AcelaBio - Director, Finance & Accounting

Financeroles; San Diego (CA); On-site; USD 180,000 - 280,000; Full time

Job summary

AcelaBio in San Diego, CA seeks a senior finance leader to direct finance and accounting end-to-end during growth. You will own close, reporting, budgeting, forecasting, treasury, controls and compliance, and provide timely financial insights to the executive team and Board.

The ideal candidate has 10+ years in finance, CPA preferred, NetSuite ERP expertise, GAAP proficiency, and experience with intercompany transactions and audit readiness in a biotech or regulated environment.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting or Finance.
• CPA designation preferred.
• 10+ years of progressive finance experience.
• Experience with ERP systems and internal controls.

Responsibilities

• Own month-end and year-end close processes.
• Oversee AP/AR, payroll, GL and reconciliations.
• Lead budgeting, forecasting, and long-range planning.
• Maintain internal controls and audit readiness.
• Partner with exec team on financial strategy and contracts.
• Develop and mentor the finance team.

Skills

Financial leadership

NetSuite ERP

GAAP knowledge

Excel modeling

Intercompany accounting

Regulatory/compliance

Education

Bachelor's degree in Accounting/Finance or related field

Tools

NetSuite ERP

Job description

Responsible for leading AcelaBio's finance and accounting function end to end, spanning day-to-day accounting operations, financial reporting, budgeting and forecasting, systems, internal controls, and compliance. As AcelaBio's senior financial leader, this role provides the executive team and Board with accurate, timely financial information to support decision-making, and builds the financial infrastructure needed to support the company's growth. Must ensure that financial records are accurate, up-to-date, and maintained in accordance with generally accepted accounting practices and meeting all compliance and industry best practices.

AcelaBio is executing a planned restructuring with the build out of corporate operations independence from its sister organization, Alimentiv. We are looking for experienced talent who have navigated corporate transitions, restructuring, or startup scaling. If you have thrived during carve-outs, separations, or moments when an organization reset its processes and identity, we want to hear from you. This is an opportunity to shape how a profitable, growing business operates independently—from systems and compliance to culture and strategy.

About the Role

• Financial Reporting & Accounting Operations
  • Own the monthly and annual close process, including journal entries, account reconciliations, and preparation of accurate financial statements.
  • Oversee day-to-day accounting operations, including accounts payable, accounts receivable, payroll, general ledger management, and reconciliations.
  • Ensure financial records are accurate, complete, and maintained in accordance with generally accepted best practices.
  • Deliver timely, accurate financial reporting to leadership and the Board as needed.
• Budgeting, Forecasting & Financial Planning
  • Lead the annual budget process and ongoing forecasting across service lines.
  • Monitor revenue, profitability, backlog, and cash position, and report on trends and risks to leadership.
  • Support pricing, costing, and project profitability decisions in partnership with Business Development and Leadership.
  • Manage cash flow planning and treasury activities.
• Systems, Controls & Compliance
  • Own the finance and accounting systems used for reporting, billing, and forecasting, including evaluation, deployment, and integration of new or upgraded systems.
  • Establish and maintain internal controls and accounting; preparation for future audit readiness
  • Ensure tax, audit, and regulatory compliance, acting as primary point of contact for external review of financial statements and tax matters.
  • Lead continuous process improvements for accuracy and efficiency as the organization scales.
• Strategic Planning & Business Partnership
  • Partner with the executive leadership on financial strategy, including long-range planning and decision support.
  • Provide financial input and analysis to support complex multi-year customer contracts, profitability of client project proposals, and new business initiatives.
• Team Leadership
  • Set priorities, allocate work, and support the professional development of the finance function as it grows.
  • Hire and directly manage third-party or in-house accounting staff.
  • Collaborate cross functionally across the organization, including operations, sales, marketing, HR

What we're looking for

• Strong business acumen and hand-on leader, with ability to operate across accounting, FP&A, systems, and compliance without a large supporting team.
• People management experience, including mentoring and developing a small team.
• Highly refined written and verbal communication skills; comfortable presenting to executive leadership and the Board.
• 10+ years of progressive finance and accounting experience, including full-cycle accounting and financial leadership Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field required; CPA designation preferred.
  • Direct experience with NetSuite ERP, including administration, and implementing integrations.
  • Solid working knowledge of GAAP, internal controls, and audit/tax processes.
  • Advanced spreadsheet and financial modeling skills; comfort building budgeting and forecasting tools.
  • Familiarity with Clinical research organizations, including CAP/CLIA or other regulated laboratory environments is an asset but not required.
  • Experience with international business, including intercompany transactions, consolidations; ASPE (Canada) working knowledge a plus.