Controller, M&A and Technical Accounting

Mason & Blair, LLC; San Francisco (CA); Hybrid; USD 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Job summary

Mason & Blair, LLC, a billion-dollar, publicly-traded tech company, seeks a highly technical Director of M&A and Technical Accounting to lead accounting support for acquisitions, strategic investments, deal structuring, and complex accounting matters. This hybrid role allows work from San Francisco, New York City, or Boston with senior leadership exposure.

This position focuses on M&A accounting and transaction support while developing technical accounting policy, and coordinates with external

Qualifications

• CPA required.
• 10+ years of progressive accounting experience.
• Experience in Big 4 M&A/Transaction Advisory or National Office technical accounting.
• Deep knowledge of U.S. GAAP, ASC 805, and complex transaction accounting.
• Strong written and verbal communication with executive stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Partner with Corporate Development, Legal, Tax, FP&A, and executives through the transaction lifecycle.
• Provide accounting analysis and structuring support for contemplated transactions.
• Lead purchase accounting under ASC 805, including opening balance sheet and valuation.
• Evaluate deal structures to identify accounting impacts and risks.
• Prepare technical accounting memoranda supporting conclusions.
• Coordinate with external auditors and valuation specialists during transactions.
• Assist with integration-related accounting and post-close implications.

Skills

Executive communication

Cross-functional leadership

Technical accounting research

M&A deal structuring

Independent contributor

Education

CPA certification

Job description

Director, M&A and Technical Accounting (805 and 718 expert)

Hybrid 4 days/week in office in San Francisco, New York City, or Boston

Position Summary

Billion-dollar revenue, global, publicly-traded tech company seeking a highly technical Director of M&A and Technical Accounting to lead accounting support for acquisitions, strategic investments, deal structuring, and complex accounting matters. This role is heavily focused on M&A accounting and transaction support, while the primary focus is on technical accounting research, policy application, and complex accounting conclusions.

This is a high-visibility individual contributor role with direct exposure to executive leadership, including the CAO, CFO, Corporate Development, FP&A, Legal, and external auditors. The ideal candidate brings deep expertise from a Big 4 Transaction Advisory/M&A Accounting practice or a Big 4/National Office technical accounting group and is comfortable operating independently in a fast-paced, deal-oriented environment.

Key Responsibilities

M&A Accounting and Deal Support

• Partner with Corporate Development, Legal, Tax, FP&A, and executive leadership throughout the transaction lifecycle, including acquisitions, divestitures, joint ventures, and strategic investments


• Provide accounting analysis and structuring support for contemplated transactions, including assessment of accounting implications during negotiations


• Lead purchase accounting activities under ASC 805, including valuation coordination, opening balance sheet review, and transaction accounting


• Evaluate deal structures and proposed transaction terms to identify accounting impacts and risks


• Assess earn-outs, contingent consideration, debt/equity features, compensation arrangements, and complex contractual provisions


• Support diligence efforts related to accounting policies, revenue recognition, reserves, contingencies, and historical financial reporting


• Prepare and review technical accounting memoranda supporting transaction-related conclusions


• Coordinate with external auditors and valuation specialists throughout transaction execution


• Assist with integration-related accounting matters and post-close accounting implications


• Serve as the primary accounting advisor to business development teams on strategic transactions

Technical Accounting

• Research and document complex accounting matters under U.S. GAAP


• Draft and maintain technical accounting memos and accounting policy documentation


• Advise on complex accounting topics, including revenue recognition, equity transactions, debt modifications, business combinations, consolidation, and impairment analyses


• Monitor emerging accounting standards and assess applicability to the company


• Support quarterly and annual reporting processes for technical accounting matters


• Assist with SEC reporting implications related to transactions, as applicable

Qualifications

• CPA required


• 10+ years of progressive accounting experience


• Prior experience in one of the following strongly preferred:


• Big 4 M&A / Transaction Advisory Services accounting practice


• Big 4 National Office / Professional Practice group


• Combination of public accounting and industry M&A accounting experience


• Deep knowledge of U.S. GAAP, particularly ASC 805 and complex transaction accounting


• Strong experience drafting technical accounting position papers and interacting with external auditors


• Demonstrated ability to influence deal structure through accounting analysis


• Ability to operate independently as a senior individual contributor in a highly visible environment


• Strong executive communication and cross-functional partnership skills


• Experience supporting public company environments preferred

Preferred Attributes

• Commercially minded with strong business judgment


• Comfortable balancing technical rigor with practical execution


• Able to navigate ambiguity and manage multiple concurrent transactions


• Strong presence and confidence interacting with senior leadership

Reporting Structure

This role reports into the Controllership/Accounting organization and works closely with the CAO, CFO, Corporate Development, Legal, Tax, FP&A, and external auditors.