Controller - Technical Accounting & Policy

The application window is expected to close on: 10/08/2026 Meet the Team Exciting changes are happening within the Cisco Finance organization as we shift to become even more focused on our business partners and drive major transformational initiatives in the way we operate. As a Controller in the Technical Accounting group, you will serve as a trusted advisor on Cisco’s most complex and judgmental accounting matters. You will research, document, and communicate the accounting for significant and non-routine transactions. You will partner closely with Corporate Controllership, External Reporting, Tax, Treasury, Legal, Corporate Development, and the business to ensure transactions are appropriately accounted for and disclosed in Cisco’s SEC filings. This role provides a great opportunity for high visibility with senior Finance leadership and to influence how US GAAP is applied across Cisco. Your Impact The ideal candidate is a technically strong accountant with a national office or accounting advisory background who can translate complex guidance into clear, practical conclusions. We are looking for a proactive, collaborative self-starter with sound judgment who is comfortable owning ambiguous issues end-to-end, engaging with business partners early in the deal lifecycle, and presenting and defending positions with senior leadership and external auditors. Research, analyze, and document the accounting for complex and non-routine transactions under US GAAP Author and review technical accounting memos and position papers that clearly articulate the facts, key issues, alternatives considered, authoritative guidance, and conclusions reached Consult with business partners on proposed transactions and contract structures prior to execution to identify accounting implications and support informed decision making Monitor FASB, SEC, and other standard-setting activity; assess the impact of new accounting standards on Cisco’s financial statements, disclosures, processes, and controls, and lead implementation efforts Develop, maintain, and communicate Cisco’s global accounting policies, and serve as a resource to the worldwide Controllership organization on the interpretation and application of those policies Partner with External Reporting on 10-K and 10-Q disclosures Serve as a primary point of contact with the external auditors on technical accounting matters, including significant judgments and estimates Minimum Qualifications Bachelor’s degree in Accounting Active CPA license required 7+ years of progressive accounting experience, including experience in a Big 4 national office (accounting consultation / professional practice) or a financial accounting advisory role Deep knowledge of US GAAP and SEC reporting requirements, with a demonstrated ability to research and apply authoritative guidance to complex fact patterns Excellent analytical, interpersonal, and communication skills, including the ability to write clear, concise technical memos and explain complex matters to non-accounting audiences Preferred Qualifications Combination of public accounting and industry experience with a large, multinational SEC registrant Experience leading the adoption of new accounting standards Master’s degree in Accounting or related field Why Cisco? At Cisco, we’re revolutionizing how data and infrastructure connect and protect organizations in the AI era – and beyond. We’ve been innovating fearlessly for 40 years to create solutions that power how humans and technology work together across the physical and digital worlds. These solutions provide customers with unparalleled security, visibility, and insights across the entire digital footprint. Fueled by the depth and breadth of our technology, we experiment and create meaningful solutions. Add to that our worldwide network of doers and experts, and you’ll see that the opportunities to grow and build are limitless. We work as a team, collaborating with empathy to make really big things happen on a global scale. Because our solutions are everywhere, our impact is everywhere. We are Cisco, and our power starts with you. Message to applicants applying to work in the U.S. and/or Canada: The starting salary range posted for this position is $147,500.00 to $193,500.00 and reflects the projected salary range for new hires in this position in U.S. and/or Canada locations, not including incentive compensation*, equity, or benefits. Individual pay is determined by the candidate's hiring location, market conditions, job-related skillset, experience, qualifications, education, certifications, and/or training. The full salary range for certain locations is listed below. For locations not listed below, the recruiter can share more details about compensation for the role in your location during the hiring process. U.S. employees are offered benefits, subject to Cisco’s plan eligibility rules, which include medical, dental and vision insurance, a 401(k) plan with a Cisco matching contribution, paid parental leave, short and long-term disability coverage, and basic life insurance. Please see the Cisco careers site to discover more benefits and perks. Employees may be eligible to receive grants of Cisco restricted stock units, which vest following continued employment with Cisco for defined periods of time. U.S. employees are eligible for paid time away as described below, subject to Cisco’s policies: 10 paid holidays per full calendar year, plus 1 floating holiday for non-exempt employees 1 paid day off for employee’s birthday, paid year-end holiday shutdown, and 4 paid days off for personal wellness determined by Cisco Non-exempt employees** receive 16 days of paid vacation time per full calendar year, accrued at rate of 4.92 hours per pay period for full-time employees Exempt employees participate in Cisco’s flexible vacation time off program, which has no defined limit on how much vacation time eligible employees may use (subject to availability and some business limitations) 80 hours of sick time off provided on hire date and each January 1st thereafter, and up to 80 hours of unused sick time carried forward from one calendar year to the next Additional paid time away may be requested to deal with critical or emergency issues for family members Optional 10 paid days per full calendar year to volunteer For non-sales roles, employees are also eligible to earn annual bonuses subject to Cisco’s policies. Employees on sales plans earn performance-based incentive pay on top of their base salary, which is split between quota and non-quota components, subject to the applicable Cisco plan. For quota-based incentive pay, Cisco typically pays as follows: .75% of incentive target for each 1% of revenue attainment up to 50% of quota; 1.5% of incentive target for each 1% of attainment between 50% and 75%; 1% of incentive target for each 1% of attainment between 75% and 100%; and Once performance exceeds 100% attainment, incentive rates are at or above 1% for each 1% of attainment with no cap on incentive compensation. For non-quota-based sales performance elements such as strategic sales objectives, Cisco may pay 0% up to 125% of target. Cisco sales plans do not have a minimum threshold of performance for sales incentive compensation to be paid. The applicable full salary ranges for this position, by specific state, are listed below: New York City Metro Area: $147,500.00 - $222,500.00 Non-Metro New York state & Washington state: $131,100.00 - $198,900.00 * For quota-based sales roles on Cisco’s sales plan, the ranges provided in this posting include base pay and sales target incentive compensation combined. ** Employees in Illinois, whether exempt or non-exempt, will participate in a unique time off program to meet local requirements.