Technical Director

As a team member in the Finance department at Nationwide, the opportunities are endless! You can grow and learn in diverse areas across many disciplines such as Advanced Analytics, Investments, Actuarial, Accounting, Risk Management, Critical Business Advisor, Internal Audit, and so much more. Let Nationwide help create your career journey! At Nationwide®, “on your side” goes beyond just words. Our customers are at the center of everything we do and we’re looking for associates who are passionate about delivering extraordinary care.

Investment Accounting Advisory Director - Role Overview

Join Nationwide’s Investment Controllership team as a Technical Director, where you’ll apply accounting expertise to support strategic investment decisions across a $150 billion portfolio. This role offers a unique blend of technical research, business partnership, and leadership - without requiring prior insurance or investment experience.

You’ll lead a team, advise on complex transactions, manage the investment audit relationship, and help shape Nationwide’s response to evolving regulatory guidance.

Key Responsibilities

• Research and advise on GAAP and Statutory investment accounting matters
• Provide accounting insights to support deal structuring and portfolio strategy
• Lead and develop a team of advisory professionals
• Manage relationships with Big 4 auditors and internal stakeholders
• Support regulatory response efforts and system transformation initiatives

Ideal Candidate

• 8+ years of accounting experience, preferably with public accounting (audit/advisory) background
• Strong technical research and communication skills
• Curious, collaborative, and comfortable navigating ambiguity
• No prior insurance or investment experience required - just a solid accounting foundation and a desire to learn

Why Join Us?

• Be a strategic advisor on investment decisions impacting a diverse and growing $150B portfolio
• Work in a collaborative, intellectually engaging environment with meaningful exposure to senior leadership
• Lead and develop a high-performing team
• Drive innovation and contribute to transformational initiatives and process  enhancements
• Join a Fortune 100 company known for its award-winning culture and broad career growth opportunities for accounting professionals across Finance and beyond.

This is a hybrid position located in Columbus Ohio and you will be required to come into the office two days per week. 

This role does not qualify for employer sponsored work authorization. Nationwide does not participate in the STEM OPT extension program.

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Job Description Summary

Do you want to invest in yourself and thrive in an environment of innovation, problem solving, collaboration and learning? If you’re prepared to work in a technology-enabled, digitally-focused organization, where Controllership is a captivating and respected career, we want to hear from you!

As a Technical Director, you'll lead the researching and advising team on complex investment accounting topics, managing audit and other business partner relationships, as well as facilitating issue resolution, and performing various portfolio wide risk-related activities required for the accurate reporting of Nationwide financial information.

Job Description

Key Responsibilities:

• Provides insight and direction on technical accounting research, including documentation of significant and unusual investment transactions and overlay issue resolution and consultation to business partners.

• Provides insight and direction on research, interpretation and implementation of GAAP and STAT accounting guidance impacting investments.

• Manages the external audit and other business partner relationships, including internal audit, investment front, middle and back office and other Controllership teams. Assists in issue resolution.

• Is responsible for the impairment analysis for the investment portfolio which includes substantial management judgments and consolidation assessments process for new equity investments.

• Coordinates closing-related deliverables, including the book yield analytic, pre-close materials, SAB 99s and Non-GAAP memo.

• Directs associate management, including performance management, training and development, workflow planning, hiring, etc.

May perform other responsibilities as assigned.

Reporting Relationships: Reports to Senior Director or Vice President, Investment Accounting.

Typical Skills and Experiences:

Education: Bachelor's degree in accounting preferred. 

License/Certification/Designation: CPA desired.

Experience: Ten years of accounting experience in insurance or financial services industry.

Knowledge, Abilities and Skills: GAAP and/or STAT accounting, insurance accounting principles, practices and procedures, Insurance regulatory requirements. Management policies, practices and procedures. Financial services or investments experience preferred. Advanced written and verbal communication skills, especially meeting management. Ability to analyze sophisticated investment strategies. Proficient in using Microsoft Word and Excel. Adaptable in handling competing priorities.

Other criteria, including leadership skills, competencies and experiences may take precedence. 

Staffing exceptions to the above must be approved by the hiring manager’s leader and Human Resources Business Partner.

Values: Regularly and consistently demonstrates Nationwide Values.

Job Conditions:

Overtime Eligibility: Exempt (Not eligible)

Working Conditions: Normal office environment. 

ADA: The above statements cover what are generally believed to be principal and essential functions of this job. Specific circumstances may allow or require some people assigned to the job to perform a somewhat different combination of duties. 

Credit/Background Check: Due to the fiduciary accountabilities within this job, a valid credit and/or background check will be required as part of the selection process. 

Benefits

We have an array of benefits to fit your needs, including: medical/dental/vision, life insurance, short and long term disability coverage, paid time off with newly hired associates receiving a minimum of 18 days paid time off each full calendar year pro-rated quarterly based on hire date, nine paid holidays, 8 hours of Lifetime paid time off, 8 hours of Unity Day paid time off, 401(k) with company match, company-paid pension plan, business casual attire, and more. To learn more about the benefits we offer, click here.

Nationwide is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive culture where everyone feels challenged, appreciated, respected and engaged. Nationwide prohibits discrimination and harassment and affords equal employment opportunities to employees and applicants without regard to any characteristic (or classification) protected by applicable law.

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NOTE TO EMPLOYMENT AGENCIES:

We value the partnerships we have built with our preferred vendors. Nationwide does not accept unsolicited resumes from employment agencies. All resumes submitted by employment agencies directly to any Nationwide employee or hiring manager in any form without a signed Nationwide Client Services Agreement on file and search engagement for that position will be deemed unsolicited in nature. No fee will be paid in the event the candidate is subsequently hired as a result of the referral or through other means.