Accounting Operations Manager

Vaco; San Diego (CA); Hybrid; USD 130,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

Vaco is seeking an Accounting Operations Manager for a growing life sciences client. The role oversees payroll, accounts payable and accounts receivable, leading a four-person team and ensuring accuracy and compliance.

You will drive process improvements, support multi-entity/state operations, and coordinate the ADP-to-Workday transition. Reporting to the Controller, this hybrid role involves four onsite days in San Diego and collaboration across finance leadership to strengthen controls as the

Qualifications

• Experience managing accounting operations teams.
• Experience in publicly traded companies.
• Strong payroll, accounts payable, and accounts receivable knowledge.
• Workday payroll implementation or migration experience.
• Multi-state payroll and multi-entity accounting experience.
• Life sciences/biotech industry experience.

Responsibilities

• Oversee day-to-day payroll, accounts payable, and accounts receivable operations.
• Manage, develop, and support a team of four direct reports.
• Ensure accurate and timely payroll processing with regulatory compliance.
• Oversee AP and AR processes with strong internal controls.
• Identify opportunities to improve financial operations and workflows.
• Support multi-entity and multi-state accounting operations.
• Assist with transition from ADP to Workday and optimize systems.

Skills

People management

Public company experience

Team leadership

Multi-state payroll

Multi-entity accounting

Life sciences industry experience

Tools

Workday

NetSuite

ADP payroll

Job description

Compensation: $130K-$140K base + bonus + equity

Location: UTC - Hybrid

Position Overview

A client of ours, a growing life sciences company, is seeking an Accounting Operations Manager to oversee its payroll, accounts payable, and accounts receivable functions. This is a backfill opportunity offering the chance to join an evolving finance organization and help strengthen processes and internal controls as the business continues to expand domestically and internationally.

The position will manage a team of four, including a Payroll Specialist, two Senior AP professionals, and a Senior AR professional. The role will report to the Controller and work closely with the broader accounting and finance leadership team.

Key Responsibilities

• Oversee day-to-day payroll, accounts payable, and accounts receivable operations.
• Manage, develop, and support a team of four direct reports.
• Ensure accurate and timely payroll processing, including compliance with applicable regulations.
• Oversee AP and AR processes, ensuring accuracy, efficiency, and appropriate internal controls.
• Identify opportunities to improve financial operations, streamline workflows, and strengthen existing processes.
• Support multi-entity and multi-state accounting operations.
• Assist with the transition from ADP to Workday and help optimize financial systems and processes.
• Partner with accounting leadership on operational improvements and ongoing business needs.

Qualifications

• Prior management experience overseeing accounting or financial operations teams.
• Previous experience within a publicly traded company.
• Strong understanding of payroll, accounts payable, and accounts receivable operations.
• Experience managing teams and improving financial processes.
• Workday experience, particularly payroll implementation or migration experience.
• Multi-state payroll and multi-entity accounting experience.
• Experience within the life sciences or biotechnology industry.

Additional Information

• Team: Reports to the Controller and oversees four direct reports.
• Systems: Workday and NetSuite; currently transitioning payroll from ADP to Workday.
• Work Environment: Four days onsite in San Diego.
• Schedule: Generally standard business hours, with increased activity around month-end close and reporting deadlines.