Chief Accounting Officer

Description

The Chief Accounting Officer (CAO) is a senior leadership role reporting to the CFO and responsible for overseeing the accounting and related financial operations of the company and for collaborating with other senior leaders to support strategic financial decisions and the effective scaling of the company towards achievement of its mission.

The CAO plays a critical role in maintaining the integrity of the company’s financial policies, practices and internal controls and ensures that financial statements are accurate, compliant with regulations, and provide a clear view of the company’s financial performance. The CAO also ensures that financial operations support the business and scale efficiently. 

Key Responsibilities:

Accounting Policy, Financial Reporting and Compliance:

• Develop and implement accounting policies, procedures, and internal controls to ensure accurate and timely financial reporting.
• Oversee the preparation and analysis of accurate and timely financial statements in accordance with U.S. GAAP.
• Ensure compliance with all regulatory requirements, including SEC filings (when applicable), tax reporting, and other statutory obligations.
• Manage the annual audit process, liaising with external auditors to ensure a smooth and efficient audit.

Accounting & Financial Operations:

• Lead and manage the accounting and related financial operations team.
• Oversee the maintenance of the general ledger and accounting systems and ensure that the integrity of financial data is maintained.
• Oversee related financial operations, including deal desk, invoicing, field inventory, etc.

Strategic Leadership:

• Collaborate with the CFO and other senior leaders to develop and execute the company’s financial strategy.
• Provide insights and recommendations on financial performance, business opportunities, customer contracts and risk management.
• Act as a strategic partner to the executive team, providing leadership and guidance on financial matters.
• Support FP&A and other leaders in budgeting and forecasting processes, customer contracts and ad hoc analysis to achieve desired outcomes.

Team Leadership and Development:

• Mentor, coach, and develop the accounting and financial operations teams based in the U.S., Europe and Israel to ensure high performance and continuous professional development.
• Foster a culture of accountability, teamwork, and continuous improvement across all of the CFO org.

Risk Management:

• Identify and mitigate financial risks related to the company’s operations and financial transactions.
• Ensure the company has effective controls in place to manage financial risk.
• System Implementation and Optimization:
• Lead initiatives to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of accounting and financial systems and processes.
• Evaluate and implement new accounting technologies, software and automations to improve financial reporting and operations.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field; CPA required.
• Minimum of 15-20 years of progressive accounting experience, with at least 5 years in a senior leadership role.
• Strong experience in managing accounting operations, financial reporting, and compliance in a publicly traded company.
• Proven track record of leading, developing, scaling high-performing teams distributed across regions/time zones.
• Technical Skills:
• Deep knowledge of GAAP, SEC regulations, and other relevant standards.
• Proficiency in accounting and financial software (e.g., NetSuite, Salesforce).
• Deep experience in complex accounting areas like revenue recognition, stock-based compensation, foreign currency, etc.
• Experience in driving automation into accounting and financial operations.
• Advanced knowledge of financial analysis.
• Knowledge in tax accounting and compliance.
• Leadership and Management:
• Strong leadership and interpersonal skills, with the ability to influence and collaborate with executive teams.
• Excellent problem-solving skills and the ability to think strategically and analytically.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
• Communication Skills and Personal Attributes:
• Exceptional written/verbal communication skills, with ability to present complex financial information clearly and concisely to non-financial stakeholders.
• Ability to build strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders, including auditors, regulators, and investors.
• High level of integrity and ethical standards.
• Strong attention to detail and accuracy.
• Proactive, self-motivated, and results-driven.