Director of Accounting / Assistant Controller

ABA Search; South San Francisco (CA); On-site; USD 240,000 - 250,000; Full time

Job summary

ABA Search, Inc. is seeking a Director of Accounting / Assistant Controller in South San Francisco, CA to lead the controllership function and ensure timely, accurate financial reporting.

This on‑site, hands‑on leadership role requires 10+ years of progressive accounting, CPA credentials, and deep experience with clinical trial accruals, GAAP and SOX compliance; you’ll mentor staff and partner with finance and operations.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting or Finance.
• CPA credential.
• 10+ years of progressive accounting experience.
• Extensive experience with clinical trial accruals.
• Experience with NetSuite and accounting workflows.
• Strong leadership and mentoring skills.

Responsibilities

• Manage monthly, quarterly, and annual close including journal entries and reconciliations.
• Oversee accruals, prepaids, and cash disbursements.
• Lead end-to-end clinical trial expense accrual process.
• Prepare 1099/1042 reporting and sales/use tax accruals.
• Ensure US GAAP and SOX compliance and maintain internal controls.
• Mentor accounting staff and collaborate with finance and clinical operations.
• Design automation and improve processes with NetSuite integrations.

Skills

Leadership

GAAP knowledge

SOX compliance

Education

Bachelor's degree in Accounting or Finance

CPA

Tools

NetSuite

Automation tooling

Job description

Director of Accounting / Assistant Controller South San Francisco, CA | $240,000–$250,000

Bring your technical accounting and clinical trial accrual expertise to a pioneering, research-driven biotechnology company where your work will have a direct impact on timely, accurate financial reporting and smarter accounting operations. This is a hands‑on leadership role in the core controllership function, combining oversight with detailed execution and the chance to build targeted automation. You'll report to the Controller and partner closely with finance and clinical operations in a collaborative team environment.

Why You'll Want to Join

• $240,000–$250,000 annual salary range, based on experience and qualifications
• Annual bonus eligibility
• Opportunity to join an innovative, science‑first biotech organization
• Hands‑on leadership within the core controllership function
• Opportunity to design automation and AI‑enabled process improvements
• Management and mentoring of accounting staff
• Close partnership with finance and clinical operations teams

This position is based on‑site in South San Francisco at least four days per week.

What You'll Do

As a key member of the controllership team, you'll drive accurate, timely reporting while digging into daily accounting operations, clinical trial expense tracking, and targeted technology enhancements.

• Manage and perform significant portions of the monthly, quarterly, and annual close, including journal entries, reconciliations, and management reports
• Oversee and perform accruals, prepaids, and cash disbursements
• Lead the end‑to‑end clinical trial expense accrual process, partnering with clinical operations to ensure accuracy and transparency in clinical project accounting
• Prepare 1099 and 1042 reporting and sales/use tax accruals and returns
• Ensure compliance with US GAAP, corporate accounting policies, and SOX requirements, and document and maintain effective internal controls
• Liaise with corporate technical accounting and accounting groups as needed
• Manage, mentor, and develop accounting staff in a collaborative, high‑performing team
• Analyze workflows and implement automation, such as Excel‑to‑NetSuite journal pipelines and AI tools, to improve efficiency and accuracy

What You'll Bring

Required:

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting or Finance
• CPA
• 10+ years of progressive accounting experience, including a strong background in public, corporate, or technical accounting
• Extensive, hands‑on experience managing complex clinical trial accruals within the life sciences, biotech, or pharmaceutical industry
• Proven track record of managing and developing accounting professionals
• Hands‑on proficiency with NetSuite
• Experience optimizing accounting workflows, including Excel‑to‑NetSuite journal automation or similar system integrations
• High integrity, attention to detail, strong analytical and systems thinking, and superior problem‑solving skills, with the ability to balance multiple requests without losing sight of deadlines
• Willingness to work on‑site at least four days per week

Especially Helpful

• A minor, secondary degree, or heavy coursework in Computer Science, Data Analytics, or a related field is a strong plus, as is proficiency with Coupa and Adaptive.