Senior Manager, Accounting

Alnylam Pharmaceuticals; Cambridge; Hybrid; GBP 80,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading company in innovative medicines is seeking a highly skilled Accounting Senior Manager to oversee core accounting functions and lead a team in a hybrid role based in Cambridge. The ideal candidate will have deep expertise in U.S. GAAP and SOX, along with strong leadership and communication skills. This position plays a critical role in shaping the accounting function to support the company's growth and financial excellence.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 6 years of relevant experience in public accounting and/or private industry required.
• CPA license required.
• Deep knowledge of U.S. GAAP and SOX compliance required.

Responsibilities

• Supervise and develop a high-performing team of 3 full-time employees.
• Oversee the monthly, quarterly, and annual close processes for $1B+ of operating expenses.
• Collaborate with FP&A, tax, and treasury to ensure actuals align with forecasts.

Skills

Analytical Skills

Organizational Skills

Communication Skills

Problem-Solving Skills

Education

Bachelor's degree in accounting

Master's degree

Tools

SAP

Microsoft Office

Job description

This role is considered Hybrid.

Overview

We are seeking a highly skilled and strategic Accounting Senior Manager to supervise and scale Alnylam's core accounting functions, including monthly close, audits, systems, and application of accounting policies. This role requires deep technical expertise in U.S. GAAP and Sarbanes-Oxley (SOX), and the ability to collaborate cross-functionally and solve complex problems across diverse subject areas.

Reporting to the Assistant Controller, this hands-on role will collaborate closely with the Global Corporate Controller, Chief Accounting Officer, cross-functional teams, and key external partners. You will play a critical role in shaping a world-class accounting function that supports the company's continued growth and financial excellence.

The successful candidate will be results-driven, detail-oriented, and an exceptional communicator with strong interpersonal and leadership skills and dedication to continuous improvement. You will demonstrate adaptability in managing diverse teams and thrive in a fast-paced, dynamic environment.

This position is hybrid and will be primarily located in Cambridge, MA.

Key Responsibilities

1. Supervise and develop a high-performing team of 3 full-time employees (1 direct report) and contractors based in Cambridge, MA, as well as assist with expanding the team in the near future.
2. Oversee the monthly, quarterly, and annual close processes for $1B+ of operating expenses, including expense allocations, and non-operating items in accordance with U.S. GAAP; identify opportunities for improvement to scale for growth.
3. Oversee foreign currency matters, including revaluation and translation adjustments.
4. Oversee accounting for a $1B+ portfolio of debt securities.
5. Collaborate with the Facilities and Capital Projects teams and oversee accounting for fixed assets and leases.
6. Collaborate with FP&A, tax, and treasury to ensure actuals align with forecasts; reconcile U.S. GAAP versus management reporting variances.
7. Support the external reporting process, coordinating with the SEC reporting team to ensure that key inputs are provided timely.
8. Serve as the primary liaison with external and internal auditors to ensure smooth and efficient audit processes.
9. Ensure internal controls over financial reporting operate effectively in accordance with SOX requirements.
10. Identify and implement opportunities to automate and streamline manual processes.
11. Collaborate with the technical accounting team on complex accounting transactions.
12. Collaborate with ex-US accounting team as applicable to provide cross-functional support and seek opportunities to standardize processes globally.
13. Implement the best financial and accounting practices for all locations, and benchmark external and internal operations.
14. Provide accounting insight and support to executive management, including recommendations on unusual or complex transactions.
15. Drive staff development and succession planning through mentorship, training, and knowledge transfer.
16. Lead and support ad hoc projects and analyses, as assigned by senior leadership.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in accounting required and/or Master's degree preferred.
• Minimum of 6 years of relevant experience in public accounting and/or private industry is required.
• CPA license required.
• Deep knowledge of U.S. GAAP and SOX compliance required.
• Global clinical and commercial biotech experience preferred.
• SAP experience strongly preferred.

Competencies

• Strong analytical and organizational skills
• Detail-oriented with both the ambition and willingness to dive into the details
• Ability to work with cross-functional teams
• Self-motivated, proactive and able to quickly adapt to change
• Comfortable working both independently and in a team environment
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications, particularly Excel
• Able to handle multiple assignments and manage competing priorities with tight deadlines
• High degree of professionalism
• Ability to work sensitively with confidential material
• Strong interpersonal (verbal and written) communication skills
• Ability to communicate with various levels of management
• Decision-making, problem-solving, and analytical skills

About Alnylam: Alnylam Pharmaceuticals (Nasdaq: ALNY) has led the translation of RNA interference (RNAi) into a whole new class of innovative medicines with the potential to transform the lives of people afflicted with rare and more prevalent diseases. Based on Nobel Prize-winning science, RNAi therapeutics represent a powerful, clinically validated approach to treating diseases at their genetic source by "interfering" with mRNA that cause or contribute to disease. Since our founding in 2002, Alnylam has led the RNAi Revolution and continues to turn scientific possibility into reality.

Our culture: Our people-first culture is guided by our core values: fiercely innovative, open culture, purposeful urgency, passion for excellence, and commitment to people, and these values influence how we work and the business decisions we make. Thanks to feedback from our employees over the years, we've been fortunate to be named a top employer around the world. Alnylam is extremely proud to have been recognized as the #1 Large Employer by Boston Globe Top Places to Work in 2023 for the third consecutive year, one of Science Magazine's Top Biopharma Employers, one of America's Most Responsible Companies for 2024 by Newsweek, a Fast Company Best Workplace for Innovators, and a Great Place to Work in Canada, France, Italy, Spain, Switzerland, and UK - among others.

At Alnylam, we commit to an inclusive recruitment process and equal employment opportunity. We are dedicated to building an environment where employees can feel that they belong, can bring their authentic selves to work, and achieve to their full potential. By empowering employees to embrace their unique differences at work, our business grows stronger with advanced and original thinking, allowing us to bring groundbreaking medicines to patients. Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to their race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, ethnicity, marital status, protected veteran status, disability, or any other characteristics prohibited by law.