[Remote] Director, Financial Reporting & Technical Accounting

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