Director, Technical Accounting & External Financial Reporting

Position Summary

We are seeking an experienced and detail-oriented Director of Technical Accounting & External Financial Reporting to join our Finance team and help build scalable accounting and reporting capabilities for a growing preclinical-stage biotechnology company. This role will serve as a key finance leader responsible for technical accounting, external financial reporting, accounting policies, and financial reporting processes.

The Director, Technical Accounting & External Financial Reporting will own the evaluation and documentation of complex accounting matters, lead external financial reporting activities, and partner closely with Finance leadership, external auditors, and cross-functional teams to ensure accurate and timely financial reporting. This individual will play a critical role in translating complex accounting guidance into practical business solutions while helping the organization develop strong financial infrastructure.

The ideal candidate will be a collaborative accounting leader who combines strong technical accounting expertise with excellent communication skills. This individual will build strong relationships across the organization, partner effectively with business leaders, and serve as a trusted resource who helps teams understand the financial implications of business decisions while allowing them to focus on advancing the company’s mission.

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

Who Would Love This Role?

An accounting leader 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

• Serve as the company’s technical accounting subject matter expert, providing guidance on complex accounting matters and transactions.
• Research, evaluate, and document accounting conclusions in accordance with U.S. GAAP.
• Prepare and maintain technical accounting memoranda, accounting position papers, and supporting documentation for significant accounting matters 
• Evaluate accounting implications of complex transactions, including collaboration arrangements, revenue recognition, equity transactions, stock-based compensation, debt, financing arrangements, leases, and other strategic initiatives.
• Develop, maintain, and update accounting policies and procedures that promote consistent application of accounting guidance across the organization.
• Monitor emerging accounting standards and assess their impact on financial reporting and business operations.

External Financial Reporting

• Lead preparation and review of quarterly and annual external financial reporting, including financial statements, footnote disclosures, supporting schedules, and related reporting packages
• Manage the financial reporting calendar and coordinate with cross-functional partners to ensure accurate and timely reporting.
• Support preparation of external reporting materials and financial disclosures.
• Develop processes and documentation to support efficient and scalable financial reporting.
• Partner with Finance leadership to enhance reporting processes, improve transparency, and support evolving business needs.

Audit & Internal Controls

• Serve as a key point of contact for external auditors and manage audit activities related to technical accounting, financial reporting, 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 key 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.
• Knowledge of U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (U.S. GAAP), including applying accounting guidance to complex business transactions.
• Experience preparing technical accounting analyses, accounting position papers, and financial statement disclosures.
• Experience serving as a primary contact or 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.
• Ability to prepare written analyses and communicate accounting concepts in a clear and understandable manner to senior management
• Ability to organize work, manage multiple priorities, and meet established deadlines in a changing business 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.