Technical Accounting Lead

Keysight Technologies; Santa Rosa (CA); On-site; USD 140,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

Keysight Technologies is seeking a seasoned Technical Accounting Lead to own complex accounting matters, guide policy development, and drive the adoption of new standards. You will coordinate with valuation specialists and external auditors during acquisitions and ensure SOX controls are aligned with heading initiatives.

The role requires deep U.S. GAAP expertise, strong collaboration with Finance, Legal, Tax, and IS, and the ability to translate nuanced guidance into practical, scalable

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting; CPA preferred.
• 10–12+ years of progressive technical accounting experience.
• Experience with ASC 805, SEC reporting, and external auditors.

Responsibilities

• Own and evolve accounting policy framework ensuring scalable, audit-ready application of U.S. GAAP and SEC requirements.
• Lead adoption of new accounting standards, including impact assessments and controls.
• Lead purchase accounting under ASC 805, coordinating with valuation specialists and SOX controls.
• Coordinate with external auditors to establish early alignment on key judgments.
• Collaborate across Finance, Legal, Tax, and IS to translate guidance into practical processes.

Skills

Technical accounting

Acquisition accounting

U.S. GAAP & SEC

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Accounting

CPA certification

Job description

Keysight is at the forefront of technology innovation, delivering breakthroughs and trusted insights in electronic design, simulation, prototyping, test, manufacturing, and optimization. Our ~15,000 employees create world-class solutions in communications, 5G, automotive, energy, quantum, aerospace, defense, and semiconductor markets for customers in over 100 countries. Learn more about what we do.

Our award-winning culture embraces a bold vision of where technology can take us and a passion for tackling challenging problems with industry-first solutions. We believe that when people feel a sense of belonging, they can be more creative, innovative, and thrive at all points in their careers.

As Technical Accounting Lead, you will become a trusted advisor on complex accounting matters across Keysight. You will take ownership of technical accounting conclusions, translate them into clear, audit-ready positions, and guide their implementation across processes, controls, and disclosures. You will also help lead Keysight’s accounting policy framework and a major accounting standards implementation already underway, giving you immediate influence and meaningful work from the start.

When Keysight pursues acquisitions, you will play a central role from due diligence through purchase accounting and integration. You will lead ASC 805 work, coordinate fair value and purchase price allocation activities with external valuation specialists, oversee related SOX controls, and help align conclusions with external auditors. This work provides visibility across Corporate Finance, Legal, Tax, FP&A, business leaders, and executives, along with exposure to the strategic and operational decisions behind each transaction.

This is an opportunity for an experienced technical accountant who wants to remain close to the work while expanding their influence across a global public company. You will join the Global Financial Reporting & Compliance team and report to the Accounting Policies and M&A Manager.

What you will own:

• Serve as a trusted technical accounting resource for complex, routine, and non-routine business questions
• Own and evolve Keysight’s Accounting and Finance Manual and broader accounting policy framework
• Research complex accounting matters and develop clear, concise technical memoranda and position papers
• Lead the adoption of new accounting standards, including impact assessments, implementation plans, controls, and stakeholder education
• Lead purchase accounting under ASC 805 when acquisition activity occurs, including fair value, purchase price allocation, integration considerations, and related SOX controls
• Coordinate with external valuation specialists and auditors to establish early alignment on significant judgments
• Partner across Finance, Legal, Tax, Information Systems, and the business to turn accounting conclusions into practical, scalable solutions
• Lead workstreams and provide technical guidance and mentorship without requiring formal authority

Why this role:

• Own complex accounting matters from initial research through implementation, controls, and disclosures
• Remain deeply involved in technical accounting while building broader organizational influence
• Lead a significant accounting standards implementation with immediate, visible impact
• Gain meaningful exposure to acquisitions and the business strategy behind each transaction
• Work directly with experienced valuation specialists, external auditors, finance leaders, and cross-functional partners
• Help shape accounting policies and processes used across a global public company

Responsibilities:

• Own and evolve Keysight’s accounting policy framework, ensuring the scalable, consistent, and audit-ready application of U.S. GAAP and SEC requirements.
• Monitor FASB and SEC developments and lead the adoption of new Accounting Standards Updates, including impact assessments, implementation plans, and stakeholder training.
• Lead technical accounting research for complex, routine, and non-routine transactions. Draft, review, and socialize clear conclusion memoranda and position papers with key stakeholders.
• Partner cross-functionally with Controllership, Financial Operations, Information Systems, and Business Unit Finance to implement new standards and transaction accounting requirements, translating technical guidance into practical processes and controls.
• Serve as a primary technical accounting liaison for external auditors, driving early alignment on key judgments to prevent late-cycle issues.
• Lead purchase accounting under ASC 805, including coordinating with third-party valuation specialists on fair value and purchase price allocation and supporting accounting considerations throughout the integration process.
• Ensure that accounting policy, SEC reporting, and deal-related processes operate within an effective SOX control environment. Maintain clear documentation and support control testing.
• Lead special projects and workstreams by establishing clear milestones, stakeholders, and deliverables, including memoranda, playbooks, and process improvements. Manage timelines and drive projects to completion.
• Contribute to continuous improvement initiatives across technical accounting, reporting, and compliance as business priorities evolve.

Qualifications:

Working model and expectations: This position involves limited travel as needed for acquisitions and periodic increases in workload around quarter-end and annual reporting periods.

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting.
• CPA certification required.
• Typically, 10 to 12+ years of progressive technical accounting experience, ideally combining Big Four audit or accounting advisory experience with experience supporting a large, multinational public company.
• Recognized expertise in technical accounting, demonstrated by serving as a trusted resource for complex accounting matters and influencing decisions with company-level impact.
• Extensive experience performing complex accounting research and technical accounting activities within, or on behalf of, a large multinational company. Ability to synthesize information, apply sound judgment, formulate well-supported conclusions, and document those conclusions in thorough, concise technical accounting memoranda and position papers.
• Strong command of U.S. GAAP and SEC requirements, with the ability to interpret and apply guidance in complex and judgmental areas such as business combinations under ASC 805, revenue recognition, leases, equity and stock-based compensation, and impairment.
• Direct experience leading or playing a significant role in acquisition accounting, including purchase price accounting, fair value considerations, purchase price allocation, coordination with valuation specialists, and integration-related accounting matters.
• Experience supporting SEC registrant reporting and disclosures, including Forms 10-K and 10-Q, and partnering directly with external auditors to establish alignment on complex technical accounting positions.
• Demonstrated ability to operate independently as a technical or business consultant to finance leaders, senior management, and cross-functional stakeholders.
• Ability to translate complex accounting guidance and conclusions into clear, succinct, and practical recommendations for audiences with varying levels of accounting knowledge.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills, strong interpersonal judgment, and the ability to listen carefully and adapt communication to the audience.
• Demonstrated intuition and awareness to identify when additional information or clarification is needed to reach accurate, well-supported conclusions and deliver results.
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making skills, with the ability to address complex, high-impact accounting and business issues.
• Demonstrated ability to lead high-impact and longer-term workstreams, coach and mentor others, and influence stakeholders without formal authority.
• Superior project management skills, including the ability to establish priorities, manage multiple complex initiatives, coordinate contributors across functions, and drive work to completion.