Associate Director, Accounting Operations

Financeroles; Waltham (MA); On-site; USD 170,000 - 200,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Stock awards

Premium coverage for family

Deductible coverage

401(k) immediate vesting

Paid time off

Parental leave 12 weeks

Paid family leave

Short-term disability

Wellness programs

Tuition reimbursement

Family-forming support

Job summary

Cogent Biosciences in the United States seeks a seasoned accounting leader to oversee day-to-day accounting operations, procurement, vendor management, fixed assets, and tax reporting. This role provides strategic oversight of compliance, internal controls, and audit support while driving process improvements and automation initiatives.

You will lead the accounting operations team, provide strategic direction, prepare journal entries, and collaborate with auditors to support internal and

Qualifications

• 7+ years’ experience with accounts payable and/or purchasing management and accounting, with at least 2 years in a supervisory role.
• Strong knowledge U.S. GAAP and financial reporting requirements.
• Proficiency in accounting software, NetSuite strongly preferred and Agiloft and/or Jaggaer e-procurement experience a plus.
• Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Excellent analytical, organizational, and communication skills.
• Ability to manage multiple tasks and priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Sarbanes-Oxley experience required.
• Pharma/biotech experience strongly preferred.
• Ability to be on-site in Waltham, MA required.

Responsibilities

• Own day-to-day accounting operations, including procurement, vendor management, accounts payable, fixed asset management, and supporting services and contracts
• Prepare and review journal entries, accruals and account reconciliations based on assigned accounting areas and consistent with accounting operations
• Provide leadership, direction, and oversight to the accounting operations team responsible for purchasing and PO maintenance, invoice processing, vendor maintenance, and payment execution
• Generate and present critical metrics, such as AP aging reports, Days Payable Outstanding (DPO), data input and review, stakeholder follow up, etc.
• Support FX forecasting and other cash forecasting processes
• Support business tax reporting, including sales and use tax and VAT filings and work directly with third party consultants on tax filings
• Support state registrations, filings and maintenance
• Support and oversee the build out and maintenance of compliance processes, including expense report audit and Sunshine Act reporting processes; work closely with the compliance and accounting teams to ensure we have appropriate processes and controls in place
• Own and manage credit card and expense report reporting processes, including exception processing, policy validation and trend reporting, and monitoring for HCP meals and sponsorship activity processed to credit card
• Oversee day-to-day equity operations, including maintenance of system, reporting of grants and exercises and ensuring information is provided to accounting and payroll teams timely
• Work with internal teams to ensure procure to pay processes are efficient, well-documented, and aligned with internal controls and critically evaluate existing processes and controls for changes or enhancements needed
• Review changes to access and workflows needed to support changing processes and internal controls and ensure appropriate documentation is maintained for all changes
• Develop reporting to support processes and internal controls
• Support internal and external audit efforts
• Ensure compliance with GAAP, internal policies, and all applicable regulatory requirements
• Drive continuous improvement initiations and process enhancements to systems and month-end close processes, embracing digital automation
• Lead, mentor and develop accounting operations team to drive performance and professional growth

Skills

Accounts payable management

Supervisory experience

US GAAP

NetSuite

Agiloft/Jaggaer

SOX

Biotech/pharma experience

On-site in Waltham

Tools

NetSuite

Agiloft

Jaggaer

Job description

Who We Are:

Cogent Biosciences is a publicly traded biotechnology company focused on developing novel precision therapies to treat a broad range of patients with unmet medical needs. Cogent’s lead program, bezuclastinib, is designed to selectively and potently inhibit exon 17 mutations found within the KIT receptor tyrosine kinase, including KIT D816V. KIT D816V is responsible for driving a rare and serious condition called Systemic Mastocytosis, and exon 17 mutations are also found in patients with gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GIST), a type of cancer with strong dependence on oncogenic KIT signaling. Bezuclastinib has exhibited promising initial data across all three trials: APEX in AdvSM, SUMMIT in NonAdvSM and PEAK in GIST, including an encouraging safety profile across 600+ patients in single agent and combination dosing.

The Role:

We are looking for a seasoned accounting leader to oversee day-to-day accounting operations, including accounts payable, vendor management, fixed assets, and procurement processes. This role provides strategic oversight of compliance, tax reporting, internal controls, and audit support while driving process improvements and automation initiatives.

Responsibilities:

• Own day-to-day accounting operations, including procurement, vendor management, accounts payable, fixed asset management, and supporting services and contracts
• Prepare and review journal entries, accruals and account reconciliations based on assigned accounting areas and consistent with accounting operations
• Provide leadership, direction, and oversight to the accounting operations team responsible for purchasing and PO maintenance, invoice processing, vendor maintenance, and payment execution
• Generate and present critical metrics, such as AP aging reports, Days Payable Outstanding (DPO), data input and review, stakeholder follow up, etc.
• Support FX forecasting and other cash forecasting processes
• Support business tax reporting, including sales and use tax and VAT filings and work directly with third party consultants on tax filings
• Support state registrations, filings and maintenance
• Support and oversee the build out and maintenance of compliance processes, including expense report audit and Sunshine Act reporting processes; work closely with the compliance and accounting teams to ensure we have appropriate processes and controls in place
• Own and manage credit card and expense report reporting processes, including exception processing, policy validation and trend reporting, and monitoring for HCP meals and sponsorship activity processed to credit card
• Oversee day-to-day equity operations, including maintenance of system, reporting of grants and exercises and ensuring information is provided to accounting and payroll teams timely
• Work with internal teams to ensure procure to pay processes are efficient, well-documented, and aligned with internal controls and critically evaluate existing processes and controls for changes or enhancements needed
• Review changes to access and workflows needed to support changing processes and internal controls and ensure appropriate documentation is maintained for all changes
• Develop reporting to support processes and internal controls
• Support internal and external audit efforts
• Ensure compliance with GAAP, internal policies, and all applicable regulatory requirements
• Drive continuous improvement initiations and process enhancements to systems and month-end close processes, embracing digital automation
• Lead, mentor and develop accounting operations team to drive performance and professional growth

Qualifications:

• 7+ years’ experience with accounts payable and/or purchasing management and accounting, with at least 2 years in a supervisory role
• Strong knowledge U.S. GAAP and financial reporting requirements
• Proficiency in accounting software, NetSuite strongly preferred and Agiloft and/or Jaggaer e-procurement experience a plus
• Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail
• Excellent analytical, organizational, and communication skills
• Ability to manage multiple tasks and priorities in a fast-paced environment
• Sarbanes-Oxley experience required
• Pharma/biotech experience strongly preferred
• Ability to be on-site in Waltham, MA required

Salary Range:

$170,000 - $200,000 USD

Target Bonus: 20%Exact compensation will vary based on skills, experience, and location.

Our Locations

Waltham, MA: Ourheadquarters is located in the GreaterBostonlife sciencescommunity, withan open, collaborative office environment designedto support teamwork and connection. Employeesbenefitfrom convenient on-site amenities, including freeon-site parking and gym facilities in the building.

Boulder, CO:Our Boulder location is home toCogent’sdiscovery research organization and a key scientific hub with strong leadershipbased on site. Situated in the greater Denver-Boulderbiopharmaceutical corridor, this office playsa central rolein advancing our discovery efforts andpipeline.

Our OfferToYou

• At Cogent Biosciences, we offer a competitive salary, bonus, and ongoing stock awards, alongside a benefits package that sets us apart.
• We cover 100% of medical, dental, and vision premiums for you and your family, and help reduce out-of-pocket costs by funding up to 75% of in-network deductibles.
• Our benefits also include a 401(k) match with immediate vesting, generous paid time off, 12 weeks of fully paid parental leave, paidfamily and medical leave for all employees regardless of location, and company-paid short-term disability coverage for up to 20 weeks.
• Additionalperkslikewellnessprograms, tuition reimbursement, and inclusivefamily-forming support help you thrive at work and beyond.

We are proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. Our goal is to have a diverse workforce.We do not discriminate on the basis of race, age, color, religion, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, veteran status or disability, or any other status protected under federal, state, or local law.All employment is decided on the basis of qualifications, merit, and businessneed.