Sr. Director, Technical Accounting

Company Description

Our Mission

At Palo Alto Networks® everything starts and ends with our mission:

Being the cybersecurity partner of choice, protecting our digital way of life.

We have the vision of a world where each day is safer and more secure than the one before. These aren’t easy goals to accomplish – but we’re not here for easy. We’re here for better. We are a company built on the foundation of challenging and disrupting the way things are done, and we’re looking for innovators who are as committed to shaping the future of cybersecurity as we are.

We’re changing the nature of work. Palo Alto Networks is evolving to meet the needs of our employees now and in the future through FLEXWORK, our approach to how we work. From benefits to learning, location to leadership, we’ve rethought and recreated every aspect of the employee experience at Palo Alto Networks.  And because it FLEXes around each individual employee based on their individual choices, employees are empowered to push boundaries and help us all evolve, together.

Job Description

Your Career

We are seeking an enthusiastic, experienced, and dedicated professional to lead our Technical Accounting group. Someone not afraid to roll up their sleeves and get into the details, while being able to step back and see the big picture. This position will report to the SVP, Chief Accounting Officer and will lead and manage the Technical Accounting, Technical Revenue, SBC accounting and M&A accounting. This position will provide accounting expertise and work on high-profile special projects within the accounting function. This candidate must have extensive knowledge and experience in interpreting and applying technical accounting pronouncements. 

Your Impact

• Develop and implement accounting policies and procedures that ensure compliance with GAAP and other relevant accounting standards
• Lead the research, assessment and documentation of the Company’s positions on complex accounting matters 
• Proactively follow accounting standards development and the implementation of new accounting pronouncements 
• Assist with evaluating the accounting consequences of potential transactions and provide input and suggestions to planned and proposed agreements and ventures
• Assist FP&A team with forecasts and budgets relating to relevant technical accounting transactions
• Lead technical revenue research and analysis - Support sales executives and deals desk on deal structuring to optimize bookings, billings, ARR and revenue
• Lead M&A activity as it relates to due diligence and the purchase price allocation and direct the use of third-party advisors where needed
• Lead M&A accounting operations integration
• Train and develop team members and provide periodic feedback regarding performance

Qualifications

Your Experience

• Excellent technical accounting background with a thorough knowledge of US GAAP and SEC reporting standards, as well as experience with technical research and preparation of accounting position papers
• Bachelor's degree in Accounting and CPA is required or equivalent military experience required
• Minimum of 15 years of experience, including at least 8 years at a Big Four public accounting firm - National office experience is recommended
• Strong written skills - ability to clearly and concisely document and effectively communicate complex accounting and reporting issues to finance and non-finance personnel
• Strong analytical and problem solving skills 
• Ability to work independently in a fast-paced environment, meet deadlines, multi-task, and manage individuals 
• Outstanding project management skills to establish and meet deadlines. 
• Excellent oral and written communications
• Excellent interpersonal skills, detail oriented, with high level of ethics and integrity

Additional Information

The Team

The Technical Accounting team is a fun group of specialists who are responsible for analyzing complex accounting issues and developing policies and procedures to ensure compliance with GAAP and other regulatory standards. They work closely with other departments, such as legal and investor relations, product development to ensure timely and accurate reporting.

Our Commitment

We’re trailblazers that dream big, take risks, and challenge cybersecurity’s status quo. It’s simple: we can’t accomplish our mission without diverse teams innovating, together.

We are committed to providing reasonable accommodations for all qualified individuals with a disability. If you require assistance or accommodation due to a disability or special need, please contact us at