Booking Holdings Appoints Caroline Sullivan as Chief Accounting Officer
Booking Holdings (NASDAQ: BKNG) has appointed Caroline Sullivan as its new Senior Vice President, Chief Accounting Officer, and Controller, effective April 29, 2026, according to an SEC filing. The travel technology company is bringing in the veteran finance executive with a compensation package totaling over $3.8 million in the first year.
The Change
Sullivan, 57, will join Booking Holdings with an annual base salary of $525,000 and a target annual bonus of 75% of base salary, representing potential cash compensation of $918,750. The company is also providing significant equity incentives, including $3 million in restricted stock units and performance share units expected to be granted in 2026 and 2027, plus a $300,000 signing bonus.
The appointment fills a critical finance leadership role at the $150 billion travel booking giant, which operates brands including Booking.com, Priceline, Kayak, OpenTable, and Agoda. As Chief Accounting Officer and Controller, Sullivan will oversee financial reporting, accounting policies, and internal controls for the company that processed over $150 billion in gross travel bookings in 2025.
Background
Sullivan brings extensive finance leadership experience from major corporations across multiple industries. Most recently, she served as Vice President of Procurement and Real Estate at Elevance Health from June 2025 to March 2026. Prior to that role, she held the position of Senior Vice President, Chief Accounting Officer and Corporate Controller at Moody's Corporation, the global risk assessment firm, from December 2018 to March 2025.
Her background also includes a stint as Global Banking Controller at Bank of America from 2017 to 2018, along with various finance positions at Morgan Stanley and Allied Irish Bank earlier in her career. Sullivan began her professional journey at Ernst & Young and maintains her Certified Public Accountant credentials, providing a strong technical foundation for her new role.
The compensation structure reflects Booking's commitment to securing top-tier finance talent. Beyond the base salary and bonus, the equity grants vest over multiple years, with the restricted stock units vesting in three equal annual installments. The performance share units will have vesting provisions consistent with those for similarly-situated executives, aligning Sullivan's interests with long-term company performance.
What It Means
Sullivan's appointment comes at a pivotal time for Booking Holdings as the travel industry continues its recovery and expansion following the pandemic years. Her diverse experience across financial services, insurance, and risk assessment firms brings valuable perspective to a company navigating complex global markets and regulatory environments.
The robust compensation package, particularly the $3 million in equity awards, signals Booking's focus on retaining key financial leadership as it manages its portfolio of travel brands. The inclusion of performance-based awards suggests the company expects Sullivan to play a crucial role in driving financial performance and maintaining the rigorous controls expected of a major public company.
The employment agreement also includes comprehensive severance provisions, including one year of base salary and target bonus in case of termination without cause, along with continued health benefits. This structure provides stability for both parties and ensures continuity in the critical accounting function.
For investors, Sullivan's appointment represents a strengthening of Booking's finance team with an executive who has managed financial reporting at scale. Her experience at Moody's, a company known for its analytical rigor, and Bank of America, one of the nation's largest financial institutions, positions her well to handle the complexities of Booking's global operations across multiple currencies, tax jurisdictions, and regulatory frameworks.
The timing of the appointment, with an April 29 start date, allows for a transition period before the company's second quarter reporting cycle begins in earnest, giving Sullivan time to familiarize herself with Booking's specific accounting practices and systems before taking full operational responsibility.
*Source: SEC Form 8-K filing dated April 2, 2026*