Fast Facts

Cengage Group is seeking a Vice President of Group Reporting who will steer strategic financial reporting and technical accounting functions, ensuring compliance with U.S. GAAP and SEC regulations. This leadership role requires strong expertise in financial governance and collaboration across teams.

Responsibilities: Lead and mentor a team in financial reporting and technical accounting, ensuring compliance with regulations, overseeing internal controls, and providing strategic direction while collaborating across business divisions.

Skills: Bachelor's degree in Accounting or Finance & CPA required; mastery in SEC reporting, U.S. GAAP, technical accounting, team leadership, and strong analytical and communication skills.

Qualifications: Minimum 15 years of experience including Big 4 public accounting, SEC reporting expertise, and an in-depth understanding of Sarbanes-Oxley compliance preferred.

Location: Virtual position based in the U.S. (MA) with no travel requirements specified.

Compensation: $225000 - $275000 / Annually

We believe in the power and joy of learning

At Cengage Group, our employees have a direct impact in helping students around the world discover the power and joy of learning. We are bonded by our shared purpose – driving innovation that helps millions of learners improve their lives and achieve their dreams through education.

Our culture values inclusion, engagement, and discovery

Our business is driven by our strong culture, and we know that creating an inclusive workplace is absolutely essential to the success of our company and our learners, as well as our individual well-being. We recognize the value of diverse perspectives in everything we do, and strive to ensure employees of all levels and backgrounds feel empowered to voice their ideas and bring their authentic selves to work. We achieve these priorities through programs, benefits, and initiatives that are integrated into the fabric of how we work every day. To learn more, please see https://www.cengagegroup.com/about/inclusion-and-belonging/.

As the Vice President, Group Reporting, you will implement and lead the strategic direction of Cengage's external financial reporting and technical accounting functions. This highly visible role is responsible for ensuring compliance with U.S. GAAP and SEC reporting requirements, handling sophisticated accounting issues, and driving excellence in financial governance across the organization.

What You’ll Do Here

• Lead, mentor, and manage a team of senior finance professionals, encouraging a high-performance culture aligned with organizational goals.
• Provide strategic direction and thought leadership across all areas of financial reporting and technical accounting.
• Partner with the Chief Accounting Officer to implement enterprise-wide finance initiatives.
• Lead all aspects of the preparation and review of quarterly and annual reporting in accordance with SEC rules and regulations, earnings releases, and other external disclosures.
• Ensure compliance with U.S. GAAP, SEC regulations, and internal policies.
• Maintain the relationship with external auditors, including audit scope, issue resolution, and quarterly review meetings.
• Lead technical accounting research and documentation for sophisticated transactions and new accounting standards.
• Provide mentorship on accounting treatment for revenue recognition, business combinations, equity-based compensation, and other key areas.
• Own and maintain Cengage's global accounting policies, including training and communication across business divisions.
• Lead all aspects of documentation and evaluation of internal controls over financial reporting (ICFR), including Sarbanes-Oxley compliance.
• Support internal audit and remediation efforts related to control deficiencies.
• Present to the Audit Committee on technical accounting and reporting matters as needed.
• Serve as a trusted advisor to business divisions on technical accounting implications of new products, services, and international expansion.
• Provide ad hoc financial and accounting support for critical initiatives, including transfer pricing and segment reporting.
• Collaborate cross-functionally with Tax, Treasury, Legal, and FP&A teams.
• Lead all aspects of corporate accounting areas such as equity-based compensation and employee benefit plan financial statements.

Skills You Will Need Here:

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience in Accounting or Finance & CPA required; Master’s degree strongly preferred.
• Minimum 15 years of dynamic experience, including Big 4 public accounting and senior leadership roles in a public company.
• 5+ years of recent SEC reporting experience
• Deep expertise in U.S. GAAP, SEC reporting, and technical accounting across a global, multi-product organization.
• Proven track record to lead and develop high-performing teams.
• Strong analytical, communication, and presentation skills with the ability to influence senior collaborators.
• Proven experience handling external auditors and navigating sophisticated accounting issues.
• In-depth knowledge of Sarbanes-Oxley compliance and internal control frameworks.
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced environment with a collaborative mentality.

Key Technical Areas of Expertise

• Revenue Recognition (ASC 606)
• Business Combinations (ASC 805)
• Equity-Based Compensation (ASC 718)
• Segment Reporting (ASC 280)
• Treasury and Derivative Accounting
• Functional Currency and Foreign Exchange
• Tax Accounting (ASC 740)
• Exit and Restructuring Activities

Cengage Group is committed to working with broad talent pools to attract and hire strong and most qualified individuals. Our job applicants are considered regardless of race, national origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, genetic information, disability, age, veteran status, and any other classification protected by applicable federal, state, provincial or local laws.

Cengage is also committed to providing reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities including during our job application process. If you are an applicant with a disability and require reasonable accommodation in our job application process, please contact us at [email protected] or at +1 (617) 289-7917.

About Cengage Group

Cengage Group, a global education technology company serving millions of learners, provides affordable, quality digital products and services that equip students with the skills and competencies needed to be job ready. For more than 100 years, we have enabled the power and joy of learning with trusted, engaging content, and now, integrated digital platforms. We serve the higher education, workforce skills, secondary education, English language teaching and research markets worldwide. Through our scalable technology, including MindTap and Cengage Unlimited, we support all learners who seek to improve their lives and achieve their dreams through education.

Compensation

At Cengage Group, we take great pride in our commitment to providing a comprehensive and rewarding Total Rewards package designed to support and empower our employees. Click here to learn more about our Total Rewards Philosophy.

The full base pay range has been provided for this position. Individual base pay will vary based on work schedule, qualifications, experience, internal equity, and geographic location. Sales roles often incorporate a significant incentive compensation program beyond this base pay range.

$225,000.00 - $275,000.00 USD