Senior Manager of Accounting

Overview

The organization is seeking a Senior Manager of Accounting to execute and monitor day-to-day accounting functions and support month-end close and financial reporting. This role reports to the Director of Finance and Accounting and requires strong working knowledge of U.S. GAAP, general ledger accounting, accounts payable, payroll, audit coordination, and timely, accurate financial statement reporting.

This is a remote position with the possibility of being hybrid depending on location. Qualified candidates are welcome across the United States, with a preference for candidates located in Chicago, Illinois. Some travel to Chicago, IL will be required for remote employees.

Responsibilities

Accounting & Financial Reporting

• Oversee accounting operations to ensure data integrity, completeness, and accuracy.
• Own the monthly close process in NetSuite, including preparation of journal entries, general and clinical/R&D accruals, account reconciliations, supporting schedules, and timely, accurate financial statement reporting.
• Ensure financial reporting is consistent with U.S. GAAP.

Accounts Payable and Payroll

• Manage and process full-cycle accounts payable activities, including invoice processing, vendor onboarding and maintenance, payment runs, procure-to-pay activities, accruals, and vendor reconciliations using NetSuite, Auxilius, and Excel.
• Manage vendor relationships and resolve invoice or payment issues.
• Manage procure-to-pay and T&E processes, ensuring timely execution, accurate coding, policy compliance, and strong customer service.
• Strengthen controls and processes surrounding purchasing, payments, and cash management.
• Process and reconcile payroll semimonthly using Rippling, ensuring accuracy, timeliness, and compliance with applicable federal, state, and local regulations.
• Maintain payroll records and reconcile vacation and bonus accruals, 401k contributions and matching, FSA/HSA, and other employee benefits.
• Collaborate with HR to resolve payroll-related issues and answer employee inquiries.
• Process accurate and timely year-end reporting and reconciliations of W-2s and W-3, and assist HR with year-end reporting including Form 5500 and worker’s comp audits.

Clinical-Stage Biotech Accounting

• Partner with internal stakeholders and external providers to maintain accurate clinical trial and R&D expense accruals.
• Prepare and calculate monthly clinical trial and R&D accruals and prepaids by working cross-functionally across the organization, with vendors, and within the Auxilius system.
• Review contracts to ensure proper accounting reporting, accruals, and tracking.

Audit, Tax & Growth

• Support the annual audit process, including preparation of schedules, supporting documentation, walk-throughs, and responses to auditor requests.
• Assist with preparation of annual state and federal tax returns, 1099’s, Use Tax, property tax, and others.
• Maintain and strengthen SOX-compliant internal controls over accounting functions, including documentation, workflows/flowcharts, and testing support.
• Support testing, implementation, and ongoing improvement of NetSuite workflows, bank interfaces, reporting, and P2P, with a focus on automation and scalable solutions.

Requirements

• 10+ years of progressive accounting experience.
• Previous experience in biotechnology, pharmaceutical, life sciences, or another R&D-intensive industry.
• Strong working knowledge of U.S. GAAP and experience preparing and reviewing financial statements.
• Demonstrated experience owning or significantly contributing to month-end close and financial reporting.
• Strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and ability to manage multiple priorities independently.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in accounting, finance, or related field.
• Experience supporting a clinical-stage organization, including clinical trial and R&D expense accruals.
• Experience with NetSuite or a comparable ERP/general ledger platform.
• Experience with AP/payment platforms (e.g., BILL.com), payroll systems (e.g., Rippling), and banking/treasury operations.
• Experience helping build or strengthen accounting processes and internal controls within a growing organization.

Compensation & Benefits

Eligible employees may receive a competitive benefits package supporting health, wellbeing, and work-life balance, including:

• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage
• Health and flexible spending account options
• Paid time off, sick leave, and company holidays
• Additional voluntary benefit options

Benefits and eligibility may vary based on employment status, location, and applicable plan terms and company policies.

Location

Remote position with the possibility of hybrid work depending on location.

• Candidates welcome across the United States
• Preference for candidates located in Chicago, Illinois
• Some travel to Chicago, IL will be required for remote employees