Overview

The Assurance and M&A Accounting team, part of the Technical Accounting pillar within Microsoft's Corporate Accounting organization, serves as the company's central accounting governance, assurance, and merger and acquisition accounting function. The team advises on complex accounting matters, governs accounting policies, and leads assurance reviews and accounting execution for acquisitions, divestitures, and organizational changes. By combining technical accounting expertise with strategic business insight, the team helps ensure Microsoft's financial reporting remains accurate, transparent, and trusted.

We are seeking a Senior Accounting Manager, Mergers & Acquisitions, to help drive accounting excellence across Microsoft's acquisitions, divestitures, and other strategic initiatives. This role combines solid technical accounting judgment with a controllership mindset, ensuring complex transactions are executed with rigor, operational discipline, and a focus on high-quality financial reporting. You will lead cross-functional accounting projects from assessment through execution, partnering with finance, legal, corporate development, business leaders, and external advisors to deliver scalable and compliant outcomes. Responsibilities will include evaluating accounting implications of transactions, overseeing financial reporting and governance activities, supporting assurance initiatives, and driving continuous improvements to processes, controls, and policy frameworks.

This role is well suited for someone who enjoys bringing structure to complexity, leading through influence, and solving ambiguous challenges that sit at the intersection of accounting, operations, and business strategy. Ideally, you are equally comfortable exercising sound accounting judgment, managing critical stakeholder relationships, and building sustainable solutions that strengthen the overall controllership environment. This is a high-impact opportunity to shape how Microsoft navigates significant business events, while advancing accounting excellence, operational effectiveness, and long-term scalability.

At Microsoft, our mission—to empower every person and every organization on the planet to achieve more—guides how we partner with customers to deliver trusted, impactful solutions. With a growth mindset culture, we innovate responsibly and measure success by shared progress—people, teams, and customers. Join us to do meaningful work that changes the world and helps shape what’s next for everyone.

Responsibilities

• Lead accounting activities related to acquisitions and divestitures, including transaction assessment, integration support, financial reporting, and post-close execution.
• Support the design, implementation, and ongoing operation of the SOX (Sarbanes-Oxley Act) compliance program for acquisitions and divestitures accounting, including risk assessment, control design, documentation, testing coordination, and continuous improvement of the control environment.
• Partners across Finance, Legal, Corporate Development, Controllership, and business teams to deliver high-quality accounting outcomes, while balancing compliance, operational effectiveness, and business objectives.
• Apply sound technical accounting judgment to evaluate complex and non-routine transactions, provide practical guidance, and drive alignment on accounting conclusions.
• Drive accounting governance and assurance efforts by establishing clear processes, documentation standards, and controls that promote consistency, transparency, and execution excellence.
• Support the development, maintenance, and implementation of accounting policies and reporting guidance to ensure alignment with U.S. GAAP (Generally Accepted Accounting Principles) and corporate accounting standards.
• Lead and support high-impact accounting and financial reporting initiatives, including impairment assessments, integration activities, and other centralized corporate accounting projects.
• Identify opportunities to simplify, standardize, and automate accounting processes to improve scalability, efficiency, and overall controllership.
• Build solid relationships across stakeholder groups and serve as a trusted partner in navigating complex accounting, reporting, and operational challenges.
• Contribute to a culture of accountability, continuous improvement, and operational excellence through thoughtful leadership, collaboration, and problem solving.
• Embody our culture and values 

Qualifications

Required/Minimum Qualifications

• Master's Degree in Business, Accounting /Finance, or related field AND 3+ years accounting or finance experience OR Bachelor's Degree in Business, Accounting /Finance, or related field AND 4+ years accounting or finance experience OR equivalent experience.

Additional or Preferred Qualifications

• Master's Degree in Business, Accounting /Finance, or related field AND 6+ years accounting or finance experience OR Bachelor's Degree in Business, Accounting /Finance, or related field AND 8+ years accounting or finance experience OR equivalent experience.
• Professional accounting certification such as CPA or equivalent.
• Deep knowledge of U.S. GAAP and SEC (Securities and Exchange Commission) reporting and internal controls.
• Track record of leading cross-functional projects that balance compliance with efficiency and business impact.
• Proven analytical, communication, and project management skills.
• Drives projects strategically (big-picture thinking, influence direction) and operationally (hands-on execution).
• Thrives in ambiguity and is a self-starter. 

#Finance

Accounting IC4 - The typical base pay range for this role across the U.S. is USD $97,600 - $188,400 per year. There is a different range applicable to specific work locations, within the San Francisco Bay area and New York City metropolitan area, and the base pay range for this role in those locations is USD $125,000 - $206,400 per year.

Certain roles may be eligible for benefits and other compensation. Find additional benefits and pay information here:
https://careers.microsoft.com/us/en/us-corporate-pay

This position will be open for a minimum of 5 days, with applications accepted on an ongoing basis until the position is filled.

Microsoft is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, ancestry, citizenship, color, family or medical care leave, gender identity or expression, genetic information, immigration status, marital status, medical condition, national origin, physical or mental disability, political affiliation, protected veteran or military status, race, ethnicity, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, or any other characteristic protected by applicable local laws, regulations and ordinances. If you need assistance with religious accommodations and/or a reasonable accommodation due to a disability during the application process, read more about requesting accommodations.