Head of Financial Accounting and Tax

Canonical is a leading provider of open source software and operating systems to the global enterprise and technology markets. Our platform, Ubuntu, is widely used in breakthrough enterprise initiatives such as public cloud, data science, AI, engineering innovation, and IoT. The company is a pioneer of global distributed collaboration, with 1200+ colleagues in 75+ countries and very few office-based roles.

We are hiring a Cost Accounting Manager, ideally a candidate with a passion for systems accounting, to drive cost recognition processes, decisions, systems, and reporting. In our finance function, we aspire to set the industry pace for speed and accuracy of reporting by driving alignment across operational processes, cost structures, and financial systems to ensure consistency, transparency, and efficiency.

We are looking for a professionally qualified accounting leader with expertise in cost accounting and IFRS (including IFRS 16/IAS38) to build scalable cost review and cost recognition processes. This lead will work across teams including Information Systems, Legal, Business Services, Financial Planning & Analysis, and Commercial Business Systems to align understanding and ensure that the accounting treatment of costs, vendor management, and operational spend is accurate, consistent, and highly automated.

The Cost Accounting Manager will ensure the proper application of cost accounting guidance for public market scrutiny. We expect to grow a team focused on cost with an emphasis on systems and automation, aiming for clarity, correctness, transparency, and speed of reporting as a global tech company.

Location: This role is home-based in EMEA time zones, with the option to be based in our London office. It will report to our Global Financial Controller.

• Collaborate with Procurement, Commercial Systems, Operations, Legal, and FP&A teams to design and maintain scalable cost management, allocation, and reporting processes.
• Drive process and configuration improvements in NetSuite and related systems for end-to-end automation of the cost life cycle.
• Lead, mentor, and develop a team of cost accounting and systems accounting professionals.
• Assist in month-end cost close, including reconciliations, fluctuation analysis, and other reporting.
• Research and write accounting memos on significant cost recognition and other related policy matters.
• Ensure compliance with internal policies and regulatory requirements while identifying and managing cost accounting risks.

Qualifications:

• An exceptional academic track record from both high school and university.
• An undergraduate degree in Accounting or Finance, or a compelling narrative about your alternative chosen path.
• CPA, ACCA or equivalent with excellent technical accounting skills and IFRS experience.
• Experience in managing cost accounting processes and operational expenses.
• Experience driving cost recognition and scaling accounting processes in a high-growth environment.
• Experience with ERP and operational finance systems, including procurement, expense management, and reporting platforms — NetSuite preferred.
• Experience in a multi-country, multi-currency operations and tax environment.
• Professional written and spoken English.
• Ability to travel twice a year for company events up to two weeks long.
• Public company reporting and revenue accounting experience.
• Software implementation, integration, and user acceptance.
• Software engineering qualification or experience.
• MBA or other relevant business degree.

We consider geographical location, experience, and performance in shaping compensation worldwide. We revisit compensation annually to ensure we recognise outstanding performance. In addition to base pay, we offer a performance-driven annual bonus or commission. We balance our programs to meet local needs and ensure fairness globally.

• Annual compensation review.
• Annual holiday leave.
• Maternity and paternity leave.
• Opportunity to travel to new locations to meet colleagues.
• Priority Pass and travel upgrades for long-haul company events.

As the company that publishes Ubuntu, one of the most important open-source projects and the platform for AI, IoT, and the cloud, we are changing the world of software. Most colleagues at Canonical have worked from home since our inception in 2004. Working here is a step into the future and will challenge you to think differently, work smarter, learn new skills, and raise your game. Diversity of experience, perspectives, and background create a better work environment and better products.