Director M&A and Technical Accounting

Director, M&A and Technical Accounting

Hybrid 4 days/week in office in San Francisco, New York City, or Boston

Position Summary

Billion-dollar revenue, global, publicly-traded tech company seeking a highly technical and commercially minded Director of M&A and Technical Accounting to lead accounting support for acquisitions, strategic investments, deal structuring, and complex accounting matters. This role is heavily focused on M&A accounting and transaction support (approximately 75%), with the remaining focus on technical accounting research, policy application, and complex accounting conclusions (approximately 25%).

This is a high-visibility individual contributor role with direct exposure to executive leadership, including the CAO, CFO, Corporate Development, FP&A, Legal, and external auditors. The ideal candidate brings deep expertise from a Big 4 Transaction Advisory/M&A Accounting practice or a Big 4/National Office technical accounting group and is comfortable operating independently in a fast-paced, deal-oriented environment.

Key Responsibilities

M&A Accounting and Deal Support (75%)

• Partner with Corporate Development, Legal, Tax, FP&A, and executive leadership throughout the transaction lifecycle, including acquisitions, divestitures, joint ventures, and strategic investments
• Provide accounting analysis and structuring support for contemplated transactions, including assessment of accounting implications during negotiations
• Lead purchase accounting activities under ASC 805, including valuation coordination, opening balance sheet review, and transaction accounting
• Evaluate deal structures and proposed transaction terms to identify accounting impacts and risks
• Assess earn-outs, contingent consideration, debt/equity features, compensation arrangements, and complex contractual provisions
• Support diligence efforts related to accounting policies, revenue recognition, reserves, contingencies, and historical financial reporting
• Prepare and review technical accounting memoranda supporting transaction-related conclusions
• Coordinate with external auditors and valuation specialists throughout transaction execution
• Assist with integration-related accounting matters and post-close accounting implications
• Serve as the primary accounting advisor to business development teams on strategic transactions

Technical Accounting (25%)

• Research and document complex accounting matters under U.S. GAAP
• Draft and maintain technical accounting memos and accounting policy documentation
• Advise on complex accounting topics, including revenue recognition, equity transactions, debt modifications, business combinations, consolidation, and impairment analyses
• Monitor emerging accounting standards and assess applicability to the company
• Support quarterly and annual reporting processes for technical accounting matters
• Assist with SEC reporting implications related to transactions, as applicable

Qualifications

• CPA required
• 10+ years of progressive accounting experience
• Prior experience in one of the following strongly preferred:
• Big 4 M&A / Transaction Advisory Services accounting practice
• Big 4 National Office / Professional Practice group
• Combination of public accounting and industry M&A accounting experience
• Deep knowledge of U.S. GAAP, particularly ASC 805 and complex transaction accounting
• Strong experience drafting technical accounting position papers and interacting with external auditors
• Demonstrated ability to influence deal structure through accounting analysis
• Ability to operate independently as a senior individual contributor in a highly visible environment
• Strong executive communication and cross-functional partnership skills
• Experience supporting public company environments preferred

Preferred Attributes

• Commercially minded with strong business judgment
• Comfortable balancing technical rigor with practical execution
• Able to navigate ambiguity and manage multiple concurrent transactions
• Strong presence and confidence interacting with senior leadership

Reporting Structure

This role reports into the Controllership/Accounting organization and works closely with the CAO, CFO, Corporate Development, Legal, Tax, FP&A, and external auditors.