Life Sciences Accounting Ops Lead: Payroll & AR/AP Hybrid

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

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