Mergers and Acquisitions Director

Connect search has partnered with an industry leader in search of a Director of M&A. The M&A Controller will play a critical role across the full deal lifecycle, including financial diligence support, transaction accounting, opening balance sheet preparation, purchase accounting, and post-close integration. This person will help ensure acquisitions are executed with strong financial discipline, accurate accounting treatment, and timely integration into the company’s financial reporting and control environment.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the accounting diligence and controllership support for acquisitions, divestitures, and other strategic transactions.
• Review and assess Quality of Earnings reports, net working capital analyses, and other financial diligence materials to identify accounting risks, deal issues, and post-close implications.
• Own purchase price accounting for acquired businesses, including:
• coordination of opening balance sheet preparation
• valuation support and review of acquired assets and liabilities
• goodwill and intangible asset analysis
• preparation of purchase accounting entries in accordance with applicable accounting standards
• Partner with internal and external valuation specialists, diligence providers, and auditors to support transaction accounting conclusions.
• Oversee the preparation and documentation of day 1 and day 2 accounting for acquired entities.
• Lead or support post-acquisition integration of accounting operations, including:
• chart of accounts alignment
• close process integration
• accounting policy harmonization
• internal controls alignment
• ERP and financial systems coordination
• Ensure acquired entities are integrated into monthly, quarterly, and annual financial reporting processes on a timely basis.
• Identify and resolve technical accounting issues arising from transactions, including revenue recognition, leases, accruals, reserves, debt, intercompany matters, and restructuring activities.
• Coordinate with FP&A, tax, treasury, legal, HR, and operational teams to support seamless integration planning and execution.
• Prepare accounting memos, transaction documentation, and audit support materials for internal and external stakeholders.
• Develop and improve M&A controllership processes, checklists, and integration playbooks.
• Support post-close monitoring of synergy capture, balance sheet clean-up items, and remediation of diligence findings where needed.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting or Finance; CPA strongly preferred.
• 8 years of progressive accounting and finance experience, including significant experience in transaction accounting or M&A-related finance roles.
• Direct, hands-on experience with purchase price accounting for acquisitions.
• Strong experience reviewing and interpreting Quality of Earnings reports and financial due diligence findings.
• Proven experience leading or heavily supporting M&A integration, especially accounting and financial reporting integration.
• Experience working with external auditors, valuation firms, and transaction advisors.
• Strong technical accounting, analytical, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to manage multiple transactions and priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Excellent communication skills with the ability to explain complex accounting matters to finance and non-finance stakeholders.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in a private equity-backed, public company, or acquisitive multi-entity environment.
• Background in both public accounting and industry is a plus.
• Experience with ERP integrations and system implementations in connection with acquisitions.