Mergers and Acquisitions Director
Connect Search, LLC, dallas, tx, United States
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
- 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.