Director, Technical Accounting

About R/GA

In our 40-year history, we’ve changed a lot—from a culture-defining film title studio to an interactive advertising agency; to an award-winning product and marketing agency with design, technology, communications, ventures and IP practices. We like change, and like to navigate our clients through it too. Our approach to work is always human first. This unwavering focus helps us create meaningful and memorable experiences that live across digital platforms and often blur the line between the digital and real worlds. We believe disruptive thinking happens when you collide experts in design, technology and culture.

About the Role

R/GA is entering a new chapter of inorganic growth under private equity ownership. With the recent acquisition of Addition and a pipeline of future targets, we are looking for a Director, Technical Accounting to anchor our M&A financial integration. This role will be the technical architect behind our Buy & Build strategy. You will lead the purchase price accounting for the Addition deal, standardize the accounting integration playbook for future acquisitions and ensure our standalone financial statements are audit-ready. As a key strategic partner to the Executive Director, Global Controller, this role plays a pivotal leadership position in advancing global finance initiatives, strengthening our accounting infrastructure, and ensuring rigor and consistency across regions. This role will work alongside a dedicated Treasury Manager who will be responsible for daily cash management, allowing you to focus purely on technical accounting, M&A and reporting integrity. This is a high-impact role designed for a seasoned accounting leader who enjoys operating at both the strategic and executional levels. You’ll lead the accounting perspective on sophisticated transactions, guide global integrations and system enhancements, and influence how accounting standards are operationalized across the organization.

On any given day you might:

• Lead technical accounting for complex non-routine transactions ensuring compliance with US GAAP and preparing clear audit-ready documentation.
• Own acquisition accounting under ASC 805 including purchase price accounting valuation of intangible assets and goodwill contingent consideration and post-close accounting for current and future acquisitions.
• Partner with executive leadership and investors on M&A activity supporting due diligence identifying accounting risks and advising on deal structure and financial implications.
• Oversee opening balance sheets and post-acquisition integration ensuring acquired entities are aligned with company accounting policies and integrated into close and reporting processes.
• Serve as the technical accounting authority developing and harmonizing accounting policies particularly revenue recognition ASC 606 across a growing multi-entity organization.
• Prepare technical accounting memos and analyses related to complex areas such as equity-based compensation debt arrangements impairments and emerging accounting guidance.
• Lead consolidation and external reporting for a multi-entity structure ensuring accurate intercompany eliminations and scalable reporting processes.
• Act as the primary liaison to external auditors leading audit planning and execution and defending key accounting judgments.
• Support lender and investor reporting ensuring compliance with credit agreements and acquisition-related reporting requirements.
• Drive finance integration for acquired businesses including ERP alignment general ledger migration and adoption of time tracking and project accounting systems.
• Identify and lead accounting process and system improvements to enhance efficiency controls and scalability.
• Collaborate with global finance leaders supporting consistent accounting practices and strong internal controls across regions.
• Advise senior finance leadership on accounting strategy audit readiness and high-priority finance initiatives.

The ideal person:

• Brings depth, confidence, and sound judgment to highly complex accounting matters.
• Enjoys operating as a trusted advisor and problem-solver in ambiguous, evolving environments.
• Thinks holistically about how accounting decisions affect systems, controls, operations, and downstream reporting.
• Can independently assess risks, design solutions, and drive execution without oversight.
• Communicates complex concepts with clarity and credibility to senior stakeholders.
• Demonstrates strong ownership, accountability, and attention to detail in all deliverables.

You bring:

• 10-12+ years of experience, with a specific focus on M&A / Transaction Services (either in Big 4 Transaction Advisory or in-house at an inquisitive company).
• CPA Certification + Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting.
• Experience physically integrating a newly acquired company’s trial balance into a parent company’s ledger.
• Deep expertise in ASC 805 (Business Combinations) and ASC 350 (Intangibles/Goodwill). You must have physically prepared or audited a Purchase Price Allocation before.
• Advanced expertise in the U.S. GAAP, including ASC 606, ASC 842, business combinations, and complex financial instruments.
• Proven experience leading in-house M&A accounting activities, from pre-deal assessments through post-acquisition integration.
• NetSuite experience required; familiarity with SAP, Hyperion, or similar ERP systems strongly preferred.
• Experience operating in global, multi-entity, multi-currency environments (US, LATAM, EMEA, APAC).
• Track record of leading complex accounting initiatives such as system implementations, integrations, or global process redesigns.
• Strong ability to translate accounting standards into scalable systems and operational workflows.
• Advanced Excel skills (VLOOKUPs, Pivot Tables) and skilled in Google Workspace, with strong analytical and modeling capabilities.
• Clear, confident communicator with the ability to influence across functions and seniority levels.
• High standards for accuracy, rigor, and professional judgment in audit and financial decision-making.

Bonus Points if:

• You have experience within the advertising or professional services industry with an understanding of how people-based businesses are valued and integrated versus product companies.
• You have familiarity with the speed and EBITDA-focus of a PE-backed portfolio company.

Location & Compensation

This role is based in the NYC area. Candidates must be located in the NYC tri-state region (NY, NJ, or CT) or willing to relocate. This position offers a hybrid work model, with regular in-person collaboration expected. The hiring range for this position is $160,000 to $180,000. Where an employee or prospective employee is paid within this range will depend on, among other factors, actual ranges for current/former employees in the subject position; budgetary considerations; tenure and standing with the company (applicable to current employees); as well as the employee’s/applicant’s applicable skills, pertinent experience, and qualifications.