Chief Accounting Officer

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, we’ve 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 world’s biggest companies and public cloud, Western Digital is fueling a brighter, smarter future.

Binge-watch any shows, use social media or shop online lately? You’ll 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? That’s 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™, and WD® brands.

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

The Chief Accounting Officer (CAO) will act as a business partner to the CEO, CFO, and other members of the leadership team to provide financial insights to support business strategy. They will oversee the accounting and financial reporting functions and ensure the accuracy and reliability of the financials including compliance with all external reporting requirements and financial regulations. The CAO will also provide leadership in maintaining an effective enterprise-wide system of internal controls to ensure the financial integrity of reported results for the business, and further enhance the company’s Enterprise Resource Planning system.

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.

The ideal candidate will be an accomplished financial executive with superior leadership skills, unquestionable integrity, positive reputation, and demonstrated success serving as a CAO, deputy CAO or corporate controller at a public company.

IDEAL EXPERIENCE

Global, public company financial management 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.

Proven ability to leverage technology to improve operating efficiencies and reduce costs

Ability to identify and analyze business issues using advanced financial tools and information technology. Proficiency in financial reporting tools. Excellent project management skills and a “continuous process improvement mentality.”

Strong business acumen

Deep understanding of business operations and strategy; ability to interpret financial data in context of broader organizational goals.

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.

Relationship development

Proven ability to interact effectively with financial industry constituencies, peer executives, and the 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 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.

CRITICAL LEADERSHIP CAPABILITIES

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.

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 person’s gender identity, gender expression, and gender-related appearance and behavior, whether or not stereotypically associated with the person’s 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 [email protected] 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.

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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.

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 [email protected].