Job Title: Associate Director/ Director, Accounting

Location: San Diego

Job Type: Full-Time

Position Summary

Reporting to the Executive Director, Controller, the Associate Director/ Director, Accounting will lead accounting activities related to clinical trials, research and development expenses, and external clinical vendors. This role is responsible for ensuring accurate financial reporting, timely month-end close activities, SOX compliance, and the development of scalable accounting processes that support the growth of the organization. This individual will provide leadership and partner closely across the organization and help strengthen operational effectiveness. The position requires a hands-on leader who thrives in a fast-paced biotech startup environment and can operate strategically while also managing day-to-day accounting operations.

Essential Job Functions and Responsibilities

• Lead the clinical trial accounting function, partnering with Accounting, Clinical Operations, and external vendors to ensure accurate and timely accounting, reporting, and month-end close
• Develop, implement and maintain robust clinical accrual methodologies using patient enrollment data, vendor activity reports, contract terms, and milestone tracking to ensure complete and accurate expense recognition
• Lead cross-functional meetings with Clinical Operations to review contracts, purchase orders, timelines, and study activity status
• Analyze financial data within clinical study expense trackers to ensure vendor services are recorded in the appropriate accounting period
• Review clinical trial contracts, work orders, amendments and change orders against actual services performed to identify and communicate out-of-scope activities and financial risks to management
• Establish and enhance policies, accrual processes, methodologies, and reporting procedures related to monthly clinical trial accounting activities
• Serve as a key participant in clinical project review meetings to ensure all study activities are captured, accrued, and reported accurately and timely
• Collaborate with Clinical Operations and Contract Research Organizations (CROs) to support monthly data collection and the month-end close process
• Prepare and present quantitative and qualitative financial summaries, highlighting variances, risks, and opportunities
• Own and maintain SOX controls related to Clinical and R&D accrual processes, ensuring compliance, audit readiness and adherence to internal control requirements
• Drive process improvements and system enhancements that increase efficiency, scalability and accuracy across clinical trial accounting operations and financial reporting
• Translate complex accounting and financial information into clear, actionable insights for senior leadership, to support strategic and operational decision-making
• Mentor and develop and provide leadership to accounting staff, fostering team growth and scalability within a rapidly evolving organization

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting or Finance required, or a related area degree preferred (e.g., MBA) with 8+ years of progressive accounting experience in the life sciences industry or an equivalent combination of academic and industry experience
• CPA preferred
• Clinical/R&D accounting experience within the biotech or pharmaceutical industry and experience supporting public company reporting requirements
• Proven leadership experience managing and scaling accounting teams in fast-paced, high-growth environments
• Experience in Clinical Trial Accounting, partnering directly with Clinical Operations teams, Contract Research Organizations (CROs), and external vendors
• In-depth knowledge of U.S. GAAP, financial reporting, and regulatory compliance requirements
• Hands-on experience with financial systems and implementations, including NetSuite, procure-to-pay (P2P) workflow platforms, and Clinical/R&D accounting systems.
• Strong background in SOX compliance, internal controls, and audit readiness.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively with internal and external stakeholders
• Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities, with a strategic mindset
• This position requires periodic/regular travel, including up to 5 percentage of work time, which may include overnight travel

Physical Demands and Work Environment

Physical Demands:

• Constant or continuous use of a computer keyboard, monitor, and mouse to perform a variety of tasks
• Constant or frequent sitting, standing, or walking
• May lift and/or move objects of various weights

Work Environment:

• On-site requirement (Monday through Thursday)
• Noise level in the work environment is usually moderate
• Fast-paced, time sensitive environment with frequently changing priorities
• Handle multiple projects simultaneously

Reasonable accommodations may be provided to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the position.

Salary Range

The salary range for this position for an Associate Director is $163,000 to $184,000 per year. The salary range for this position for a Director is $214,000 to $226,000 per year. The final pay offered to a successful candidate will be dependent on several factors that may include, but are not limited to, the type and years of experience within the job and the industry, education, and skills and certifications.

Benefits

Provided they meet all eligibility requirements under the applicable plan documents, employees (and their eligible dependents) will be eligible to enroll in group healthcare plans that offer medical, dental, vision, and basic life and AD&D insurance. Additional benefit programs include short-term and long-term disability insurance, flexible spending accounts, health savings accounts, and voluntary insurance programs, including voluntary life, AD&D accident, and critical illness. Employees will also be able to enroll in the Company's 401(k) plan. In addition, employees will accrue 10 hours of paid vacation time every month and accrue 1 hour of paid sick leave for every 30 hours worked. Employees also enjoy 17 paid holidays each calendar year, including a winter closure, subject to applicable Company policies. All benefits are subject to the terms and conditions of the applicable plan documents and Company policies, which may be amended from time to time.

Other Compensation

The hired candidate will be eligible to receive an annual discretionary bonus and an equity award, subject to the terms of the applicable employment agreement, plan documents, and Company policies.

The information above is intended to provide a general description of benefits and other compensation and is not a substitute for applicable plan documents or company policies.

Applications for this position are anticipated to close on September 30, 2026. For more information about this posting, please contact [email protected].