Manager, Accounting

Job Summary:

The Manager, Accounting is a highly experienced, strong individual contributor responsible for executing and owning complex accounting operations across the organization's general ledger, financial close process, and reporting functions. This individual is expected to bring deep accounting expertise, independent judgment, and a high degree of self-direction to all responsibilities without the need for direct report oversight. This person serves as a senior accounting resource and operational backbone of the Finance team, partnering closely with the VP, Accounting & Controlling to execute tasks in all areas of the day to day accounting and the month end close to ensure the accuracy, integrity, and timeliness of all financial records in compliance with US GAAP and the organization's internal control standards. The ideal candidate is a seasoned accountant who has seen a wide variety of accounting scenarios, operates with minimal supervision, and takes full ownership of their functional areas.

Work Arrangement & Location:

Hybrid - This position follows a hybrid work schedule, requiring a minimum of two (2) days on-site per week — currently designated as Tuesday and Wednesday. Additional on-site days may be required based on business needs, team priorities, or leadership direction.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Own and execute the end-to-end monthly, quarterly, and annual financial close process — managing the general ledger, preparing and reviewing journal entries, performing account reconciliations, and ensuring the timely and accurate close of all assigned accounting areas.
• Prepare and maintain complex accounting schedules and analyses across areas including prepaid expenses, accruals, fixed assets, lease accounting (ASC 842), and clinical and research program cost tracking — applying independent technical judgment to ensure accurate financial representation.
• Support the preparation of financial statements, management reporting packages, and board-level financial materials — ensuring all outputs are accurate, complete, and presented with appropriate context and supporting detail.
• Own the organization's accounts payable and vendor payment process — reviewing and approving invoices, maintaining vendor records, ensuring proper coding and approval workflows, and driving process efficiency and compliance.
• Serve as the primary point of contact for external audit support — preparing audit schedules, responding to auditor inquiries, coordinating document requests, and proactively maintaining audit-ready workpapers throughout the year.
• Identify, recommend, and implement improvements to accounting processes, internal controls, and financial systems — bringing a continuous improvement mindset to all operational accounting activities and proactively flagging risk areas to the VP, Accounting & Controlling.
• Perform other duties and responsibilities as assigned

Qualifications:

• Education: Bachelor's degree in accounting, finance, or a related discipline required; CPA designation strongly preferred and may be required.
• Minimum of 3 years of progressive accounting experience, with demonstrated depth across general ledger, financial close, technical accounting, and external audit support.
• Strong knowledge of US GAAP and Public accounting experience (Big 4 or national firm) combined with industry experience in a life sciences, biotech, or pharmaceutical company strongly preferred.
• Proven ability to operate independently on complex accounting matters without day-to-day supervision
• Advanced proficiency in ERP systems (e.g., NetSuite, Oracle, SAP) and Microsoft Excel — including the ability to build and maintain complex accounting models, reconciliations, and close workpapers independently.
• Strong working knowledge of internal controls frameworks and SOX compliance principles — able to identify control gaps, document control procedures, and maintain audit-ready workpapers throughout the year.
• Experience with accounts payable platforms, expense management tools, and financial reporting systems; familiarity with BI tools (e.g., Tableau, Power BI) for financial reporting a plus.
• Highly self-directed individual contributor — operates with full independence and ownership of assigned accounting areas, proactively managing priorities, deadlines, and deliverables without requiring close supervision.
• Strong technical problem-solver and accounting resource — recognized by cross-functional partners as the go-to expert for accounting questions, non-routine transactions, and audit-related inquiries.
• Proactive continuous improvement mindset — consistently identifies inefficiencies, proposes solutions, and takes initiative to improve accounting processes, controls, and systems beyond the scope of day-to-day responsibilities.
• Skilled in preparing audit-ready workpapers, financial reconciliations, and supporting schedules that communicate accounting logic clearly and stand up to external scrutiny.
• Effective cross-functional communicator — builds productive working relationships with FP&A, Legal, HR, and operations teams to gather information, resolve discrepancies, and ensure accurate financial recording of business activities.