Vanguard is seeking a strategic and consultative Director of Fund Accounting Policy to own the development, implementation, and oversight of complex global accounting and disclosure policies. This high-impact role focuses on improving financial accounting operations across the enterprise by advising and guiding teams—not by performing operational tasks directly. While this is not a direct people leadership role, success in this position requires the ability to lead cross-functional initiatives, manage projects, and influence partners. The ideal candidate will bring deep technical accounting expertise, strong analytical and communication skills, and a strategic approach that aligns accounting practices with broader business goals.

This role is open to candidates located near our Malvern, PA location. It is a hybrid position requiring in-office presence three days per week.

Core Responsibilities

• Oversees, establishes, and formally documents accounting policies and business issues, supports positions taken, and identifies differences between regulatory reporting regulation equivalents. Provides leadership on implementation of ambiguous and complex accounting and reporting policies.
• Conducts technical accounting research on complex accounting questions and topics. Communicates conclusions to accountants, management, and external auditors.
• Leads efforts to develop, update, and present accounting training courses to accounting staff and management.
• Provides subject matter expertise to internal business clients on the application of complex accounting policies and oversees policy standards to ensure compliance.
• Maintains broad and consistent knowledge of accounting policy and awareness of current industry issues, incorporating changing business needs into support solutions. Monitors upcoming accounting standards and upcoming financial reporting regulations.
• Communicates new standards and rules, and provides insight into the impact on Vanguard, to accountants and management. Interfaces with external parties on assessing the impact of accounting and regulatory guidance through involvement in industry committees and industry discussions.
• Assists in drafting comment letters and preparing for attendance at industry events.
• Participates in special projects and performs other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 8 years of experience in an accounting and financial reporting environment for financial services companies.
• Technical expertise in the investment management industry, or strong familiarity coupled with expertise in a comparably regulated industry like banking or broker-dealers.
• Undergraduate degree required, Finance or Accounting preferred. Graduate degree a plus.
• Active CPA required (or equivalent international designation such as CGMA or Chartered Accountant).
• Strong knowledge of GAAP, IFRS, and regulatory frameworks (e.g., SEC, SOX).
• Proven ability to lead cross-functional projects and influence without direct authority.
• Excellent analytical, communication, and documentation skills.
• Experience advising complex accounting issues and implementing policy changes.

Our commitment to equal employment opportunity

Vanguard is an equal opportunity employer. Vanguard is committed to providing all crew members a working environment that is free from discrimination, prejudice and bias. Through this Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Policy, Vanguard reaffirms its commitment to equal employment opportunity for all applicants and crew members without regard to race, color, national origin or ancestry, religion, gender, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, disability, marital status, veteran or military status. In addition, Vanguard prohibits discrimination based on genetic information, as well as any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local law.

Applicants with disabilities may be entitled to reasonable accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act and certain state or local laws. A reasonable accommodation is a change in the way things are normally done which will ensure an equal employment opportunity without imposing undue hardship on Vanguard. Please inform careers@vanguard.com if you need assistance completing this application or to otherwise participate in the application process.