Head of Accounting

The Role:

 This new position will report to the Chief Financial Officer (CFO) and will be responsible for overseeing all accounting functions. The focus includes regulatory compliance and practices and collaborating with the CFO to develop financial strategies. This role will lead the quarterly financial reporting process including drafting and reviewing SEC documents, determine accounting and tax implications for all material business decisions, manage transaction accounting, SOX, the closing process and other financial controls, oversee GL functions and will be the point person dealing with external audit firms and all technical accounting matters.

 Responsibilities:

·       Oversees all aspects of accounting, tax and treasury functions to ensure accurate and timely financial statement preparation, including maintenance of all accounting systems and functions; reviews the monthly/quarterly financial statements and reviews/approves key account reconciliations.

·       Manages and mentors accounting team; develops build plans for the team to support growth of the organization.

·       Oversees all accounting strategies, initiatives, and activities, including implementation of new accounting standards and accounting systems.

·       Oversees external reporting requirements including GAAP financial statements, SEC filings (such as Proxy, 10-K/10-Q, and others).

·       Oversees financial statement audits and quarterly reviews; leads relationship with external auditors.

·       Builds financial infrastructure including controls, policies, and processes and leads accounting process improvements, change initiatives, streamlining processes, developing metrics, and creating efficiencies within the department.

·       Ensures maintenance of appropriate internal control environment and accounting procedures, including evaluation of SOX 404 processes and controls.

·       Ensures legal and regulatory compliance regarding all financial & tax functions. Supports and manages company's tax compliance and tax provision work, in coordination with external advisors.

·       Responsible for overseeing accounts payable, purchasing, equity administration, and payroll functions and related systems.

·       Evaluation and implementation of new accounting/financials systems and works closely with internal and external stakeholders.

·       Evaluates and oversees company's purchasing process in coordination with Legal department.

·       Manages corporate insurance program and supports company's risk management program efforts and implementation.

·       Partners with CFO on the preparation of materials for management and audit committee /board meetings.

·       Works closely with financial planning & analysis team on reporting actual performance and explaining variances from forecast and budget and input for guidance.

·       Fosters an environment of continuous improvement to identify, develop, and implement process changes and systems to increase efficiency, ensure accurate reporting, and build scalable accounting processes.
 

Competencies:

·       Adjusts easily to change, learns quickly, and understands how internal and external factors impact decisions.

·       Demonstrated ability to understand needs and align stakeholders, influence decisions and

develop roadmaps and project plans to meet business needs.

·       Ability to work productively and lead a team primarily from home in a fast-paced, results-driven, highly accountable environment where you can demonstrate initiative and make a clear impact.

·       Excellent interpersonal and communication skills with ability to build positive, effective. Relationships with both internal and external stakeholders.

Qualifications: 

·       Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting or related degree and CPA certification required; advanced degree preferred.

·       15+ years of accounting experience required.

·       Public Company AND Biotech / Pharma experience required

·       SEC reporting experience required.

·       Experience at a late-stage or commercial organization required.

·       Demonstrated experience in building and leading an Accounting function at scale is required.

·       Strong leadership skills, both direct and indirect. Ability to work well cross-functionally and influence across the organization

·       Demonstrated experience with implementing processes and controls in high growth start-up environment required.

·       Demonstrated ability to prioritize and multitask in a fluid, fast-paced environment.

·       Ability to juggle multiple priorities while maintaining strong attention to detail.

·       Knowledge of NetSuite a plus.