The Company
PayPal has been revolutionizing commerce globally for more than 25 years. Creating innovative experiences that make moving money, selling, and shopping simple, personalized, and secure, PayPal empowers consumers and businesses in approximately 200 markets to join and thrive in the global economy.
We operate a global, two-sided network at scale that connects hundreds of millions of merchants and consumers. We help merchants and consumers connect, transact, and complete payments, whether they are online or in person. PayPal is more than a connection to third-party payment networks. We provide proprietary payment solutions accepted by merchants that enable the completion of payments on our platform on behalf of our customers.
We offer our customers the flexibility to use their accounts to purchase and receive payments for goods and services, as well as the ability to transfer and withdraw funds. We enable consumers to exchange funds more safely with merchants using a variety of funding sources, which may include a bank account, a PayPal or Venmo account balance, PayPal and Venmo branded credit products, a credit card, a debit card, certain cryptocurrencies, or other stored value products such as gift cards, and eligible credit card rewards. Our PayPal, Venmo, and Xoom products also make it safer and simpler for friends and family to transfer funds to each other. We offer merchants an end-to-end payments solution that provides authorization and settlement capabilities, as well as instant access to funds and payouts. We also help merchants connect with their customers, process exchanges and returns, and manage risk. We enable consumers to engage in cross-border shopping and merchants to extend their global reach while reducing the complexity and friction involved in enabling cross-border trade.
Our beliefs are the foundation for how we conduct business every day. We live each day guided by our core values of Inclusion, Innovation, Collaboration, and Wellness. Together, our values ensure that we work together as one global team with our customers at the center of everything we do – and they push us to ensure we take care of ourselves, each other, and our communities.
Job Summary:
Position overview
The Senior Manager, Accounting Governance is accountable for end to end governance across key accounting operations, including Blackline and reconciliation governance, master data and chart of accounts governance, operational policies and M&A Accounting related activities, and related SOX and internal control frameworks. This role oversees the work performed by the Governance Accounting Managers and Senior Accountants and serves as the primary point of contact for internal and external auditors on operational accounting governance matters. The role combines deep technical accounting and controls expertise with strong leadership, stakeholder management, and continuous improvement of accounting processes and systems.
Job Description:
Essential Responsibilities:
- Partner with PayPal business leaders and wider PayPal finance organization on accounting and reporting matters
- Drive accounting support within finance transformation work programs and other process enhancements
- Provide accounting expertise and leadership to finance and business organizations
- Consult with business partners regularly to ensure awareness of significant transactions and potential accounting impact
Minimum Qualifications:
- 8+ years relevant experience and a Bachelor’s degree OR Any equivalent combination of education and experience.
Additional Responsibilities & Preferred Qualifications:
Key responsibilities
1. Governance and controls oversight
Own the overall governance framework for accounting operations, including policies, procedures, and control design across Blackline, GL governance, and M&A‑related processes.
Lead the design, implementation, and ongoing refinement of SOX and non‑SOX controls for record‑to‑report, including reconciliations, journal entry governance and master data changes
Partner with Internal Audit, SOX PMO, and external auditors to ensure documentation, evidence, and walkthroughs are complete, accurate, and aligned to regulatory and internal requirements.
2. Blackline and Balance Sheet Governance
Provide senior oversight of Blackline configuration, account ownership, reconciliation completeness, and quality, including governance over templates, auto‑certification, and exception handling.
Review governance reporting for reconciliations (completion status, material reconciling items, overdue items) and present key findings, trends, and remediation plans to Accounting Operations leadership.
Drive continuous improvement in reconciliation and certification practices to strengthen balance sheet integrity and reduce manual effort.
3. Master data and chart‑of‑accounts governance
Oversee GL master data governance, including approval of new GL accounts, hierarchy changes, and data steward activities in MDM/OIM for all in‑scope entities.
Sponsor and lead key workstreams for chart‑of‑accounts simplification, standardization, and alignment with S/4HANA and future‑state architecture.
Ensure robust controls and documentation exist around master data changes, FX revaluation variants, and other system‑driven accounting configurations.
4. S/4HANA and transformation support
Act as governance lead for accounting operations in SAP ECC to S/4HANA and other key finance transformations, ensuring controls are embedded in new processes, workflows, and system designs.
Partner with Finance Systems, Transformation, and upstream/downstream process owners to assess control implications of process or system changes and to implement appropriate preventive and detective controls.
5. Stakeholder management and audit liaison
Serve as the senior escalation point for governance and control issues raised by BL Governance, MDM, M&A, and other accounting operations teams.
Act as primary liaison to Internal Audit, SOX PMO, and external auditors for governance and operations controls, coordinating requests, walkthroughs, and remediation activities.
Communicate clearly and regularly with Accounting Operations and Controllership leadership on risk areas, remediation status, and control environment maturity.
6. People leadership and team development
Directly manage Governance Accounting Managers and Senior Accountants across BL, MDM, and other governance workstreams, setting priorities, objectives, and performance expectations.
Build a high‑performing team with strong controls mindset; provide coaching, succession planning, and development opportunities focused on technical accounting, controls, and systems proficiency.
Foster a culture of accountability, continuous improvement, and control discipline across accounting operations.
Qualifications
Required
Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field; professional qualification (CPA, CA, CMA or equivalent) strongly preferred.
15+ years of progressive experience in accounting/controllership, including significant experience in accounting operations, governance, and internal controls in a multinational environment.
Demonstrated expertise in SOX, internal control frameworks, and operationalization of controls across processes.
Hands‑on experience with major ERP platforms (SAP ECC / S/4HANA) and close/reconciliation tools such as Blackline.
Proven track record leading teams and managing complex, cross‑functional projects in a fast‑paced global organization.
Competencies
Control mindset and risk management – Applies strong judgment in designing, assessing, and remediating controls across end‑to‑end processes.
Leadership and influence – Leads through others, drives accountability, and influences senior stakeholders across Finance, Systems, Tax, and Operations.
Process excellence – Simplifies and standardizes processes, seeking automation and preventive controls over manual, detective activities.
Collaboration and communication – Communicates complex governance and control topics clearly to both technical and non‑technical stakeholders.
Change agility – Navigates transformation, competing priorities, and evolving requirements while maintaining a strong control environment.
Subsidiary:
PayPal
Travel Percent:
0
PayPal does not charge candidates any fees for courses, applications, resume reviews, interviews, background checks, or onboarding. When making an application directly, we will never ask you to share passwords, one-time passcodes (OTP), or verification codes. Any such request is a red flag and likely part of a scam. All communication regarding your application will come from official PayPal email domains. If you suspect fraudulent activity, please report it immediately. To learn more about how to identify and avoid recruitment fraud please visit https://careers.pypl.com/contact-us.
For the majority of employees, PayPal's balanced hybrid work model offers 3 days in the office for effective in-person collaboration and 2 days at your choice of either the PayPal office or your home workspace, ensuring that you equally have the benefits and conveniences of both locations.
Our Benefits:
At PayPal, we’re committed to building an equitable and inclusive global economy. And we can’t do this without our most important asset-you. That’s why we offer comprehensive, choice-based programs, to support all aspects of personal wellbeing—physical, emotional, and financial—delivering meaningful value where it matters most. We strive to create a flexible, balanced work culture with a holistic approach to benefits, including generous paid time off, healthcare coverage for you and your family, and resources to create financial security and support your mental health.
Who We Are:
Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion
PayPal provides equal employment opportunity (EEO) to all persons regardless of age, color, national origin, citizenship status, physical or mental disability, race, religion, creed, gender, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, genetic information, marital status, status with regard to public assistance, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law. In addition, PayPal will provide reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities. If you are unable to submit an application because of incompatible assistive technology or a disability, please contact us at [email protected].
Belonging at PayPal:
Our employees are central to advancing our mission, and we strive to create an environment where everyone can do their best work with a sense of purpose and belonging. Belonging at PayPal means creating a workplace with a sense of acceptance and security where all employees feel included and valued. We are proud to have a diverse workforce reflective of the merchants, consumers, and communities that we serve, and we continue to take tangible actions to cultivate inclusivity and belonging at PayPal.
Any general requests for consideration of your skills, please Join our Talent Community.
We know the confidence gap and imposter syndrome can get in the way of meeting spectacular candidates. Please don’t hesitate to apply.
