Senior Manager, Clinical Trial Accounting

POSTION SUMMARY 

The Senior Manager, Clinical Trials Accounting is responsible for overseeing the accounting, financial close, and reporting activities related to clinical trial programs. This role partners closely with Clinical Operations and the CRO to ensure accurate accruals, compliance with US GAAP, and strong internal controls over clinical trial expenditures. The ideal candidate brings deep clinical accounting expertise in a biotech or pharmaceutical environment and thrives in a fast-paced, growing organization.

JOB FUNCTIONS/RESPONSIBILITIES

Clinical Trials Accounting & Financial Close

• Oversee accounting for clinical trial costs, including CROs, investigator costs, and pass-through costs
• Prepare and review monthly clinical trial accruals using patient-based, milestone-based, and activity-based methodologies
• Ensure timely and accurate close of clinical trial-related accounts as part of the monthly and quarterly close process
• Maintain detailed supporting documentation and reconciliations for clinical accruals
• Perform high quality, accurate financial and operational analysis for different categories of costs within Clinical Operations over various periods to explain fluctuations and ensure it aligns with clinical trial activity

Cross-Functional Partnership

• Partner closely with the Project Managers (PMs) in Clinical Operations and CROs to understand trial status, enrollment, milestones, and contract terms
• Lead and facilitate recurring meetings with PMs and CROs to obtain required accounting information for monthly/quarterly close
• Review clinical contracts for accounting implications
• Act as the finance point of contact for clinical teams on accounting-related matters

Compliance & Controls

• Ensure compliance with US GAAP, internal accounting policies, and SOX/internal control requirements
• Support internal and external audits by preparing audit schedules and responding to inquiries related to clinical trial costs
• Identify and implement process improvements to strengthen controls, efficiency, and scalability

Systems & Process Improvement

• Drive enhancements to accrual models, reporting, and automation as the clinical portfolio grows
• Support implementation or optimization of systems related to clinical trial accounting and tracking

QUALIFICATIONS

Education/Experience: 

• Strong US GAAP knowledge as it relates to R&D and clinical trial accounting
• Minimum 8 years of related accounting experience, including working knowledge of clinical trials accounting  in biotech or pharmaceutical companies
• Hands-on experience with clinical accruals, CRO/vendor contracts, and complex trial structures
• Advanced knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite, especially Excel
• Hands-on experience in managing general ledger related functions, including familiarity with accounting software such as NetSuite or similar (NetSuite experience a plus)
• Bachelor or master’s degree in accounting
• CPA preferred

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities: 

• A sense of ownership and pride in your performance and its impact on the company’s success
• A positive, self-confident and decisive work ethic with excellent communication skills in both oral and written formats, as well as excellent listening skills
• Self-motivated and self-managed - able to think independently and creatively
• Ability to build and scale processes with strong analytical skills
• Energy to commit to a fast-paced environment; ability to manage multiple priorities
• Must be detail oriented yet not lost in the details
• A team player and able to support other departments to achieve objectives
• Proactive, hands-on mindset with a continuous improvement orientation

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