Sr. Director Accounting, Controller

Position Summary:
The Senior Director of Accounting, Controller is a key leader of the financial operations by leading, executing and enhancing the accounting function to enable the organization to grow aggressively and fulfill its mission. Reporting directly to the Vice President, Finance and Accounting, the Senior Director of Accounting will be responsible for providing technical accounting expertise and all aspects of financial operations, including monthly close cycles, policy development and implementation. This leadership role will develop a high performing accounting team that support the growth of our business and help us to measure and achieve our aggressive goals. The Senior Director of Accounting must be a hands-on, roll up your sleeves type of leader and should enjoy a fast-paced environment. Successful applicants will thrive in a collaborative work environment, be comfortable in both early stage and scaling companies, and will possess the financial expertise to add value by improving processes and procedures.
 

Essential Functions:

• Lead accounting operations, implementing best practices in a fast-growing environment
• Constantly improve processes and policies for accurate, complete and timely month-end close
• Lead external financial reporting including quarterly and annual SEC filings and other public documents in accordance to US GAAP and SEC requirements
• Maintain effective finance controls compliant with Sarbanes-Oxley
• Optimize key accounting processes, including order-to-cash, procure-to-pay, revenue, inventory and cost accounting, fixed assets, debt and investments, payroll, tax, and equity management
• Supervise monthly account reconciliations, controls over adjusting journal entries, preparation of accounting memos
• Manage technical accounting specialists to research accounting literature and prepare accounting and financial reporting position papers
• Monitor and maintain status and reporting of development projects
• Review and monitor contract project obligations
• Manage government (DCCA) reporting and audits
• Maintain and improve effective accounting systems
• Responsible for payroll, accounts receivable, accounts payable, and general ledger
• Partner with VP of Finance and Accounting on treasury/cash management, oversee 401(k) plan, and Audit Committee interactions
• Manage annual audits and quarterly review, along with VP of Finance and Accounting, as key liaison with external audit firm
• Manage tax returns, tax studies, as needed, and tax provisions with external tax advisors
• Monitor disbursements, receipts and cash balances on a periodic basis
• Oversee stock administration, stock-based compensation calculation, reporting, and compliance
• Assist FP&A team on analyzing and reporting actual variances to both budget and prior periods
• Collaborate closely with Legal, HR, IT, Procurement and FP&A functions, working as one team

You are:

• Enthusiastic and inspirational leader skilled at motivating and developing their team
• Independent, innovative, and creative thinker; yet detail oriented and hands on
• Committed to the values of integrity, accountability, transparency, scientific rigor and drive
• Outstanding ability to clearly articulate accounting and controls concepts, facilitating consensus and adoption of policies, processes and accounting treatments
• Effective process and project management skills
• Excellent teamwork and cross-departmental collaboration skills to drive for results
• Ability to multitask as needed in a high growth environment
• Ability to demonstrate effective leadership in ambiguous and frequently changing situations
• Current US work authorization required

 
Required Experience:

• CPA with 8+ years of corporate leadership including 5+ years in a public company
• Big 4 public accounting experience strongly preferred
• Proficient in SEC reporting and SOX requirements
• Conversant with latest US GAAP developments, particularly ASC 606
• Proven ability to leverage tier-one ERP functionalities for effective controls and efficient processes
• BS/BA in Accounting or Business related
   

Preferred Additional Skills:

• MBA or Master’s in Accounting
• Knowledge of biopharmaceutical industry
• Experience with federal government contracts and accounting methods and DCAA auditing procedures

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