Director, Accounting

When you join Sallie Mae, you become a champion for all students.We’re on a mission to power confidence as students begin their unique journey. To help them plan their higher education, successfully finish, and prepare for life after school. To help them Start smart. Learn big.Students need guidance navigating this important time in their life. They need someone who acknowledges that their education path is unique. They need a partner willing to evolve and not only meet but surpass their expectations. We’re changing. Because students need a better way.We’re looking for people who are excited to drive this transformation. To break barriers and think of new ways to adapt, help, and create better experiences for students—and for each other.This is where diverse backgrounds, beliefs, and perspectives matter. It’s where you’re empowered to bring your authentic self to work.Feeling your best allows you to do your best. Our benefits take care of the whole you—from physical and mental to financial and professional. You’ll get opportunities to further your education and career, support for you and your family (including your pets!), paid time off to volunteer for the things that matter to you, and more.We’re obsessed with impact and making a real difference. For us, that means putting relationships first, asking “why not?” when tackling challenges, and continuously learning new skills.Come do more than join something, change something. For students, for future generations, for the future of education.What You'll ContributeThe Director oversees the team responsible for the accurate and timely accounting and operational activities of the securitized debt (asset-backed securities) and investment portfolios. This role leads daily cash reconciliations of securitization trust activity, including borrower and debt payments, and directs deal setup, validation, and maintenance. The Director oversees deal-level analysis of securitized transactions, capital markets accounting entries, and monthly account reconciliations, while ensuring accurate and timely close reporting.The Director collaborates with internal and external teams to execute operations, perform accounting research, and apply policies and procedures. This role is responsible for preparing and reviewing reports supporting quarterly close and SEC disclosures, and for managing relationships with internal and external auditors. The Director ensures adherence to internal controls and SOX requirements, including timely updates and testing, and oversees system interfaces and data integrity. Additionally, this role serves as a key point of contact for resolving inquiries from management, employees, and auditors while guiding the team in achieving corporate and departmental objectives.What You'll DoSecuritizations, Unsecured Debt and Debt Facility(s)Ensure maintenance of and direct deal settlements in PrincipiaReview and approve all debt and investment deals in Principia for adherence with developed structures in a timely mannerOversee the maintenance of deal documentation, i.e., offering memorandums, note purchase agreements, term-sheets, sales agreements, etc.Perform the relevant gain on sale calculations, entries, and provide reporting for senior management reviewMonthly CloseApprove journal entries relating to the Company’s capital markets transactions including, debt (secured and unsecured), investments, preferred stock, and facility portfoliosEnsure all close deadlines are met and issues are brought to Management’s attention in a timely mannerApprove all general ledger reconciliationsPrepare and coordinate the team’s Monthly Close CalendarReporting, including Monthly Servicer ReportsPrepare/ Review monthly reports for management reviewPrepare/ Review quarterly disclosures included in SEC Forms 10K/10Q, including compete tie-out of all disclosure information for Capital Markets Accounting areas of responsibilityPrepare adhoc requests as neededCoordinate the full reconciliation and review of MSRs prepared by Structured Finance Operations, in accordance with the prescribed monthly deadlinesOther ResponsibilitiesEnsure the team meets all audit (external/internal), SOX testing and internal control documentation requirements Provides management and other departments or subsidiaries with ad-hoc reports/analysis as neededProvides excellent customer service to employees, other departments, and external contactsPrepare and coach direct reports to meet their annual goals and objectives, providing continuous feedbackInteract and build strong working relationships with various departments (e.g. Bank Accounting, Corporate Finance, Legal, and Accounting Systems) as it relates to monthly and quarterly business processesLooks for ways to create efficiencies, increase department responsibilities while adhering to all documented Internal ControlsThe above information is intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed by employees assigned to this job; it is not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities and qualifications required of employees in this role.What You HaveMinimum: Indicate minimum education, skills and experience required.Bachelor’s degree in Accounting or Finance8+ years of progressive accounting experience, including debt and securitization accounting and 3 years in a leadership role Financial services industry experienceExperience with secured debt, investments, and general ledger systems (e.g., Workday, PeopleSoft)Strong analytical skills with attention to detail and ability to see the broader financial pictureProven ability to lead or support teams and work effectively with senior managementStrong communication and interpersonal skillsHighly organized, self-motivated, and results-orientedExcellent Microsoft Office skillsAbility to operate effectively in a high-volume, fast-paced environmentPreferred: Indicate “nice to haves” regarding education, skills, and experience.Experience with Principia SoftwareThe Americans With Disabilities ActThe Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA) prohibits discrimination by employers, in compensation and employment opportunities, against qualified individuals with disabilities who, with or without reasonable accommodation, can perform the “essential functions” of a job. A function may be essential for any of several reasons, including: the job exists to perform that function, the employee holding the job was hired for his/her expertise in performing the function, or only a limited number of employees are available to perform that function.Feeling Your Best Helps You Do Your BestOur benefits take care of the whole you—so you can build your work around your life (not the other way around!).Competitive base salaries Bonus incentives Generous PTO, Floating Holidays and 12 Federal Holidays observedSupport for financial-well-being and retirement 401k with employer matchComprehensive medical, dental, vision, hospital indemnity, critical illness, pet insurance and moreEmployer paid short-term/long-term disability and basic life insurance Flexible hybrid working arrangements.Paid parental leave and adoption reimbursement programsFree access to on-site staffed fitness centers (in Delaware) and gym subsidy (for locations outside Delaware) Confidential counseling support (EAP), Health Advocacy services and Wellness program with financial incentivesTuition Reimbursement and Family Scholarship ProgramsCareer development and training opportunitiesNot the right fit? Let us know you're interested in a future opportunity by clicking Introduce Yourself in the top-right corner of the page or create an account to set up email alerts as new job postings become available that meet your interest!Sallie Mae is proud to be an equal opportunity (EEO) employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, age, genetic information, gender identity, disability, Veteran status or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local law. Click here to view the U.S. Pay Transparency Policy, here for federal job applicant notices, and here to view the California Employee Privacy Notice.Reasonable accommodations are available for applicants with disabilities in all phases of the application and employment process. To request an accommodation please call (855) 756-2007 and choose option 9. All information you provide will be kept confidential and will be used only to the extent required to provide needed reasonable accommodations.