Director, Technical Accounting & Accounting Operations

Overview

Dole Packaged Foods is a purpose led organization that is a champion of accessible fruit nutrition and builds a brighter future for people through the goodness of fruit.

 

At Dole, our culture is uniquely driven by core Values. Our commitment to these Values transforms our work into a meaningful journey toward a brighter future together. Here, you'll be part of a respectful, inclusive culture that deeply values our colleagues, customers, and global communities. We strive for excellence, empowering each other to confidently overcome challenges, continuously learn, and achieve world-class results. Guided by unwavering integrity, our actions consistently reflect our commitment to always doing what's right, fostering lasting trust and strong relationships. Through a spirit of collaboration, we cultivate positivity, generosity, and genuine teamwork, enabling collective success toward our One Dole Purpose. Our innovative spirit leads directly to meaningful outcomes and business success.

 

We are seeking an experienced and dynamic Director, Accounting to join our Controllership team. This role serves as a key leader responsible for technical accounting, accounting policy, financial reporting support, close governance, and complex transaction analysis. The position partners closely with the Controller on significant accounting judgments, implementation of new accounting standards, accounting policy development, and matters impacting the integrity of the Company's financial statements.

 

In addition, this role leads accounting process improvement, internal controls, audit coordination, accounting systems governance, and provides strategic oversight of accounting operations. The ideal candidate combines deep technical accounting expertise with strong business acumen, leadership capability, and a passion for building scalable and well-controlled accounting processes.

 

This role provides flexibility to work in a hybrid environment of home and our Westlake Village, CA office. (Hybrid is defined as 3 times per week in the office).

Responsibilities

Technical Accounting & Accounting Policy

• Lead the Company's technical accounting function, including evaluation, interpretation, documentation, and implementation of U.S. GAAP and IFRS accounting guidance for complex and non-routine transactions.
• Perform technical accounting research and prepare accounting memoranda, position papers, policy documentation, and related analyses supporting accounting conclusions and significant judgments.
• Evaluate the accounting implications of strategic initiatives, commercial contracts, financing arrangements, restructurings, acquisitions, system implementations, and other complex transactions.
• Partner closely with the Controller to assess significant accounting judgments and establish accounting positions that are supportable, compliant, and operationally practical.
• Maintain and enhance the Company's accounting policy framework, ensuring consistent application of accounting principles across business units, legal entities, and international operations.
• Monitor emerging accounting standards and regulatory developments, assess their impact on the business, and lead implementation efforts as necessary.

Financial Reporting & Close Governance

• Provide leadership and oversight of the general ledger and close process, ensuring period-end activities, journal entries, reconciliations, account analyses, and review procedures are completed accurately, timely, and in accordance with company policies.
• Partner with the Controller on quarterly, annual, statutory, and management reporting matters, including accounting disclosures and financial statement presentation.
• Ensure significant accounting matters are properly documented, reviewed, and communicated to executive leadership, auditors, and other key stakeholders.
• Drive improvements in financial reporting quality, transparency, consistency, and efficiency.

Internal Controls, Compliance & Audit

• Strengthen the Company's control environment through effective governance, documentation, risk assessment, and process ownership.
• Support JSOX compliance efforts, including control design, testing coordination, remediation activities, and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Serve as a key liaison with internal and external auditors and coordinate audit activities across the accounting organization.
• Ensure accounting processes are supported by appropriate controls, documentation, evidence, and review protocols.

Accounting Operations & Business Partnership

• Provide strategic oversight of accounting operations, ensuring activities across manufacturing, distribution, sales and marketing, corporate functions, and international operations adhere to accounting policies and financial reporting requirements.
• Partner with business leaders to provide accounting guidance that supports operational and strategic decision making.
• Support business initiatives by identifying accounting implications early and helping develop practical, compliant solutions.

Systems, Transformation & Process Improvement

• Direct accounting participation in system implementations, upgrades, and process transformation initiatives.
• Oversee accounting master data governance and ensure accounting requirements are effectively incorporated into reporting structures, workflows, controls, and system designs.
• Identify opportunities to simplify processes, eliminate manual activities, strengthen controls, increase automation, and leverage AI-enabled solutions to improve efficiency and effectiveness.
• Lead initiatives that enhance scalability, sustainability, and operational excellence within the accounting function.

Leadership & Talent Development

• Build and develop a high-performing accounting organization through coaching, mentoring, succession planning, and talent development.
• Foster a culture of accountability, technical excellence, continuous improvement, collaboration, and sound professional judgment.
• Establish organizational priorities, allocate resources effectively, and lead teams through change while maintaining operational excellence.
• Perform other responsibilities as assigned.

Qualifications

Experience, Knowledge, & Skills You Bring:       

• Minimum 10 years of progressive accounting experience, including significant experience in technical accounting, financial reporting, accounting policy, public accounting, or corporate controllership functions. Candidates with Big Four public accounting experience may qualify with a minimum of 8 years of progressive accounting experience.
• Minimum 4 years of leadership experience managing accounting teams and developing talent.
• Big Four public accounting experience strongly preferred, including Manager or Senior Manager-level experience in Audit, Accounting Advisory, Transaction Services, Capital Markets, or similar technical accounting disciplines.
• Deep expertise in U.S. GAAP and/or IFRS, technical accounting research, accounting policy development, financial reporting, and application of accounting standards to complex business transactions.
• Demonstrated experience preparing technical accounting memoranda, documenting accounting conclusions, and presenting recommendations to executive leadership and auditors.
• Experience evaluating and documenting complex accounting matters and implementing new accounting standards.
• Strong understanding of accounting matters common within manufacturing, consumer packaged goods, or global operating environments, including inventory accounting, standard costing, reserves, revenue recognition, intercompany transactions, and foreign currency accounting.
• Proven experience leading accounting process improvement, internal control remediation, systems implementations, automation initiatives, and organizational change.
• Experience with SAP financial systems and accounting master data governance strongly preferred.
• Experience with BlackLine or similar financial close and reconciliation platforms preferred.
• Advanced Microsoft Excel and PowerPoint skills required.
• Proven ability to influence across functions, manage competing priorities, and build credibility with executives, auditors, technical specialists, and operational leaders.
• Strong analytical, project management, communication, and decision-making skills with a commitment to accurate, supportable, and well-controlled financial reporting.
• High level of integrity, professional judgment, accountability, and continuous improvement mindset.
• Works effectively across cultures, functions, and geographic locations.

What You’ll Need to Succeed:

• Passionate about a purpose driver career
• Cultivates respectful and inclusive environments that support employee growth across teams
• Drives strategic initiatives and maintains excellence in complex and dynamic settings
• Establishes transparent decision-making and accountability frameworks
• Encourages organizational teamwork effectively to achieve shared objectives

Education & Certification:

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field required
• CPA strongly preferred

Physical Requirements:

• Ability to sit and use the computer for extended periods of time; ability to answer phones and use a variety of office equipment; ability to lift 15 pounds and reach overhead.

Travel Requirements:

• Approximately 10% travel is expected.

 

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, sex, color, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, or on the basis of disability.

 

FOR JOBS BASED IN CALIFORNIA:

Hiring Pay Scale: $195,000 to $225,000

Dole Packaged Foods is committed to paying our Associates fairly and equitably. The pay rate offered will consider a wide range of factors, including but not limited to experience, education, accomplishments, and location. Pay scales are subject to review on a regular basis and will be updated as appropriate.