Head of Accounting Policy

Head Of Accounting Policy

Mechanics Bank is currently searching for an Head of Accounting Policy. Here at Mechanics Bank, we value connection, partnership, long term relationships and working together in person. This role will be working onsite at our Walnut Creek HQ.

The Head of Accounting Policy is a critical role responsible for establishing, maintaining, and communicating the bank's accounting policies in accordance with regulatory guidance and industry best practices. This role serves as the bank's internal technical accounting expert, with significant focus on documenting accounting positions and leading the bank's technical accounting framework, including the creating and maintenance of the CECL technical memos and related documentation.

What You Will Do:

Technical Accounting & Policy Development

• Lead the development, implementation, and governance of the bank's accounting policies in alignment with regulatory expectations and industry standards.
• Prepare and maintain technical accounting memos, including complex assessments related to CECL, fair value, leases, consolidations, and other specialized banking functions.
• Serve as the bank's subject matter expert on CECL, providing guidance on methodology, assumptions, modeling documentation, disclosures, and ongoing monitoring.
• Document account positions for new or unusual transactions, business initiatives, product launches, or corporate actions.

CECL Ownership & Governance

• Collaborate with Credit and Risk teams to ensure appropriate CECL application, governance, and documentation.
• Own all CECL technical documentation, including rationale for key assumptions, model changes, overlays, qualitative factors, and model validation findings.
• Review CECL results, ensuring consistency with accounting standards and regulatory expectations.
• Partner with internal and external auditors to support CECL audit readiness and respond to requests.

Leadership & Advisory

• Advise executive management on new accounting standards, emerging guidance, and industry developments.
• Evaluate the financial reporting implications of new products, contract structures, and strategic initiatives.
• Support the SEC Reporting team on complex disclosures, footnotes, and regulatory findings (10-K, 10-Q).

Monitoring & Compliance

• Monitor FASB, SEC, and banking regulatory developments; assess the impact to the bank and lead any necessary implementation efforts.
• Maintain a repository of accounting policies and technical memos, ensuring accuracy and audit-readiness.
• Strengthen internal controls for accounting policy and documentation and technical accounting conclusions.

Who You Are:

• Bachelor's Degree in Business, Finance, Accounting or related field preferred.
• CPA required.
• 10 years of relevant experience in technical accounting, accounting policy, public accounting, or SEC reporting required. Ideally within financial services or banking.
• 5 years of leadership experience required.
• Deep and current knowledge of U.S. GAAP, CECL, financial instruments, and SEC reporting requirements.
• Prior experience drafting technical accounting memos and interpreting complex accounting standards.
• Experience working closely with CECL modeling teams or credit risk teams.
• Optimizes Work Process - Knowing the most effective and efficient processes to get things done, with a focus on continuous improvement.
• Financial Acumen - Interpreting and applying understanding of key financial indicators to make better business decisions.
• Decision Quality - Making good and timely decisions that keep the organization moving forward.
• Travel required: 0-10%

ADA Requirements:

• The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.
• The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit and talk or hear, and use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools, or controls.
• The employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; reach with hands and arms; and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl.
• The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 10 pounds.
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision.
• The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

Pay Range: $160,000 - 220,000 annually

AIP/Bonus: Up to 25%

Our comprehensive employee benefits program is designed for you to live your best life at work, home, and everywhere in between. Employees working 25 hours or more per week are eligible for health benefits effective the first day of the month following or coinciding with their date of hire. Benefits package includes:

• Medical, prescription, dental, and vision coverage for employees and their eligible family members
• Employer paid Employee Assistance Program, Life Insurance, AD&D, and Disability benefits
• Health Savings Account with employer contribution
• Healthcare and Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts and Commuter/Parking Benefit
• 401(k) and Roth 401(k) with company contribution
• 529 Education Savings plan, Tuition Reimbursement Program and Student Loan Assistance Program
• Supplemental Health plans, Voluntary Legal and Identity Theft Services
• 11 paid holidays, paid Sick days (accrual of one hour for every 30 hours worked), up to 25 paid vacation days, and 16 hours of paid volunteer time throughout the calendar year
• Free personal checking and savings account; Discounted rates on primary residence loan with $0 origination fees (restrictions apply)

Final compensation package will be determined by the work experience, education, and/or skill level of the applicant along with internal equity and alignment with geographic market data.

• Mechanics Bank is an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, sex, sexual orientation, religion, national origin, age, genetic information, veteran status, or on the basis of disability, gender identity, sexual orientation or other bases prohibited by applicable law.
• Please view Equal Employment Opportunity Posters provided by OFCCP here.
• To learn more about Mechanics Bank's California privacy and security policies, including your right to a Notice At Collection as a California Resident, please visit California Privacy Policy for Prospective Employees | Mechanics Bank.

[1] The benefits listed in this job posting reflect the Bank's most reasonable and genuinely expected benefits offered for this position.