Director Financial Reporting & Technical Accounting

What We’re Looking For:

At 2U, we are all in on purpose. We are motivated by our mission – to make learning limitless– and connected by our shared passion to deliver world-class higher education  the parent company of edX, a leading online learning platform, 2U powers thousands of higher education offerings – from free courses to full degrees. Together with our college, university, and corporate partners, we are helping accelerate careers and transform lives.

The Director of Financial Reporting & Technical Accounting will lead the preparation of financial statements, support the Company’s complex accounting areas, and manage all aspects of stock-based compensation administration. This role serves as a subject-matter expert on U.S. GAAP, complex transactions, and equity accounting, ensuring accuracy, compliance, and timely reporting. The Director will work cross-functionally with Finance, Legal, HR, and external advisors to support strategic initiatives, ongoing reporting, and compliance in a dynamic private company environment.

• Financial Reporting & Technical Accounting
  • Lead the preparation and review of monthly, quarterly, and annual financial statements, including balance sheet, income statement, cash flow, statement of stockholders’ equity, and accompanying disclosures.
  • Ensure accuracy, completeness, and timeliness of consolidated financial results in accordance with U.S. GAAP.
  • Coordinate closely with Finance to align financial reporting with internal management reporting and Board deliverables.
  • Support the preparation of debt compliance reporting, including covenant calculations, lender deliverables, and certifications in coordination with Treasury and Legal.
  • Serve as a key liaison with external auditors to support the Company’s accounting positions and annual audits, ensuring audit readiness and timely resolution of technical matters.
  • Monitor new FASB pronouncements for applicability.
  • Take a leading role in the implementation of major new accounting standards.
  • Assist and contribute to the development of existing accounting policies, procedures and methodologies, with a focus on process improvement.
  • Clearly articulate and educate team members in finance and other departments with respect to the impact of adopted accounting policies, new standards and other technical matters.
  • Concisely and thoroughly summarize and present accounting conclusions to the accounting group and senior management.
  • Be responsible for special projects and other departmental duties as necessary.
• Equity Administration
  • Oversee all aspects of the company’s equity programs.
  • Support Legal and HR in plan design, modifications, and updates to plan documents.
  • Review valuation models for equity instruments.
  • Manage day-to-day operations related to equity grants, exercises, cancellations, and settlements in partnership with HR, Payroll, and Legal.
  • Ensure integrity of data in the equity administration platform and reconcile with the general ledger.
  • Lead stock-based compensation accounting under ASC 718, including forecasting, journal entries, and financial statement disclosures.
  • Provide analytics and reporting on equity compensation, dilution, and plan utilization for management and the Board.

• Bachelor’s degree in accounting required.
• Active CPA license required.
• Experience performing technical accounting research and applying guidance to transactions.
• Experience writing technical accounting memoranda/position papers.
• 8+ years of accounting experience required (Big 4/public accounting background preferred).
• Proven experience preparing and reviewing GAAP financial statements.
• Possess deep and broad U.S. GAAP knowledge base.
• Excellent analytical and interpersonal skills.
• Tech-savvy and experience using all MS Office applications; strong knowledge of Excel required. Experience with Workday (or similar ERP system) and Workiva preferred.

The role will be based out of our Arlington, VA office, with regular in-office presence expected five days per week.

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