Director, M&A Accounting

Upwork ($UPWK) is the world’s largest work marketplace, connecting businesses with highly skilled professionals worldwide. From entrepreneurs to Fortune 100 enterprises, companies trust Upwork’s platform to access expert talent, leverage AI-powered work solutions, and drive meaningful business outcomes.

Upwork’s AI-powered platform has facilitated over $20 billion in economic opportunity for professionals worldwide. With professionals spanning 10,000+ skills, including AI and machine learning, software development, sales and marketing, customer support, finance and accounting, and more, Upwork empowers businesses of all sizes to scale, innovate, and build agile teams.

We’re looking for a strategic and hands-on Director of M&A Accounting to lead Upwork’s accounting integration efforts for mergers and acquisitions. This high-impact role will drive financial due diligence and post-acquisition integration activities to ensure compliance and operational excellence. This is an exciting opportunity to shape the future of Upwork’s financial infrastructure as we continue to expand and evolve our business through strategic acquisitions.

You’ll collaborate cross-functionally with FP&A, Corporate Development, Legal, and People teams to assess, structure, and integrate M&A transactions. In addition to M&A responsibilities, you’ll also play a key role in supporting other cross-functional strategic initiatives that contribute to broader financial and operational goals. If you're passionate about building scalable systems, aligning teams, and ensuring rigorous financial controls during periods of growth, we’d love to hear from you.

Responsibilities

• Lead the end-to-end accounting process for all M&A activity, from due diligence and deal close through integration and post-close compliance
  
  
• Drive the technical accounting assessment of transactions, including purchase price allocations, goodwill, intangibles, and other complex areas under US GAAP
  
  
• Design and implement scalable processes to integrate acquired entities into Upwork’s accounting systems, policies, and controls
  
  
• Serve as a key liaison between Corporate Development, Legal, FP&A, and external advisors to ensure alignment and timely execution of financial milestones
  
  
• Own preparation of financial statements and audit documentation for acquired entities, including acquisition footnotes and disclosures
  
  
• Monitor post-close performance and support accounting for contingent consideration, earn-outs, and valuation updates
  
  
• Champion continuous improvement in our M&A playbook to increase speed, clarity, and accuracy of future transactions

• Partner with cross-functional teams on strategic finance and operational initiatives outside of M&A, contributing accounting leadership to projects that drive business impact
  
  

What it takes to catch our eye

• Deep expertise in M&A accounting and technical guidance under US GAAP, with a track record of owning complex acquisition processes from end to end
  
  
• Experience leading accounting integration for acquired companies in a public company environment
  
  
• Skilled collaborator and communicator with the ability to drive cross-functional initiatives and build alignment in ambiguous settings
  
  
• Proven ability to build and optimize accounting processes for scale, particularly in high-growth or rapidly evolving environments
  
  
• CPA or equivalent certification and prior experience in both Big 4 M&A transaction advisor groups and public company accounting teams preferred
  
  

Come change how the world works.

At Upwork, you’ll shape the future of work for a global, remote-first workforce, creating economic opportunities for professionals worldwide. While we have a physical office in Palo Alto, we currently hire full-time employees in 21 U.S. states, making it easier than ever to join our mission from wherever you call home.

Our culture is built on trust, risk-taking, customer focus, and excellence, all in service of our core mission: to create economic opportunities so people have better lives. We embrace authenticity and inclusion, encouraging everyone to bring their whole selves to work. Personal and professional growth is a priority here, supported through development programs, mentorship, and our Upwork Belonging Communities.

We’re proud to offer benefits that go beyond the basics, including comprehensive medical coverage for you and your family, unlimited PTO, a 401(k) plan with matching, 12 weeks of paid parental leave, and an Employee Stock Purchase Plan. Visit our Life at Upwork page to learn more about our values, working principles, and the overall employee experience.

Ready to help shape the future of work? Check out our Careers page and follow us on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and X. to learn more about life at Upwork.

Upwork is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to recruiting and retaining a diverse and inclusive workforce. We do not discriminate based on race, religion, color, national origin, gender (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, status as a protected veteran, status as an individual with a disability, genetic information, or other legally protected characteristics under federal, state, or local law.

Please note that a criminal background check may be required once a conditional job offer is made. Qualified applicants with arrest or conviction records will be considered in accordance with applicable law, including the California Fair Chance Act and local Fair Chance ordinances.