Senior Director, Accounting

At F5, we strive to bring a better digital world to life. Our teams empower organizations across the globe to create, secure, and run applications that enhance how we experience our evolving digital world. We are passionate about cybersecurity, from protecting consumers from fraud to enabling companies to focus on innovation. 
 

Everything we do centers around people. That means we obsess over how to make the lives of our customers, and their customers, better. And it means we prioritize a diverse F5 community where each individual can thrive.

At F5, Inc., we’re not just a company – we’re a community of innovators shaping the future of application delivery and security. As a global leader in multi-cloud application services, we are driving the digital transformation for some of the world’s largest enterprises, governments, and service providers. At F5, you’ll join a team of talented, forward-thinking professionals dedicated to solving complex challenges and creating cutting-edge solutions.

Working at F5 means collaborating with passionate peers, fostering a culture of inclusivity, and having a real impact on the world’s digital landscape. We’re big on empowering our employees with the tools and opportunities they need to grow, thrive, and deliver their best work. With a commitment to innovation and continuous improvement, we’ve built an environment where your contributions are valued, your career growth is a priority, and your work-life balance matters.

If you’re ready to be part of a dynamic team that’s making a real difference, F5 is the place for you.

Job Summary

We are seeking a highly experienced and detail-oriented Senior Director, Accounting to oversee and lead our financial reporting and corporate accounting operations for our publicly traded company. This role will be responsible for the accurate and timely preparation of financial reports, ensuring compliance with SEC reporting requirements and regulations, SOX compliance, and US GAAP standards. This position will lead the the teams responsible for our external SEC financial reporting as well as the core accounting teams within our global headquarters, responsible for internal management reporting and consolidations, and accounting for: fixed assets, leases, commissions, and accounts payable. The role will collaborate with various departments and provide strategic financial insights to drive the company's success.

Key Responsibilities:

Financial Reporting, Accounting & Compliance

Financial Reporting:

• Oversee the preparation of timely and accurate financial statements, including consolidation of income statements, balance sheets, cash flow statements, across multiple countries and currencies, ensuring accurate and timely reporting.
• Lead our external financial reporting function, ensuring timely and accurate SEC (10-K, 10-Q) and other required filings.
• Oversee and provide insight into the preparation and review of financial statements, footnote and other disclosures, as well as the MD&A to ensure alignment with requirements and best practices.
• Lead quarterly meetings (e.g. disclosure committee) and other ad hoc meetings, with executive attendance concerning our financial statements and disclosures.
• Oversee the preparation and submission of local statutory reports, audits, and tax filings in all relevant jurisdictions, partnering with the tax team when applicable.
• Stay informed about evolving global financial regulations and policies, adjusting company processes as needed to maintain compliance.
• Research, implement, and adopt new accounting standards, impacting the Company’s financial statements and document and maintain our supporting conclusions.

Accounting:

• Develop and lead standardization and modernization efforts over accounting processes and controls across F5’s global accounting teams.
• Collaborate with accounting teams across various global regions, ensuring alignment with corporate financial goals and local regulations.
• Maintain a deep understanding of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) and apply them in preparing and reviewing accounting transactions and financial reports.

Compliance:

• Collaborate with external auditors during quarterly reviews and annual audits to ensure smooth and efficient audit processes.
• Manage compliance with Sarbanes-Oxley (SOX) requirements, including 404 compliance, ensuring appropriate controls are in place and regularly monitored.
• Develop, implement, and monitor internal controls to safeguard company assets and ensure the accuracy of financial records.
• Continuously review and improve accounting processes and systems, identifying opportunities for automation and efficiency.
• Partner with IT to ensure that financial systems meet current and future reporting needs.

Leadership & Team Management

• Lead and develop the Financial Reporting and Corporate Accounting teams to ensure high performance and productivity.
• Set goals and performance expectations, providing regular feedback and professional development opportunities.
• Partner with the Corporate Controller to foster a collaborative and efficient work environment that encourages continuous improvement in processes and workflows.

Qualifications

Experience and Education

• CPA designation or equivalent professional certification.
• Bachelor’s degree in accounting, Finance, or related field
• 10+ years of progressive accounting experience, including at least 7 years in leadership roles in public companies or high-growth organizations.
• Proven expertise in managing complex financial operations, including financial reporting, and internal controls in a fast-paced environment.
• Familiarity with financial ERP systems (e.g., Oracle, Coupa), financial reporting software (Workiva), and financial automation tools (UiPath, Alteryx), strongly preferred.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Possess a critical thinking mindset with an execution skillset.
• Ability to meet or exceed deadlines.
• Expert knowledge of SEC reporting requirements, US GAAP, IFRS, and SOX compliance.
• Deep understanding of technical accounting and US GAAP.
• Experience in specific financial reporting disclosures within the technology industry (i.e. SaaS KPIs, etc) is a plus.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Excellent analytical skills and attention to detail.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team environment.
• Strategic thinker with a strong business acumen and problem-solving abilities.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to work effectively across departments and with external stakeholders.

Physical Demands and Work Environment

• Duties are performed in a normal office environment while sitting at a desk or computer table. 
• Duties require the ability to utilize a computer, communicate over the telephone, and read printed material.
• Duties may require being on call periodically or working outside normal working hours (evenings and weekends).    
• F5 is an equal opportunity employer and strongly supports diversity in the workplace.

The Job Description is intended to be a general representation of the responsibilities and requirements of the job. However, the description may not be all-inclusive, and responsibilities and requirements are subject to change.

F5 maintains broad salary ranges for its roles in order to account for variations in knowledge, skills, experience, geographic locations, and market conditions, as well as to reflect F5’s differing products, industries, and lines of business. The pay range referenced is as of the time of the job posting and is subject to change.

You may also be offered incentive compensation, bonus, restricted stock units, and benefits. More details about F5’s benefits can be found at the following link: https://www.f5.com/company/careers/benefits. F5 reserves the right to change or terminate any benefit plan without notice. 

Please note that F5 only contacts candidates through F5 email address (ending with @f5.com) or auto email notification from Workday (ending with f5.com or @myworkday.com).

Equal Employment Opportunity

It is the policy of F5 to provide equal employment opportunities to all employees and employment applicants without regard to unlawful considerations of race, religion, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, sensory, physical, or mental disability, marital status, veteran or military status, genetic information, or any other classification protected by applicable local, state, or federal laws. This policy applies to all aspects of employment, including, but not limited to, hiring, job assignment, compensation, promotion, benefits, training, discipline, and termination.  F5 offers a variety of reasonable accommodations for candidates. Requesting an accommodation is completely voluntary. F5 will assess the need for accommodations in the application process separately from those that may be needed to perform the job. Request by contacting accommodations@f5.com.