Sr Manager, M & A Accounting and Integration - Palo Alto Networks

Our Mission

At Palo Alto Networks® everything starts and ends with our mission:

Being the cybersecurity partner of choice, protecting our digital way of life.
Our vision is a world where each day is safer and more secure than the one before. We are a company built on the foundation of challenging and disrupting the way things are done, and we’re looking for innovators who are as committed to shaping the future of cybersecurity as we are.

Who We Are

We take our mission of protecting the digital way of life seriously. We are relentless in protecting our customers and we believe that the unique ideas of every member of our team contributes to our collective success. Our values were crowdsourced by employees and are brought to life through each of us everyday - from disruptive innovation and collaboration, to execution. From showing up for each other with integrity to creating an environment where we all feel included.

As a member of our team, you will be shaping the future of cybersecurity. We work fast, value ongoing learning, and we respect each employee as a unique individual. Knowing we all have different needs, our development and personal wellbeing programs are designed to give you choice in how you are supported. This includes our FLEXBenefits wellbeing spending account with over 1,000 eligible items selected by employees, our mental and financial health resources, and our personalized learning opportunities - just to name a few!

At Palo Alto Networks, we believe in the power of collaboration and value in-person interactions. This is why our employees generally work full time from our office with flexibility offered where needed. This setup fosters casual conversations, problem-solving, and trusted relationships. Our goal is to create an environment where we all win with precision.

Your Career

Palo Alto Networks has an exciting opportunity for a Sr Manager, M&A Accounting & Integration to join our Finance Team. We are seeking a talented organized individual with a deep analytical mindset and strong interpersonal skills that can lead the end-to-end processes surrounding Palo Alto Networks’ mergers and acquisitions, beginning with financial due diligence (FDD) and ending with integration of acquirees into Palo Alto Networks’ global financial processes. The role will partner with Corporate Development cross-functional M&A team leads, legal, accounting, treasury and other subject matter experts and leaders within the Finance organization.

A successful candidate will be proactive,  confident and solution-oriented, have a broad set of work experiences within a Finance organization, will provide a strong voice to represent Finance throughout the M&A process, and will work collaboratively with Finance leaders (Tax, Treasury, Accounting, FP&A, etc.) and outside of Finance (Corp Dev, Sales, Legal, HR, etc.). This position will report to the VP of Accounting & Reporting. 

Your Impact

• Lead financial due diligence process and direct the use of FDD Advisors where needed
• Analyze target company data to identify historical and projected financial and operating trends, and identify potential liabilities and risks which impact valuation of the target company
• Assess significant accounting practices of target companies
• Provide technical accounting and pro forma presentation advice around deal structure and terms
• Contribute insights and learnings of FDD to the Corporate Development team and Palo Alto Networks’ leadership
• Evaluate budget and overall integration and deal costs expected 
• Identify and resolve financial due diligence key issues and work with cross functional leads to evaluate impact to processes and end to end accounting 
• Lead the purchase price allocation by directing the work of PPA advisors and coordinating with other stakeholders in the organization
• Lead all aspects of finance integration which includes quote to cash, procure to pay, payroll and expense reimbursement, financial reporting, budget and forecast processes across Palo Alto Networks’ global financial processes
• Manage functional teams through the M&A process and ensure deliverables are on time and consistent with the acquisition strategic objectives - Accountable to the Executive team for the integration tracking and overall project execution
• Collaborate in the development of cross-functional integration plans with composure, objectivity, ability to balance diplomacy internally/externally working with extreme focus on results as well as respect for all parties
• Build the foundation for institutional knowledge and scalability of M&A at Palo Alto Networks through the development of the M&A Finance Playbook
• Document processes and impacts and planned integration for those involved with tracking of action items, minutes of meetings and status 
• Facilitate audit requests from external auditors supporting purchase accounting and provide support for any external reporting requirements of the transaction

Your Experience 

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent practical experience in a core business function at a publicly-held technology company or equivalent military experience required, MBA preferred, but not required
• CPA or equivalent a plus with 8+ years of combination of Big 4 and relevant industry experience with a demonstrated ability to understand financial and technology drivers and to deliver results in fast-paced SaaS and Technology companies
• 4+ years’ direct experience in a corporate development function leading M&A transactions through the due diligence and integration lifecycle phases
• Empathetic approach to acquisitions, recognizing the impact on individuals and teams and placing a premium on the employee experience
• Ability to manage projects across multiple functional areas, influencing stakeholders and driving results
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Hands-on and results oriented leader with problem solving and action oriented mindset
• Intellectual curiosity, self-starter, and critical thinker 
• Ability to work in a fast paced environment
• Familiarity with tax and accounting implications of various deal structures

The Team

You have a passion for numbers & integration, our organization has a passion for cybersecurity. You’re looking for a career with a more fulfilling mission. We have open positions to top talent seeking a financial challenge. Our accounting department deals with numbers daily, supporting infrastructure, dealing in automation, building solutions and providing accurate, insightful financial information to empower our business lines. The ideal candidate has exceptional skills in accounting and analytics and an innovative mindset to approach finance problems differently. Our innovation doesn’t stay in Research and Development. Within finance and accounting, we seek people who are looking to try new things, while solving business critical equations. If you’re seeking a financial challenge but with a world-wide impact – this is it.

Compensation Disclosure 

The compensation offered for this position will depend on qualifications, experience, and work location. For candidates who receive an offer at the posted level, the starting base salary (for non-sales roles) or base salary + commission target (for sales/commissioned roles) is expected to be between $138000 - $223500/YR. The offered compensation may also include restricted stock units and a bonus. A description of our employee benefits may be found here.

Our Commitment

We’re problem solvers that take risks and challenge cybersecurity’s status quo. It’s simple: we can’t accomplish our mission without diverse teams innovating, together.

We are committed to providing reasonable accommodations for all qualified individuals with a disability. If you require assistance or accommodation due to a disability or special need, please contact us at  accommodations@paloaltonetworks.com.

Palo Alto Networks is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity in our workplace, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, ancestry, color, family or medical care leave, gender identity or expression, genetic information, marital status, medical condition, national origin, physical or mental disability, political affiliation, protected veteran status, race, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, or other legally protected characteristics.

All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.