Sr Director Technical Accounting

Palo Alto Networks•Office - USA - CA - Headquarters, CA

2d•$233,000 - $318,000•Onsite

About The Position

Our Mission At Palo Alto Networks®, we’re united by a shared mission—to protect our digital way of life. We thrive at the intersection of innovation and impact, solving real-world problems with cutting-edge technology and bold thinking. Here, everyone has a voice, and every idea counts. If you’re ready to do the most meaningful work of your career alongside people who are just as passionate as you are, you’re in the right place. Who We Are In order to be the cybersecurity partner of choice, we must trailblaze the path and shape the future of our industry. This is something our employees work at each day and is defined by our values: Disruption, Collaboration, Execution, Integrity, and Inclusion. We weave AI into the fabric of everything we do and use it to augment the impact every individual can have. If you are passionate about solving real-world problems and ideating beside the best and the brightest, we invite you to join us! We believe collaboration thrives in person. That’s why most of our teams work from the office full time, with flexibility when it’s needed. This model supports real-time problem-solving, stronger relationships, and the kind of precision that drives great outcomes. Job Summary Your Career We are seeking a highly accomplished, strategic, and collaborative Senior Director of Technical Accounting to lead our technical accounting and M&A functions. As a critical leader within the accounting organization, you will serve as the advisor on complex accounting matters, ensuring compliance with US GAAP while supporting the company’s rapid growth and strategic initiatives. Your Impact M&A Accounting & Integration Due Diligence: Lead the accounting due diligence process for potential acquisitions, identifying financial risks, valuation considerations, and structuring impacts. PPA & Valuation: Oversee Purchase Price Allocation (PPA), valuation of intangible assets, and the establishment of opening balance sheets. Accounting Integration: Drive the seamless post-merger accounting integration of acquired entities into the corporate ecosystem, aligning policies and systems. Technical Accounting Policy & Compliance Governance: Ownership of global accounting policies to ensure uniformity and compliance with US GAAP. Equity & Compensation Accounting: Oversee complex Stock-Based Compensation (SBC) accounting, disclosures, ESPP, deferred compensation, and the preparation of the Statement of Equity. Technical Accounting: Act as the subject matter expert on areas such as capitalized software, deferred contract costs, inventory accounting, complex purchase commitments, and compensation related topics. Leadership & Cross-Functional Collaboration Team Leadership: Mentor, develop, and inspire a high-performing team of technical accounting professionals, fostering a culture of continuous learning and excellence. Cross-Functional Partnership: Act as a trusted advisor and strategic partner to Corporate Development, Legal, Corporate Accounting, Tax, and R&D Functions to support business initiatives. Executive Presence: Confidently present technical accounting positions, M&A impacts, and financial risks to senior leadership and external auditors.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Accounting or Finance.
12+ years of progressive accounting experience, including a foundational background in Big 4 public accounting, followed by leadership roles in a publicly traded corporate environment.
Proven track record of leading complex M&A transactions from due diligence through valuation (PPA) and full accounting integration.
5+ years of experience directly managing and developing a technical accounting team.

Responsibilities

Lead the accounting due diligence process for potential acquisitions, identifying financial risks, valuation considerations, and structuring impacts.
Oversee Purchase Price Allocation (PPA), valuation of intangible assets, and the establishment of opening balance sheets.
Drive the seamless post-merger accounting integration of acquired entities into the corporate ecosystem, aligning policies and systems.
Ownership of global accounting policies to ensure uniformity and compliance with US GAAP.
Oversee complex Stock-Based Compensation (SBC) accounting, disclosures, ESPP, deferred compensation, and the preparation of the Statement of Equity.
Act as the subject matter expert on areas such as capitalized software, deferred contract costs, inventory accounting, complex purchase commitments, and compensation related topics.
Mentor, develop, and inspire a high-performing team of technical accounting professionals, fostering a culture of continuous learning and excellence.
Act as a trusted advisor and strategic partner to Corporate Development, Legal, Corporate Accounting, Tax, and R&D Functions to support business initiatives.
Confidently present technical accounting positions, M&A impacts, and financial risks to senior leadership and external auditors.