About this role.
Canonical, the publisher of Ubuntu, is seeking a Revenue Accountant to join its growing finance team in London or remote in EMEA. The role focuses on revenue recognition (IFRS 15/ASC 606) and preparing the company for a public IPO. Key responsibilities include month-end reporting, year-end audit support, and improving financial processes. Candidates should be qualified accountants with strong IFRS 15 experience and a passion for technology. The position offers a distributed work environment, travel opportunities, and professional development support.
Role DNA
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Cover letter sample
Dear Hiring Manager,
I am excited to apply for the Revenue Accountant position at Canonical. With a CPA qualification and deep expertise in IFRS 15/ASC 606, I have successfully managed revenue recognition and month-end close processes in multinational environments. My experience preparing companies for IPO, combined with my appreciation for Canonical's open source mission, makes me a strong fit for this role. I look forward to contributing to your finance team's success.
Sincerely,
Your Name
Sample interview questions
I have worked extensively with both standards during my time at a public accounting firm and in my current role as a revenue accountant. I have implemented revenue recognition policies for multi-element arrangements, evaluated performance obligations, and determined transaction prices. I also have experience assessing variable considerations and licensing arrangements, which are common in technology companies.
Preparing for an IPO requires meticulous documentation and compliance with accounting standards. I would review current revenue recognition policies for gaps compared to public company requirements, ensure proper controls are in place, and work closely with auditors to strengthen financial reporting. I would also update the revenue system to support the required disclosures and ensure the team is trained on any changes.
In a previous role, I automated the revenue reconciliation process using NetSuite, which reduced manual work by 60% and minimized errors. I also streamlined the month-end close schedule, allowing the team to close two days earlier. This improved accuracy and gave us more time for analysis.
I prioritize tasks based on urgency and impact, and I use a structured checklist to ensure all items are completed. I communicate early with stakeholders to gather necessary information, and I remain flexible to adjust priorities as new issues arise. In my experience, proactive planning and regular status updates are key to meeting tight deadlines.
I am passionate about open source technology and admire Canonical's leadership in this space. As a self-driven accountant, I thrive in environments that offer autonomy and flexibility. I am comfortable working with remote teams and have experience collaborating across time zones using digital tools. The opportunity to contribute to a major IPO while working remotely aligns perfectly with my career goals.
Canonical is a leading provider of open source software and operating systems to the global enterprise and technology markets. Our platform, Ubuntu, is very widely used in breakthrough enterprise initiatives such as public cloud, data science, AI, engineering innovation, and IoT. Our customers include the world’s leading public cloud and silicon providers, and industry leaders in many sectors. The company is a pioneer of global distributed collaboration, with 1200+ colleagues in 75+ countries and very few office-based roles. Teams meet two to four times yearly in person, in interesting locations around the world, to align on strategy and execution.
The company is founder-led, profitable, and growing.
The role of a Revenue Accountant at Canonical:
If you are passionate about the technology industry and want to work for a company that aligns with your interests, we might be the place for you! Canonical, and our world class Ubuntu product, attracts some of the leading talent from around the world. Come and work with exceptional people and advance your career in Finance!
Our Finance team is growing and it’s a really exciting time to join the team. We are looking for bright, motivated people who have a passion for making a difference. You will be seeking an opportunity to drive process improvements and change, input your ideas and truly contribute to a highly productive team.
We are looking for an exceptional Accountant with IFRS 15 experience to help us ready the business for public market scrutiny through our planned IPO. The right candidate will have domain expertise and a passion for IFRS 15 or ASC 606.
Location: This role may be office based in London, or Remote in EMEA Time Zones.
What your day will look like
- Assist in the month end reporting process to deliver timely and accurate information
- Have full responsibility for a part of the revenue recognition process relevant to your strengths
- Assist with the year end audit process and statutory reporting
- Support the finance team’s wider plans to prepare for an IPO
- Improve the efficiency of financial processes and procedures and monitor compliance
- Share knowledge between team members to ensure cover is available when needed
- Actively develop your own skills to ensure current knowledge of applicable standards and regulations
- Establish strong relationships with key colleagues outside the wider finance team
What we are looking for in you
- Exceptional academic track record and subsequent career performance
- Bachelor’s degree in Accounting or equivalent
- Qualified accountant (ACCA, ACA, ACMA, CPA, etc.)
- IFRS 15/ASC 606 revenue recognition experience
- Experience at a large public accounting firm, or public multinational corporate accounting department preferred
- NetSuite or similar systems experience a plus
- Willingness to travel up to four times per year
What we offer colleagues
We consider geographical location, experience, and performance in shaping compensation worldwide. We revisit compensation annually (and more often for graduates and associates) to ensure we recognize outstanding performance. In addition to base pay, we offer a performance-driven annual bonus or commission. We provide all team members with additional benefits which reflect our values and ideals. We balance our programs to meet local needs and ensure fairness globally.
- Distributed work environment with twice-yearly team sprints in person
- Personal learning and development budget of USD 2,000 per year
- Annual compensation review
- Recognition rewards
- Annual holiday leave
- Maternity and paternity leave
- Team Member Assistance Program & Wellness Platform
- Opportunity to travel to new locations to meet colleagues
- Priority Pass and travel upgrades for long-haul company events
About Canonical
Canonical is a pioneering tech firm at the forefront of the global move to open source. As the company that publishes Ubuntu, one of the most important open-source projects and the platform for AI, IoT, and the cloud, we are changing the world of software. We recruit on a global basis and set a very high standard for people joining the company. We expect excellence; in order to succeed, we need to be the best at what we do. Most colleagues at Canonical have worked from home since our inception in 2004. Working here is a step into the future and will challenge you to think differently, work smarter, learn new skills, and raise your game.
Canonical is an equal opportunity employer
We are proud to foster a workplace free from discrimination. Diversity of experience, perspectives, and background create a better work environment and better products. Whatever your identity, we will give your application fair consideration.
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