Director, Accounting Operations

Anthropic•San Francisco, CA

7d•Hybrid

About The Position

Anthropic is seeking an exceptional Director of Corporate Accounting to lead our Corporate Accounting organization as we scale our financial operations to support frontier AI development. In this pivotal leadership role, you will own the design, implementation, and continuous improvement of our core accounting infrastructure across workplace, workforce, and corporate operations. You will build and lead a world-class team that ensures accuracy, control, and efficiency while supporting Anthropic's rapid growth. This role sits at the intersection of technical accounting expertise, systems, and operational excellence. You'll partner closely with Finance & Strategy, Tax, Revenue Accounting, and cross-functional stakeholders to establish scalable processes and controls. As a key leader in the Accounting organization, you will drive strategic initiatives including system selection and implementation, close acceleration, and the buildout of our control framework. Your work will be essential in providing the financial foundation that enables Anthropic to focus on our mission of developing safe, transformative AI systems.

Requirements

Have 15+ years of progressive accounting experience with at least 5+ years in leadership roles managing teams of 5+ people
Possess deep technical accounting expertise, particularly in ASC 842 (lease accounting), ASC 718 (stock-based compensation), and complex operational accounting
Have proven experience building and scaling accounting organizations in high-growth technology companies
Hold a Bachelor's degree in Accounting or Finance; CPA required
Are a strategic thinker who can balance technical precision with business pragmatism
Have successfully led or played a key role in ERP implementations or major systems projects
Excel at building scalable processes and controls that support rapid growth
Are comfortable operating in ambiguous environments and building structure where none exists
Possess exceptional communication skills and can effectively partner with both technical and non-technical stakeholders
Have a bias toward action and continuous improvement, always asking "how can we do this better?" in a constructive, look forward mentality
Thrive in fast-paced environments and maintain composure under tight deadlines
Care about building diverse, inclusive teams and creating environments where people do their best work

Nice To Haves

Have public company accounting experience, including preparation for or execution of IPO readiness activities
Possess expertise in international accounting, consolidations, and multi-entity operations
Have experience with NetSuite, Workday, and modern SaaS accounting platforms
Bring knowledge of subscription and consumption-based revenue models
Have managed accounting through periods of significant organizational change
Possess project management skills and experience leading cross-functional initiatives
Have familiarity with AI/ML business models and infrastructure accounting
Demonstrate thought leadership through participation in professional organizations or speaking engagements

Responsibilities

Own end-to-end accounting for workplace and workforce, including real estate leasing (ASC 842), fixed assets, cash and treasury, operating expenses, prepaids and accruals, payroll, taxes and benefits, commissions, and stock-based compensation support
Drive month-end and quarter-end close processes, ensuring accuracy, timeliness, and continuous acceleration of close cycles
Establish and maintain the Chart of Accounts and master data governance structure, ensuring it supports current operations and scales for future complexity
Design and implement allocation methodologies that provide clear cost visibility across the organization
Ensure compliance with US GAAP, internal policies, and regulatory requirements across all corporate accounting areas
Lead process improvement initiatives to increase efficiency, reduce manual work, and enhance data quality
Serve as a key stakeholder in ERP design, selection, and implementation, translating business requirements into system specifications
Lead selection and implementation of specialized systems for lease accounting and commissions management
Own master data governance, ensuring data integrity and consistency across financial systems
Drive adoption of close management tools to streamline workflows and enhance visibility
Partner with Finance Systems team to optimize integrations and automation opportunities
Build, coach, and lead a world-class corporate accounting team capable of supporting Anthropic's growth trajectory
Recruit top accounting talent with both technical expertise and a growth mindset
Provide mentorship and career development opportunities, fostering a culture of excellence and continuous learning
Establish clear roles, responsibilities, and performance expectations as the team scales
Create an environment that balances rigorous controls with operational agility
Collaborate with Finance & Strategy to provide accurate data and insights that inform business decisions
Partner with Tax on compliance requirements and optimization opportunities
Support global expansion initiatives by establishing accounting processes for new entities and jurisdictions
Provide technical accounting guidance on complex transactions and new business models