Note: The job is a remote job and is open to candidates in USA. Avalara is a high-growth SaaS and AI company seeking a Senior Director of Financial Reporting and Technical Accounting. The role involves leading external reporting, ensuring compliance with U.S. GAAP, and providing technical accounting leadership while managing a team and collaborating across functions.
Responsibilities
- Lead the end-to-end process for the preparation, review, and filing of SEC reports, including Forms 10-K, 10-Q, 8-K, S-1, and other required filings
- Oversee and ensure quality, consistency, and accuracy in financial statement footnotes, MD&A, and non-GAAP disclosures, ensuring alignment with SEC and FASB standards
- Manage the XBRL tagging process, ensuring completeness, accuracy, and consistency with financial statements and disclosures
- Partner cross-functionally with Legal, Investor Relations, and FP&A to coordinate earnings release materials, including scripts, presentations, and Q&A documentation
- Maintain and enhance the company’s disclosure committee process, ensuring timely identification and review of new or evolving disclosure items
- Support executive management and the audit committee in interpreting SEC comment letters, disclosure trends, and peer benchmarking
- Provide authoritative guidance on complex accounting transactions, including: Revenue recognition (ASC 606) for SaaS and usage-based models, Capitalized software and development costs, Equity instruments and stock-based compensation (ASC 718), Business combinations (ASC 805), Leases (ASC 842), AI-related cost structures and data licensing arrangements, New product and partnership agreements
- Research and document positions on new accounting standards and emerging issues
- Maintain a robust library of accounting policies, memos, and technical interpretations, ensuring accessibility and audit readiness
- Serve as a trusted advisor to management and cross-functional teams, providing proactive accounting insights during product launches, partnerships, or strategic transactions
- Oversee the company’s SOX 404 compliance for financial reporting, working closely with internal controls and external auditors
- Maintain and continuously enhance disclosure controls and procedures (DC&P) and internal control over financial reporting (ICFR) to support public company requirements
- Lead quarterly audit review and year-end audit processes, managing requests, audit schedules, and technical position documentation
- Ensure compliance with SEC, FASB, PCAOB, and NASDAQ rules and evolving guidance
- Establish and monitor timeline management for all filings, certifications, and related deliverables to ensure timely submissions
- Build, mentor, and develop a high-performing financial reporting and technical accounting team
- Foster collaboration between Accounting, FP&A, Legal, Investor Relations, and Treasury
- Provide executive-level insights into accounting and reporting impacts of strategic decisions
- Serve as a key liaison with external auditors, legal counsel, and financial advisors
Skills
- Bachelor's degree in Accounting or Finance
- 15+ years of progressive accounting experience, with a blend of Big 4 public accounting and public company reporting
- In-depth knowledge of U.S. GAAP, SEC reporting requirements, XBRL tagging, and the S-1/IPO process
- Strong understanding of software and SaaS industry accounting, including recurring revenue, deferred revenue, and contract modifications
- Proven ability to lead complex reporting projects under tight deadlines in a high-growth environment
- Prior leadership role in a public SaaS company with SEC filings ownership
- Experience coordinating with Disclosure Committees and managing XBRL vendor relationships
- Exceptional attention to detail with the ability to translate complex accounting guidance into clear, actionable insights
- Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to draft and edit financial disclosures
- Highly organized with demonstrated project management and multitasking skills
- Strategic thinker with operational discipline and accountability
- Collaborative leadership style with a commitment to mentoring and developing team talent
- Master's degree preferred
- CPA license (active) preferred
- Experience with AI-related accounting considerations, including data monetization, R&D capitalization, and AI infrastructure arrangements
- Familiarity with Workiva, NetSuite, FloQast, or comparable SEC reporting and close management platforms
Benefits
- Paid time off
- Paid parental leave
- Many Avalara employees are eligible for bonuses
- Private medical insurance
- Life insurance
- Disability insurance
- 8 employee-run resource groups, each with senior leadership and exec sponsorship
Company Overview
Company H1B Sponsorship