and issues and transactions and drive implementation of global best practices and procedures.
• Strong analysis, documentation and presentation skills – ability to explain and summarize complex concepts in accurate and practical terms, describe economic impacts, alternative accounting treatments and associated cost / benefits to senior stakeholders.
• Ability to work across global organization to lead and guide end to end management of accounting and reporting matters, including strong documentation and review of accounting alternatives and decisions.
• At least 15 years of experience within a public accounting firm and/or accounting policy function or similar group.
• CPA license required to be maintained Undergraduate degree required, MBA or other advanced degree preferred.

What Will Give You an Edge (Additional Skills)

• Financial services industry exposure a must, insurance industry preferred
• Global experience a plus