Director of Accounting

Fortinet is a global leader and innovator in network security. We provide high performance cybersecurity solutions to a wide variety of enterprises and government organizations of all sizes across the globe. We provide protection against cyberattacks across the entire attack surface through a broad range of security products and solutions, providing customers with an end-to-end platform and a single source of threat intelligence to minimize security gaps. For 2021, we project our billings to be in excess of $4 billion and we are supported by a world-wide employee group of +10,000 in more than 50 countries.

Position Summary

The Director of Accounting reports to the Corporate Controller and will play a critical role in ensuring the integrity, consistency and application of US GAAP, including accounting policies, practices, systems, and SOX compliance, in our Japan entity. He/she will be a key member of the financial team at Fortinet, and will be the Japan accounting leader and ensure that our Japan entities are closed in a timely manner. Assist in the translation of the Japan entity’s JGAAP financials to US GAAP on a monthly basis. He/she will ensure that US GAAP is followed and help manage SOX compliance.

After preparation of the financial statements at the Japanese entity, the successful applicant will work with the SEC reporting, Revenue, Technical Accounting, FP&A, and Investors Relations and provide reporting of activity from our Japanese entity. He or she will also prepare internal management presentations for members of the Audit Committee and executive team. In addition to these responsibilities, this position offers the opportunity to leverage an extensive background of technical accounting and SOX with the intensity, dynamics and rapid change of a high-growth technology company. This individual will have the capacity to drive reporting and technical excellence, while supporting the development of practical business processes and solutions. The Director of Accounting – Japan will have a background in applying and teaching others about new GAAP as well as existing GAAP requirements, be detail oriented and have strong organizational and relationship building skills. This position requires matrix management and strong communication capabilities to educate finance and non-finance personnel.

Major Responsibilities 

• GL Accounting
  • Ensures timely and accurate financial reporting to the management and the head office This person will be responsible in helping close the books of our Japan entities under U.S. GAAP within 7 business days, including translation of financials from JGAAP to US GAAP
  • He/she will be responsible to build his team in order to support Corporate’s SEC timeline. There are currently 4 people who will be reporting to this position.
  • He/she will help review and approve journal entries and reconciliations.
  • Serve as liaison and main contact person for questions or inquiries related to the Japan entity by Corporate and its auditors
  • Provide vision on how to build the group, systems to use, and processes to build and lead the execution of this vision
  • Provides training and coaching to the accounting group. Communicate values, policies, and procedures.
  • ERP implementation
• SOX
  • Develops and documents business processes and accounting policies to maintain and strengthen internal controls. Help build SOX processes, flowcharts, and ensure SOX compliance
  • Serve as liaison between internal and external auditors, and the Japan team
• Reporting
  • Bring leadership and vision to all aspects of accounting, reporting, processes and SEC compliance.
• Responsible for timely preparation of SEC disclosure required documents, supervise data gathering process, updates to document specifically around new disclosures and MD&A sections.
• Proactively monitor current FASB and SEC activities and evaluate the impact of adopting new accounting standards. 
• Operational and Strategic 
  • Work with the Assistant Controller, Director of Technical Accounting, head of FP&A, and Controller to set priorities and work with senior management and the regional teams on various initiatives.
  • Support the Director of Technical Accounting for merger and acquisition accounting, and support functional organizations with respect to due diligence and integration
  • Conduct cross-functional trainings on accounting policies, etc.
  • Assist with other special projects,