Anthropic· Finance· San Francisco, CA
Director, Technical Accounting – M&A and Investments
Classified Tasks (26)
Automate 0%Augment 35%Human-Only 65%
Augment (9)
AI assists, human decides
Stand up controls, valuation governance, and close-ready documentation expected of a large accelerated filer
operational
Lead accounting due diligence on prospective transactions
analytical
Own end-to-end purchase accounting, including identification of the acquirer, determination of the acquisition date, measurement of consideration transferred, and recognition and measurement of identifiable assets, liabilities, and goodwill
technical
Determine and measure contingent consideration, rollover equity, and replacement awards as part of purchase accounting
technical
Oversee classification and monitoring of the investment portfolio across consolidation, equity method, the measurement alternative, and fair value through earnings
technical
Govern observable-price-change reviews and impairment reviews for investments
analytical
Review and challenge purchase price allocations, intangible asset valuations, contingent consideration fair values, and impairment analyses prepared by third parties
technical
Author technical accounting memoranda for each transaction
technical
Hire and recruit M&A and investments accounting personnel
leadership
Human-Only (17)
Requires human judgment
Serve as the company’s principal technical accounting authority for business combinations, asset acquisitions, strategic equity investments, joint ventures, divestitures, and related financing and equity structures
technical
Own the technical accounting lifecycle for every deal from term-sheet diligence through purchase accounting, opening balance sheet, and post-close measurement-period adjustments
technical
Build the M&A and investments accounting function, playbooks, and team required to execute transactions with public-company rigor
leadership
Establish the M&A and investments accounting function largely from the ground up
operational
Partner with Corporate Development, Legal, Tax, Treasury, FP&A, and executive leadership to ensure deal economics are accurately reflected under US GAAP
communication
Provide decisive guidance on structuring alternatives, consolidation outcomes, and financial statement impact during deal formation
technical
Ensure accounting positions are defensible to external auditors, valuation specialists, and regulators
technical
Evaluate structuring alternatives and advise Corporate Development and executive leadership on GAAP, control, and earnings implications before terms are finalized
technical
Direct consolidation assessments for every investee and structured arrangement, including VIE identification, primary-beneficiary analysis, and ongoing reconsideration events
technical
Manage third-party valuation specialists and coordinate valuation engagements
operational
Defend technical accounting positions and memoranda with external auditors on M&A, investment, and consolidation matters
communication
Serve as the primary point of contact with external auditors on M&A, investment, and consolidation matters
communication
Build and lead the M&A and Investments Accounting team by defining roles, hiring staff, mentoring team members, and setting the operating cadence
leadership
Define team roles and responsibilities within the M&A and Investments Accounting function
leadership
Mentor and develop team members to build a high-performing function
leadership
Set and maintain the operating cadence for the M&A and Investments Accounting team
leadership
Remain a hands-on reviewer on the most judgmental accounting areas during transaction execution
technical
Job description
About Anthropic Anthropic’s mission is to create reliable, interpretable, and steerable AI systems. We want AI to be safe and beneficial for our users and for society as a whole. Our team is a quickly growing group of committed researchers, engineers, policy experts, and business leaders working together to build beneficial AI systems. About the role: We are seeking a Director of Technical Accounting – M&A and Investments to join our Finance team at Anthropic. In this role, you will serve as the company’s principal accounting authority for mergers, acquisitions, strategic investments, and other complex capital transactions. You will own the technical accounting lifecycle for every deal — from term-sheet diligence through purchase accounting, opening balance sheet, and post-close measurement-period adjustments — and you will build the function, playbooks, and team required to execute these transactions with public-company rigor. As Anthropic continues to scale rapidly and deploy capital into acquisitions, minority investments, joint ventures, and novel commercial structures, you will be the decisive voice on structuring alternatives, consolidation outcomes, and financial statement impact. You will partner directly with Corporate Development, Legal, Tax, Treasury, FP&A, and executive leadership to ensure that deal economics are accurately reflected under US GAAP and that positions are defensible to external auditors, valuation specialists, and future regulators. This is a builder-leader role: you will establish the M&A and investments accounting function largely from the ground up, recruit and develop a high-performing team, and stand up the controls, valuation governance, and close-ready documentation expected of a large accelerated filer. If you thrive on being in the room when deals are shaped — and then making the accounting land cleanly — we want to hear from you. Responsibilities: Serve as the company’s principal technical accounting authority for business combinations, asset acquisitions, strategic equity investments, joint ventures, divestitures, and related financing and equity structures Lead accounting due diligence on prospective transactions; evaluate structuring alternatives and advise Corporate Development and executive leadership on GAAP, control, and earnings implications before terms are finalized Own end-to-end purchase accounting: identification of the acquirer, determination of the acquisition date, measurement of consideration transferred (including contingent consideration, rollover equity, and replacement awards), recognition and measurement of identifiable assets and liabilities, and goodwill Direct the consolidation assessment for every investee and structured arrangement, including VIE identification, primary-beneficiary analysis, and ongoing reconsideration events Oversee the investment portfolio accounting model — determining and monitoring classification across consolidation, equity method, the measurement alternative, and fair value through earnings — and govern observable-price-change and impairment reviews Manage third-party valuation specialists; review and challenge purchase price allocations, intangible asset valuations, contingent consideration fair values, and impairment analyses Author and defend technical accounting memoranda for each transaction; serve as the primary point of contact with external auditors on M&A, investment, and consolidation matters Build and lead the M&A and Investments Accounting team — define roles, hire, mentor, and set the operating cadence — while remaining a hands-on reviewer on the most judgmental areas Desi