Director, Technical Accounting

Company Introduction

WorldStrides is the global leader in educational travel and experiential learning. The company was founded in 1967 to provide middle school travel programs to Washington, D.C. and has grown to provide a wide range of programs for more than half a million students annually to over 100 countries around the world. WorldStrides offers experiential learning programs in educational travel, performing arts, language immersion, career exploration, service-learning, study abroad, and sports. Each of these experiences helps students to see beyond the classroom and to see the world – and themselves – in new ways.

Job Responsibilities: 

The Director of Debt Reporting & Technical Accounting will serve as the Company’s primary authority on complex accounting and treasury matters, with a particular focus on debt structures, credit agreement compliance, and technical accounting judgments. As the complexity of our financing arrangements and reporting requirements continues to increase, this role provides critical in-house expertise, continuity, and leadership that cannot be sustainably supported through periodic external consultants alone. 

Reporting directly to the Chief Accounting Officer (CAO), this role will partner closely with the Controller, Finance, Legal, Treasury, and external auditors to ensure accurate, timely, and compliant financial reporting while supporting strategic initiatives and future growth. 

Job Duties: 

Debt Reporting & Credit Agreement Compliance 

• Own all accounting and reporting related to debt instruments, including term loans, revolvers, amendments, refinancings, and related disclosures. 

• Serve as the primary owner of credit agreement compliance, including:  

• Covenant calculations (leverage, liquidity, and other financial covenants) 

• Ongoing monitoring of covenant headroom 

• Preparation and review of lender reporting packages 

• Partner with FP&A, Treasury, and Legal to interpret debt agreements and ensure accounting conclusions and disclosures accurately reflect contractual terms. 

• Proactively identify covenant risks, interpretive issues, or structural changes and communicate implications to executive leadership. 

Technical Accounting Leadership 

• Lead technical accounting for complex and non-routine areas, including debt, equity, share-based compensation, business combinations, and other judgmental transactions. 

• Research, interpret, and apply U.S. GAAP and regulatory guidance; prepare clear, audit-ready technical accounting memos. 

• Evaluate accounting implications of new transactions, strategic initiatives, or changes in capital structure. 

• Monitor emerging accounting standards and assess potential impacts to the Company. 

Financial Reporting & Audit Support 

• Act as a subject matter expert for internal stakeholders and external auditors on technical accounting and debt-related matters. 

• Prepare footnote disclosures, annual financial statements and related MD&A inputs and ensure accuracy, completeness, and consistency. 
• Serve as a key point of contact during audits for complex accounting areas, ensuring efficient resolution of questions and issues. 

Process Improvement, Controls & Documentation 

• Drive standardization and documentation of technical accounting policies, procedures, and recurring analyses. 

• Strengthen internal controls related to debt reporting, covenant calculations, and technical accounting judgments. 

• Reduce reliance on external consultants by building durable internal expertise, templates, and knowledge repositories. 

• Partner with the Controller’s organization to ensure technical conclusions are effectively operationalized within the close and reporting process. 

Strategic & Cross-Functional Support 

• Provide trusted technical accounting guidance to executive leadership in support of strategic initiatives, financing activities, and future growth. 

• Support diligence and accounting assessments related to potential transactions or structural changes. 
• Serve as a thought partner to Finance leadership, balancing technical rigor with practical business considerations. 

Skills and Qualifications: 

• Demonstrated experience with credit agreements, covenant compliance, and complex financing structures.  
• Prior public accounting experience (Big 4 or national firm) and/or public company technical accounting experience strongly preferred.  
• Strong analytical and judgment skills, with the ability to translate complex accounting guidance into practical, business-oriented solutions.  
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including preparation of technical accounting memoranda.  
• Ability to work independently, manage multiple priorities, and partner effectively with senior leadership 

 
Education, Experience, and Training:  

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting or Finance; CPA required.  
• 8–12+ years of progressive accounting experience with a strong emphasis on technical accounting and debt reporting.  

Work Perks:

• Fun & driven environment.
• Excellent medical, dental, and vision coverage, life, accidental death and dismemberment, accident, critical illness, and disability insurance, FSA healthcare, FSA dependent care, HAS with employer contribution, and generous 401k match.
• 10 paid floating corporate holidays, 1 paid volunteer day & 25 PTO days to start – accrue up to 28 over 3 years, 4 mental health days, and 5 bereavement days.
• Tuition reimbursement up to five thousand, two hundred fifty dollars annually or one thousand dollars towards professional certification annually.
• Opportunities for paid and discounted travel.
• Flexible work schedule providing on-site, remote, and virtual office opportunities.
• Encouraged participation in our Employee Resource Groups and Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion council.
• Fitness Center and café onsite at select locations.
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Paid Parental, Caregiver, and Disability leave.
• Team Member Discount Program.