Western Digital Chief Accounting Officer 

United States, California, San Jose 

336285299

Today’s exceptional challenges require your unique skills. It’s You & Western Digital. Together, we’re the next BIG thing in data.

Position located in either San Jose, CA or Irvine, CA.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Manage all aspects of global accounting, including monitoring internal controls, Sarbanes-Oxley, and GAAP compliance. Oversee the monthly, quarterly and annual financial close process and ensure the timely preparation of financial statements and SEC filings, and required reporting to regulatory agencies under federal, state, and local government regulations.
• Develop the accounting organization, finding ways to streamline the function to better address external reporting requirements and leverage investments in information systems. Implement high impact processes to deliver effective and timely financial reporting and business practices across the globe, creating a "no surprises" reporting environment. Increase effectiveness and scale of accounting centers of excellence and global service centers.
• Interface with the Audit Committee and external auditors. Anticipate key issues that may arise and any informational needs. Be prepared to provide updates on financial reporting, internal controls and compliance, discuss ongoing performance, special projects, and other topics as needed
• Recruit, train, coach 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 global 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 best practices.
• Provide guidance, training, and support for business unit and operations finance leads to ensure that reporting and compliance objectives are achieved.
• Support management by providing sound financial and strategic advice to assist in the effective management of the business.
• Interface with Treasury and Tax to ensure effective integration of data and reporting.
• Effectively manage the quarter-end and year-end audit process and relationships with external auditors.

DESIRED OUTCOMES

• Develop a global service delivery strategy for the accounting function focused on improved effectiveness and efficiency in the shared services model approach.
• Develop and execute a forward-looking financial systems strategy and roadmap that supports automation, scalability, and data driven decision making.
• Strengthen internal controls and compliance, ensuring compliance with SOX and other regulatory requirements.
• Lead and develop a high-performing organization, fostering accountability, continuous improvement and innovation.

IDEAL EXPERIENCE

Financial leadership experience in positions of increasing scope and responsibility at companies with significant international operations. Will have led a geographically disperse finance/accounting function. Experience with public company external reporting requirements. Solid knowledge of US GAAP and regulatory environment. Experience with global accounting operations including use of third-party accounting service providers. Experience in a complex, global manufacturing organization with geographically dispersed sales, engineering and factories is a plus.

Superior analytical skills

Demonstrated ability to analyze financial results to identify variations and trends that indicate possible exposures and the need for countermeasures.

Organizational development experience

A track record of recruiting, developing, coaching, training and retaining top talent. A focus on developing talent and bench strength as a coach and mentor; capable of providing staff members with opportunities for professional and personal growth.

Certification and bachelor’s 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 MBA or other advanced degree will be given preferred consideration.

Leading Change and Driving Results

• Identifies needed changes and has the conviction and ability to present a point of view to 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.
• 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 systems to improve productivity and efficiency.

Leading People

• Empowers the entire team to deliver on strategic objectives.
• Passes leadership responsibilities down through the organization, ensuring alignment with the overall strategy and 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.

Compensation & Benefits Details

• An employee’s 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 Digital’s 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 Digital’s 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 Company’s sole discretion, consistent with the law.