Manager - Controllership Operations Accounting

Available Locations - Austin, Texas
About the role
The Manager, Controllership Operations Accounting role is a high-impact, high-visibility position responsible for leading the transformation of Cloudflare's global Accounts Payable (AP) and Employee Expense functions. This is not a static management role; it is an operational leadership role where you will directly influence how our company scales globally. You will be tasked with building the foundation of the future-state AP and Expense processes, with a relentless focus on automation, standardization, and driving a robust SOX control environment. This role is paramount to the success of our global accounting function and requires a rare blend of deep technical accounting expertise (Big 4 background strongly preferred) and proven ability to problem-solve and execute major system changes. Crucially, you will be a key contributor to our complex, company-wide finance transformations ERP implementation project, ensuring a seamless transition and maximizing system value across the organization. If you thrive on implementing solutions, managing multiple complex workstreams, and providing the necessary technical guidance to support a fast-paced, publicly-listed company, this is the opportunity for you.
What you'll do

• Lead Operational Transformation: Directly manage and refine the global AP and Employee Expense processes, pushing for end-to-end automation and standardization to align with industry best practices and support hyper-growth.
• Problem Solving and Decision Making: Act as the primary escalation point for complex operational bottlenecks, using strong analytical skills to make sound, timely decisions that keep global operations moving forward.
• Spearhead Systems Implementation: Serve as a core leader on major accounting-related system implementations, particularly the ERP project. This includes defining requirements, managing testing, data conversion, organizational change management and ensuring the final system design is implemented accurately.
• Reconciliation and General Ledger Integrity: Oversee the reconciliation of AP and Employee Expense-related payments and transactions, ensuring their proper and timely recording in the General Ledger (GL) to support accurate financial close activities.
• Merger & Acquisition Integration: Lead billing, payment, and vendor migrations for merger and acquisition (M&A) activity, including developing and implementing a scalable integration framework for future acquisitions.
• Technical Accounting Guidance (Ad Hoc): Provide ad hoc technical accounting guidance for complex, non-routine transactions, leveraging your strong background to ensure U.S. GAAP compliance when needed.
• Cross-Functional Partnership: Manage and act as liaison in certain Company-wide initiatives and cross-functional projects that directly impact accounts payable or employee expense collaborating effectively with stakeholders across Treasury, Tax, Legal, and FP&A.
• Team Leadership and Development: Oversee and mentor the global accounts payable team, fostering a culture of high performance, continuous improvement, and effective execution.
• Compliance and Control: Ensure the procure-to-pay and expense processes meet all internal and external audit requirements as well as ensuring internal controls are appropriately designed and operating effectively across all areas of responsibility to maintain robust SOX compliance.
• Forecasting and Flux Analysis: Provide AP cash flow forecasting to support free cash flow efforts and financial analysis for AP related account movements.

Examples of desirable skills, knowledge and experience

• Technical Expertise: Public accounting audit experience in a managerial role required; Big 4 firm strongly preferred.
• Certification: CPA, or international equivalent, is required.
• Experience: 5+ years of progressive experience in an accounting or auditing role is required.
• Leadership & Problem Solving: Demonstrated ability to make sound decisions and manage multiple high-priority deliverables and workstreams simultaneously in a fast-paced environment. Strong leadership, organizational, and advanced problem resolution skills are essential.
• Project Management: Proven ability to lead, organize, and manage projects from inception to completion that require coordinated efforts across multiple functional areas (Accounting, Tax, FP&A, Treasury, Legal, Operations).
• Communication: Excellent verbal and written communication skills; must be comfortable connecting and communicating with individuals at all levels of the organization.
• Control Environment: Strong knowledge of SOX requirements, including the ability to assess, develop, and implement internal controls.
• Mindset: Proactive and creative approach, strong analytical skills, and ability to navigate ambiguous situations, bringing options and providing clear recommendations.
• Education: Bachelor's Degree in accounting or related field.
• Systems Proficiency: Proficient in Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.