Associate Director, Technical Accounting Advisory

United Health Group is a health care and well-being company that's dedicated to improving the health outcomes of millions around the world. We are comprised of two distinct and complementary businesses, United Healthcare and Optum, working to build a better health system for all. Here, your contributions matter as they will help transform health care for years to come. Make an impact with a team that shares your passion for helping others.

Join us to start Caring. Connecting. Growing together.

Ready to bring your technical accounting expertise closer to the business? This is a rare opportunity for a technically solid, business minded professional to step into a highly visible advisory role where accounting expertise directly influences strategic decisions, complex transactions, and business outcomes. In this role, you will be a go-to partner for functions spanning the enterprise, helping the organization evaluate the accounting implications of major initiatives, structure thoughtful solutions, and turn complexity into clear, actionable guidance.

This role is designed for someone who enjoys the intellectual challenge of technical accounting but wants more than memos and checklists. You will sit closer to the business, work on the transactions and decisions that matter, and have the opportunity to influence outcomes before they are finalized. The ideal candidate is a high-performer with solid technical depth , who is ready for a more strategic, consultative, and business-facing role.

Why This Role Stands Out:

* Be at the table for strategic transactions, accounting judgments, and business decisions, not just after the fact

* Partner with leaders across finance and the business on complex, high-stakes issues

* Develop relationships across the enterprise by serving as an advisor to M&A, controllership, treasury, tax, legal and more

* Build a career path that combines technical excellence, strategic insight, and viewpoints that span the organization

This position follows a hybrid schedule with four in-office days per week.

Primary Responsibilities:

* Serve as a strategic advisor to business and finance leaders by evaluating complex accounting matters, developing practical solutions, and driving timely, supportable conclusions

* Participate in due diligence for mergers and acquisitions including target financial statement analysis and accounting policy review, transaction agreement review, purchase accounting considerations, auditor workpaper review, and 'day 2' integration matters

* Prepare crisp executive summaries, accounting analyses, and leadership materials that make complex accounting issues understandable, actionable, and relevant to the business

* Perform detailed research and document technical accounting conclusions in clear, persuasive memoranda when necessary

* Monitor FASB, SEC and other accounting developments and advise key stakeholders (i.e. Chief Accounting Officer, Controllers, Investor Relations, Segment Finance Leadership) of potential impacts

* Monitor and evolve accounting policies so they remain current, practical, scalable, and aligned with U.S. GAAP, SEC developments, and business needs

* Provide accounting support and build solid partnerships with key stakeholders across numerous functions including M&A, controllership, treasury, tax, legal and others

* Support the annual goodwill impairment testing process, including coordination with finance and business partners

* Own and enhance selected internal controls related to accounting policies, goodwill impairment procedures and select stock compensation matters

* Manage complex projects from issue identification through final conclusion ensuring deadlines are met

* Develop and deliver technical accounting training to the organization as needed

* Support SEC reporting on special projects, disclosures, and other matters as need arises

You'll be rewarded and recognized for your performance in an environment that will challenge you and give you clear direction on what it takes to succeed in your role as well as provide development for other roles you may be interested in.

Required Qualifications:

* 6+ years of public accounting or equivalent technical accounting experience including SEC and public company experience

* Material accounting research experience in a broad range of transactions

* Experience documenting complex accounting positions, including summarizing transactions and the related accounting literature

* Solid understanding of and experience in U.S. GAAP

* Proven solid written and verbal communication skills

* Proven ability to prepare concise board and executive level summaries and presentations

* Proven ability to prepare and present technical accounting trainings to internal business partners

* Proven desire and ability to produce high quality, original documents with attention to detail

* Proven desire and ability to work autonomously and own projects end-to-end

* Proven ability to manage competing priorities and to meet tight deadlines

* Proven ability to…