Chief Accounting Officer
About The Position
The Chief Accounting Officer (CAO) provides strategic leadership for global accounting operations. Based in Palo Alto, California, the role reports directly to the Chief Financial Officer (CFO). The CAO ensures financial integrity, operational efficiency, and regulatory compliance across a multinational technical and manufacturing organization spanning software and silicon systems. The CAO leads global accounting operations, entities, and consolidated reporting; partners with the CFO on financial strategy and capital allocation; and oversees financial close processes and Audit Committee reporting. The role also leads global accounts payable, accounts receivable, and payroll operations and drives automation across those functions. The position leads financial due diligence, purchase accounting, and post-merger integration for acquisitions; oversees accounting for hardware manufacturing, inventory, silicon supply chains, and mixed hardware and software offerings; and works with the tax team on transfer pricing and cross-border tax accounting. It is also responsible for US GAAP, SEC, and SOX compliance, internal controls, external audit coordination, and implementation of emerging accounting standards.
Requirements
- Active Certified Public Accountant (CPA) designation.
- Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field.
- At least 15 years of progressive accounting leadership experience.
- Experience at a Fortune 500 company or large accelerated filer.
- Demonstrated execution of complex M&A accounting and post-acquisition systems integration.
- Deep expertise in international accounting, foreign currency translation, and global entities.
- Technology industry experience, specifically in software and silicon or semiconductor manufacturing.
- Deep knowledge of inventory accounting, cost accounting, and ASC 606 revenue recognition.
- Advanced proficiency with global enterprise ERP systems such as SAP or Oracle.
Nice To Haves
- Big 4 public accounting experience.
- Master’s degree, such as an MBA or Master of Accountancy.
Responsibilities
- Direct global accounting operations, international entities, and consolidated financial reporting.
- Partner with the CFO on corporate financial strategy and capital allocation.
- Lead accurate and timely monthly, quarterly, and annual global financial closes.
- Present financial results and regulatory compliance updates to the Audit Committee.
- Oversee global accounts payable to optimize vendor relations and cash disbursements.
- Manage global accounts receivable to maximize collections and minimize bad debt.
- Supervise international payroll to ensure accurate, compliant, and timely compensation.
- Drive process automation across accounts payable, accounts receivable, and payroll.
- Lead financial due diligence, purchase accounting, and post-merger integration for global acquisitions.
- Oversee accounting for hardware manufacturing, inventory valuation, and silicon supply chains.
- Manage revenue recognition policies for mixed hardware and software offerings under ASC 606.
- Optimize transfer pricing and cross-border tax accounting structures in collaboration with the tax team.
- Ensure compliance with US GAAP, SEC regulations, and Sarbanes-Oxley (SOX).
- Maintain internal controls over complex international financial reporting.
- Coordinate with external auditors for annual global audits.
- Monitor emerging accounting standards and implement necessary policy changes.
Benefits
- Discretionary annual bonus.
- Competitive new-hire equity grant and annual equity awards, subject to applicable plan documents and award agreements.
- Medical, dental, and vision plans.
- 401(k) participation with company matching.
- Employee Stock Purchase Program (ESPP).
- Employee Assistance Program (EAP).
- Company-paid holidays.
- Paid sick leave and vacation time.
- Paid Family Leave and other leaves of absence in accordance with applicable laws.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Executive
