Overview
This Accounting Manager role is responsible for ensuring R&D expenses are accurately accrued, analyzed, and supported for clinical trials, contract manufacturing, and other research and development operations.
You will partner with cross-functional stakeholders and external service providers to ensure timely and accurate recording of development and manufacturing costs in accordance with U.S. GAAP. The role supports the quarterly close process, SOX compliance, external audits, and continuous improvement of accounting systems and processes related to clinical trial and manufacturing accounting.
Responsibilities
- Review clinical trial agreements, CRO contracts, vendor agreements, statements of work, budgets, and amendments to assess accounting implications and develop appropriate accrual methodologies.
- Prepare and review quarterly clinical trial accruals using contract terms, enrollment and patient activity, site activity, vendor reports, milestones, percentage-of-completion estimates, and other operational data.
- Perform study-level, vendor-level, and site-level budget-to-actual analyses; investigate significant or unusual variances; and determine whether additional accruals or adjustments are necessary.
- Manage accounting activities related to CMOs, drug supply manufacturing, process development, analytical testing, packaging, labeling, and other manufacturing-related R&D expenditures.
- Review manufacturing agreements, statements of work, project budgets, purchase orders, change orders, and vendor progress estimates to determine appropriate accounting treatment and expense recognition timing.
- Prepare and review manufacturing accruals based on contractual terms, project progress, milestone completion, goods or services received, vendor invoices, and vendor-provided estimates.
- Support analyses and reconciliations related to manufacturing commitments, prepayments, inventory, and supply chain expenditures, as applicable.
- Collaborate cross-functionally with Clinical Operations, Manufacturing, Research, FP&A, and other business owners.
- Interface with external auditors to explain accounting policies, accrual methodologies, supporting analyses, and internal controls related to clinical trial and manufacturing accounting.
- Maintain working knowledge of new U.S. GAAP pronouncements and recommend changes to procedures and reporting to maintain compliance.
- Maintain SOX controls for assigned areas of responsibility.
- Identify opportunities to enhance accounting processes and systems.
- Provide support for special projects, system improvements, and ad-hoc requests as needed.
Requirements
- Strong working knowledge of U.S. GAAP, SOX controls, and the financial close and reporting process.
- Demonstrated attention to detail and ability to independently prioritize and organize work assignments.
- Proficiency in financial software and ERP systems.
- Experience with clinical trial accrual and forecasting tools.
- Highly proficient in Microsoft Office suite.
- Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively across teams.
Education
- Bachelor’s degree in Accounting.
- CPA license preferred.
- Equivalent experience may be considered.
Minimum Professional Experience
- Minimum of 5+ years of experience in accounting or finance with demonstrated ownership of accruals.
- Maintains working knowledge of new U.S. GAAP.