Senior Manager, Technical Accounting & Financial Reporting

Position Summary

We are seeking an experienced and detail-oriented Senior Manager of Technical Accounting & External Financial Reporting to join our Finance team. This role will serve as a key hands-on manager responsible for day-to-day technical accounting research, external financial reporting preparation, accounting policy drafting, and financial reporting process enhancements.

The Senior Manager, Technical Accounting & External Financial Reporting will be key in preparing evaluations and documentation for complex accounting matters, executing external financial reporting activities, and partnering closely with Finance leadership, external auditors, and cross-functional teams to ensure accurate and timely financial reporting. This individual will help translate complex accounting guidance into practical business solutions while supporting the continuous improvement of our financial infrastructure.

The ideal candidate is a collaborative accounting professional who combines strong technical accounting expertise with excellent communication skills. This individual will build strong cross-functional relationships, partner effectively across teams, and serve as a reliable resource who helps stakeholders understand accounting implications while supporting business goals.

This is a highly visible role for an accounting professional who enjoys solving complex problems, building processes, and creating scalable reporting capabilities in a dynamic biotech environment.

Who Would Love This Role?

An accounting professional who enjoys operating at the intersection of technical accounting, business strategy, and operational execution. Someone who is energized by solving complex accounting challenges, building processes from the ground up, and helping a growing biotech company establish strong financial reporting capabilities.

A natural relationship builder who enjoys partnering with scientists, business leaders, and cross-functional teams to understand the business, anticipate accounting considerations, and provide thoughtful guidance. Someone who sees Finance as a service organization and takes pride in being a trusted partner, translating complex accounting requirements into practical solutions while enabling teams across the company to focus on advancing the science.

Key Responsibilities

Technical Accounting & Accounting Policy

• Conduct rigorous technical accounting research and serve as a primary resource for guidance on complex accounting matters and transactions.
• Evaluate and document accounting conclusions in accordance with U.S. GAAP.
• Draft and maintain technical accounting memoranda, position papers, and supporting documentation for significant accounting matters and strategic initiatives.
• Analyze the accounting implications of complex transactions, including collaboration arrangements, revenue recognition, equity transactions, stock-based compensation, debt, financing arrangements, leases, and clinical contracts.
• Assist in developing, maintaining, and updating accounting policies and procedures to promote consistent application across the organization.
• Monitor emerging accounting standards, assess their impact on financial reporting and business operations, and assist in implementation plans.

External Financial Reporting

• Lead the hands-on preparation and coordination of quarterly and annual external financial reporting materials, including financial statements, footnote disclosures, supporting schedules, and related reporting packages.
• Manage the financial reporting calendar, tracking deliverables and coordinating with cross-functional partners to ensure accurate and timely filings.
• Support the preparation of external disclosure materials and financial packages for executive review.
• Build and refine operational processes and documentation to support efficient, audit-ready, and scalable financial reporting.
• Collaborate with finance leadership to enhance reporting workflows, improve transparency, and adapt to evolving business needs.

Audit & Internal Controls

• Serve as a key point of contact for external auditors, managing audit timelines, PBC requests, and auditor inquiries related to technical accounting and disclosures.
• Coordinate audit requests, prepare supporting documentation, and ensure timely resolution of audit questions.
• Support the design, implementation, and enhancement of internal controls and accounting processes.
• Identify opportunities to improve accounting operations, strengthen controls, and increase efficiency.
• Partner with Accounting and Finance team members to establish best practices and scalable processes.

Cross-Functional Partnership & Process Development

• Serve as a trusted finance partner to business leaders by providing thoughtful accounting guidance and helping teams understand the financial implications of business decisions.
• Partner closely with Legal, Business Development, Operations, Research & Development, and Finance teams to evaluate accounting considerations related to business activities.
• Act as an educator and translator, simplifying complex accounting concepts and providing practical guidance to non-finance partners.
• Support the implementation and optimization of financial reporting tools, including reporting systems and disclosure management platforms.
• Develop strong relationships across the organization and contribute to a culture of collaboration, accountability, and continuous improvement.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field, or equivalent combination of education and relevant professional experience.
• Active Certified Public Accountant (CPA) license.
• 5+ years of progressive technical accounting, external reporting, or financial reporting
• Experience working in a publicly traded company environment.
• Strong mastery of U.S. GAAP, with direct experience researching, documenting, and applying complex accounting guidance.
• Hands-on experience preparing and drafting technical accounting memos, financial statements, and footnote disclosures within a publicly traded or public-ready environment.
• Experience serving as a key liaison for external auditors during financial statement audits (e.g. Big Four) 
• Ability to research accounting issues, evaluate alternatives, document conclusions, and communicate accounting positions to finance and non-finance stakeholders.
• Outstanding written and verbal communication skills, with a proven ability to explain complex accounting matters to senior management and non-finance stakeholders.
• Strong project management skills with the ability to prioritize tasks, meet strict deadlines, and manage complex projects in a fast-paced environment.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in a clinical-stage biotech, pharmaceutical, or other life sciences organization.
• Experience with complex collaboration arrangements, revenue recognition, equity transactions, stock-based compensation, and financing transactions.
• Experience supporting financial reporting processes within a public company environment (e.g. SEC).
• Experience with Workiva, Active Disclosure, or similar financial reporting and disclosure management software.
• Experience implementing or enhancing accounting processes, controls, and reporting infrastructure.
• Familiarity with ERP systems (i.e. NetSuite)
• Experience supporting company growth, strategic transactions, or other complex business initiatives.

Pay Range
$165-$195,000