Logo
Western Digital

Chief Accounting Officer

Western Digital, San Jose

Save Job

1 day ago Be among the first 25 applicants

Company Description
At Western Digital, our vision is to power global innovation and push the boundaries of technology to make what you thought was once impossible, possible.

Salary Range: 289, ,600.00
Company Description
At Western Digital, our vision is to power global innovation and push the boundaries of technology to make what you thought was once impossible, possible.
At our core, Western Digital is a company of problem solvers. People achieve extraordinary things given the right technology. For decades, weve been doing just that. Our technology helped people put a man on the moon.
We are a key partner to some of the largest and highest growth organizations in the world. From energizing the most competitive gaming platforms, to enabling systems to make cities safer and cars smarter and more connected, to powering the data centers behind many of the worlds biggest companies and public cloud, Western Digital is fueling a brighter, smarter future.
Binge-watch any shows, use social media or shop online lately? Youll find Western Digital supporting the storage infrastructure behind many of these platforms. And, that flash memory card that captures and preserves your most precious moments? Thats us, too.
We offer an expansive portfolio of technologies, storage devices and platforms for business and consumers alike. Our data-centric solutions are comprised of the Western Digital, G-Technology, SanDisk and WD brands.
Todays exceptional challenges require your unique skills. Its You & Western Digital. Together, were the next BIG thing in data.
Job Description
The Chief Accounting Officer (CAO) will act as a business partner to the CEO, CFO, and other members of the leadership team to provide effective management of financial data to support business strategy. They will oversee and ensure the timely delivery of external reporting requirements including quarterly and annual financials, debt covenant requirements, and other required disclosures. The CAO will also provide leadership in developing harmonized financial reporting and an effective enterprise-wide system of internal controls to ensure the financial integrity of reported results for the business.
Key Responsibilities

  • Manage all aspects of world-wide accounting, including monitoring internal controls, Sarbanes-Oxley, and GAAP compliance. Oversee the quarterly and annual financial close process and ensure the timely preparation of financial statements/SEC filings and required reporting to regulatory agencies under federal, state, and local government regulations.
  • Assess financial accounting organization, finding ways to redesign the function to better address external reporting requirements and leverage recently implemented investments in information systems. Implement high impact processes to deliver effective financial reporting and improved financial results and business practices across the globe, creating a "no surprises" reporting environment. Increase perception and scale of accounting centers of excellence.
  • Provide oversight and leadership of global tax strategy, compliance, and accounting.
  • Interface with the Audit Committee and external auditors. Anticipate key issues that may arise and any potential informational needs. Be prepared to discuss ongoing performance, special projects, and to address any other issues/topics.
  • Recruit, train, and develop a high performing global accounting team to ensure current and future leadership of the accounting function.
  • Coordinate with Internal Audit and foreign operations to harmonize and drive continuous improvement in worldwide accounting and internal control processes inclusive of Sarbanes-Oxley and other statutory compliance programs. Ensure the development and institutionalization of strong accounting, policies, procedures, controls, and reporting systems; communicate such standards across the organization and enforce compliance with "best practices."
  • Provide guidance, training, and support for worldwide business unit and operations finance leads to ensure that reporting and compliance objectives are achieved and inclusive of supporting talent development and organizational design initiatives.
  • Support of Western Digitals management by providing sound financial and strategic advice to assist in the effective management of the business.
  • Interface with Treasury to ensure effective integration of data and reporting.
  • Effectively manage the audit process and relationships with external auditors.
  • Partnering closely with the Finance Leadership Team, strategically plan and execute company separation goals for the Accounting organization.
DESIRED OUTCOMES
  • Successful separation of WD's HDD and Flash business units.
  • Prepare global team for post-split day one.
  • Develop global service delivery strategy for the accounting function and how to be more effective and efficient in the shared services model approach.
  • Build a financial systems strategy and roadmap, aligning both organization (Flash/HDD) ERPs.
  • Develop roadmap and prepare Flash organization for future SOX certification.
  • Hire and organize post-split day one people organization.
Qualifications
IDEAL EXPERIENCE
Global, Public Company Financial Management Experience
A minimum of 20 years of financial leadership experience in positions of increasing scope and responsibility at companies with significant international operations. Demonstrated controllership experiences in a highly complex, global manufacturing organization with geographically disperse sales, engineering, and factory reporting locations. Will have led a geographically disperse finance and accounting function. Experience with public company external reporting requirements. Solid knowledge of US GAAP and the ever-changing regulatory environment. Experience with centering global accounting operations including use of third-party accounting service providers.
Leadership experience in a global manufacturing environment
A demonstrated track record of delivering reliable, timely, and accurate consolidated financial results in a global manufacturing environment.
Proven ability to leverage technology to improve operating efficiencies and reduce costs
Ability to identify and analyze business issues using advanced financial tools/information technology. Proficiency in financial reporting tools and SAP/Oracle experience preferred. Excellent project management skills and a continuous process improvement mentality.
Superior analytical skills
  • Demonstrated ability to analyze financial results to identify variations and trends that indicate possible exposures and the need for countermeasures as well as market trends that may present potential new business opportunities.
Organizational development experience
  • A track record of recruiting, developing, and retaining top talent. A focus on developing talent and bench strength as a coach and mentor; capable of providing individual staff members with opportunities for professional and personal growth.
Relationship development
  • Proven ability to interact effectively with financial industry constituencies, peer executives, and a Board of Directors and Audit Committee in a public company setting. Ability to effectively interact with financial institutions, external auditors, and other outside organizations.
  • Certification and bachelors degree required
  • Candidate credentials will include an undergraduate degree or international equivalent of a four-year college degree in accounting, finance, or other related discipline. Appropriate certification, such as a CPA, CMA, or an international equivalent is required. An MBA or other advanced degree will be given preferred consideration.
Critical Leadership Capabilities
Leading Change
  • Publicly identifies needed changes and have the conviction and ability to present a point of view to the companys senior management and key stakeholders.
  • Challenges assumptions about the way things are done. The successful candidate will be able to say no while at the same time offering alternative solutions.
  • Adjusts communication style to the audience to help them understand and accept the change.
  • Comfortable with the tension of corporate role and interface with the businesses around strategy, challenge, and ideas.
  • Enables higher performance by incrementally improving approaches based on calculated risks and benefits.
  • Benchmarks own performance against industry best practices.
  • Proactively seeks to improve processes and implement best in class solutions, raising quality and productivity in a calculated way.
  • Identifies new processes and/or systems to improve productivity and/or make the business more efficient.
Driving Results
  • Enables higher performance by incrementally improving approaches based on calculated risks and benefits.
  • Benchmarks own performance against industry best practices.
  • Proactively seeks to improve processes and implement best in class solutions, raising quality and productivity in a calculated way.
  • Identifies new processes and/or systems to improve productivity and/or make the business more efficient.
Leading People
  • Gives ownership to the entire team to deliver on a strategic objective.
  • Passes leadership responsibilities down through the organization, ensuring alignment with the overall strategy and/or direction.
  • Sets up forums or practices to reinforce independent and open communication among team members.
  • Gives the team broader visibility inside the organization, including publicly recognizing its accomplishments.
Other Personal Characteristics
  • Integrity, credibility, and character with demonstrated moral and ethical behavior.
Additional Information
Western Digital is committed to providing equal opportunities to all applicants and employees and will not discriminate based on their race, color, ancestry, religion (including religious dress and grooming standards), sex (including pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions, breastfeeding or related medical conditions), gender (including a persons gender identity, gender expression, and gender-related appearance and behavior, whether or not stereotypically associated with the persons assigned sex at birth), age, national origin, sexual orientation, medical condition, marital status (including domestic partnership status), physical disability, mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, protected medical and family care leave, Civil Air Patrol status, military and veteran status, or other legally protected characteristics. We also prohibit harassment of any individual on any of the characteristics listed above. Our non-discrimination policy applies to all aspects of employment. We comply with the laws and regulations set forth in the Equal Employment Opportunity is the Law poster.
Western Digital thrives on the power and potential of diversity. As a global company, we believe the most effective way to embrace the diversity of our customers and communities is to mirror it from within. We believe the fusion of various perspectives results in the best outcomes for our employees, our company, our customers, and the world around us. We are committed to an inclusive environment where every individual can thrive through a sense of belonging, respect and contribution.
Western Digital is committed to offering opportunities to applicants with disabilities and ensuring all candidates can successfully navigate our careers website and our hiring process. Please contact us at to advise us of your accommodation request. In your email, please include a description of the specific accommodation you are requesting as well as the job title and requisition number of the position for which you are applying.
Compensation & Benefits Details
  • An employees pay position within the salary range may be based on several factors including but not limited to (1) relevant education; qualifications; certifications; and experience; (2) skills, ability, knowledge of the job; (3) performance, contribution and results; (4) geographic location; (5) shift; (6) internal and external equity; and (7) business and organizational needs.
  • The salary range is what we believe to be the range of possible compensation for this role at the time of this posting. We may ultimately pay more or less than the posted range and this range is only applicable for jobs to be performed in California, Colorado, New York or remote jobs that can be performed in California, Colorado and New York. This range may be modified in the future.
  • If your position is non-exempt, you are eligible for overtime pay pursuant to company policy and applicable laws. You may also be eligible for shift differential pay, depending on the shift to which you are assigned.
  • You will be eligible to be considered for bonuses under either Western Digitals Short Term Incentive Plan (STI Plan) or the Sales Incentive Plan (SIP) which provides incentive awards based on Company and individual performance, depending on your role and your performance. You may be eligible to participate in our annual Long-Term Incentive (LTI) program, which consists of restricted stock units (RSUs) or cash equivalents, pursuant to the terms of the LTI plan. Please note that not all roles are eligible to participate in the LTI program, and not all roles are eligible for equity under the LTI plan. RSU awards are also available to eligible new hires, subject to Western Digitals Standard Terms and Conditions for Restricted Stock Unit Awards.
  • We offer a comprehensive package of benefits including paid vacation time; paid sick leave; medical/dental/vision insurance; life, accident and disability insurance; tax-advantaged flexible spending and health savings accounts; employee assistance program; other voluntary benefit programs such as supplemental life and AD&D, legal plan, pet insurance, critical illness, accident and hospital indemnity; tuition reimbursement; transit; the Applause Program; employee stock purchase plan; and the Western Digital Savings 401(k) Plan.
  • Note: No amount of pay is considered to be wages or compensation until such amount is earned, vested, and determinable. The amount and availability of any bonus, commission, benefits, or any other form of compensation and benefits that are allocable to a particular employee remains in the Company's sole discretion unless and until paid and may be modified at the Companys sole discretion, consistent with the law.
Notice To Candidates: Please be aware that Western Digital and its subsidiaries will never request payment as a condition for applying for a position or receiving an offer of employment. Should you encounter any such requests, please report it immediately to Western Digital Ethics Helpline or email
Seniority level
  • Seniority level
    Executive
Employment type
  • Employment type
    Full-time
Job function
  • Job function
    Finance
  • Industries
    Computer Hardware Manufacturing, Computers and Electronics Manufacturing, and Semiconductor Manufacturing

Referrals increase your chances of interviewing at Western Digital by 2x

Get notified about new Chief Accounting Officer jobs in San Jose, CA .

San Jose, CA $289,170.00-$409,600.00 7 hours ago

Campbell, CA $300,000.00-$375,000.00 1 month ago

Fremont, CA $130,000.00-$165,000.00 1 day ago

San Jose, CA $400,000.00-$650,000.00 3 weeks ago

Santa Clara, CA $440,000.00-$632,500.00 5 days ago

San Jose, CA $150,000.00-$200,000.00 2 days ago

San Francisco Bay Area $150,000.00-$200,000.00 9 hours ago

San Francisco Bay Area $155,000.00-$195,000.00 2 weeks ago

Senior Controller Single Family Office

San Jose, CA $340,000.00-$380,000.00 3 weeks ago

San Jose, CA $140,000.00-$170,000.00 2 weeks ago

San Jose, CA $130,000.00-$160,000.00 3 weeks ago

Palo Alto, CA $150,000.00-$195,500.00 3 weeks ago

San Jose, CA $180,000.00-$190,000.00 4 weeks ago

Assistant Controller - Growing Manufacturing Company - 100% Remote

Fremont, CA $150,000.00-$180,000.00 1 week ago

Palo Alto, CA $340,000.00-$380,000.00 3 weeks ago

Senior Director, Revenue Accounting and Assurance

San Jose, CA $154,900.00-$319,900.00 1 week ago

Assistant Controller / Director of Accounting

Redwood City, CA $172,000.00-$238,000.00 2 weeks ago

Menlo Park, CA $195,000.00-$250,000.00 3 weeks ago

Were unlocking community knowledge in a new way. Experts add insights directly into each article, started with the help of AI.

#J-18808-Ljbffr