Senior Accountant

PhaseWell Research; Nashville (TN); On-site; USD 80,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Retirement plans

Professional development opportunities

Equity opportunity

Job summary

PhaseWell Research, a growing clinical research site organization, seeks a Senior Accountant to strengthen core accounting operations at our Nashville headquarters. You will own general ledger activities, drive month-end close, manage AP/AR, and deliver timely financial reporting under US GAAP.

You will collaborate with site leaders, prepare detailed analyses, and support ERP initiatives during integration of newly acquired entities.

Qualifications

• CPA or public accounting experience preferred; 3–5 years in accounting/finance.
• Experience supporting GAAP-compliant financial reporting in service-based industries.

Responsibilities

• Own and manage general ledger; prepare complex journal entries and reconciliations.
• Oversee month‑end close, accruals, variances, and internal controls.
• Lead AP/AR processes, invoicing, collections, and client billing compliance.
• Produce monthly/quarterly financial statements and management analysis.
• Drive ERP implementation and site integration, with training and process improvements.
• Support external audits and tax return preparation; participate in budgeting and forecasting.

Skills

GAAP knowledge

General ledger

Month‑end close

Financial reporting

Internal controls

Cross‑functional collaboration

Analytical skills

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Finance or Accounting

Master’s degree or MBA (favored)

Tools

NetSuite or Sage Intacct

ERP implementations experience

Job description

Reports to: Controller

Location: Corporate Headquarters, Nashville, TN

Opportunity Overview

PhaseWell Research ("PhaseWell") is seeking a detail-oriented and motivated Senior Accountant to support core accounting operations including general ledger maintenance, accounts payable and receivable, month‑end close activities, and financial reporting. This represents a unique opportunity to join the corporate team of a newly formed and fast-scaling clinical research site organization. This position is based at PhaseWell’s corporate headquarters in Nashville, Tennessee.

Position Summary

As an integral member of the accounting team, the Senior Accountant will collaborate closely with site leaders, embodying and supporting the PhaseWell culture and values. The Senior Accountant will report directly to the Controller and will work closely with clinical research site leaders and personnel to understand the operational aspects of accounting and finance and translate that to financial recognition under US GAAP. The Senior Accountant will also work closely with the executive leadership team, including the CFO and Chief of Staff, to help with integration of newly acquired entities. The Senior Accountant will play a key role in supporting daily and monthly accounting processes, overseeing staff accountants, ensuring accurate financial reporting, and maintaining strong internal controls. The ideal candidate is a structured thinker and has a solid understanding of GAAP and experience working in service-based industries, preferably in life sciences, CROs or healthcare. As PhaseWell continues to grow, this individual will be well‑positioned to take on increasing levels of responsibility and leadership across a range of finance and accounting paths.

Key Responsibilities

General Ledger & Month‑End Close

• Own and manage the general ledger, including preparation and review of complex journal entries
• Review monthly balance sheet reconciliations, ensuring accuracy, completeness, and timely resolution of variances prepared by staff accountants
• Drive month‑end close processes, including accruals, account reconciliations, and variance analyses, while continuously improving close timelines, including overseeing staff accountant preparation
• Prepare and review monthly financial statements and management reports, providing meaningful commentary on results

Accounts Payable and Accounts Receivable

• Vendor invoice processing, coding accuracy, and approval workflows, ensuring compliance and timeliness
• Lead the generation, review, and delivery of accurate customer invoices in accordance with contract terms
• Manage tracking of billable activities (e.g., patient visits, data submission, milestones) using internal systems, with ownership over accuracy and completeness
• Maintain and enhance customer billing profiles and ensure ongoing compliance with client invoicing requirements
• Serve as the senior point of contact for resolving invoice discrepancies, partnering with project managers and clinical teams
• Ensure timely collection and validation of supporting documentation from clinical, regulatory, and project management teams for all triggered billable items
• Proactively manage A/P and A/R aging, escalating and resolving outstanding balances with a focus on minimizing exposure

Financial Analysis & Reporting

• Prepare and own monthly and quarterly financial reports, delivering insights that support strategic decision‑making
• Conduct in‑depth financial analysis across revenue streams, expenses, margins, and billing trends, presenting findings to leadership
• Lead forecast preparation and own significant portions of annual budgeting and quarterly reforecasting processes
• Partner closely with the Controller on cash management, forecasting, and identifying opportunities to optimize working capital
• Collaborate with the Controller and CFO on establishing and monitoring KPIs, including revenue growth, EBITDA, cash flow, and operating margin
• Develop and maintain financial models, lead study profitability reviews, and deliver ad‑hoc analyses with minimal direction.
• Take an active leadership role in external audit coordination and tax return preparation

ERP Implementation, Site Integration, Process Improvements & Other Activities

• Lead the accounting workstream of the ERP implementation, defining requirements, owning chart of accounts design, and serving as the primary finance liaison to IT and third‑party consultants
• Drive end‑to‑end ERP rollout across finance functions, including process mapping, data migration validation, UAT coordination, and post‑go‑live stabilization
• Own the development and delivery of finance user training, change management communications, and go‑live readiness assessments in partnership with the project management team
• Partner with sites and the Controller to design and implement accounting processes and internal controls, with a continuous improvement mindset
• Champion automation and AI adoption across the accounting function to drive efficiency and scalability
• Lead the conversion from manual, spreadsheet‑based billing to a CTMS‑driven process, owning implementation, accuracy, timeliness, and the establishment of standardized long‑term workflows
• Drive standardization of financial processes across newly acquired locations, serving as a subject matter expert and change agent
• Take a lead role in M&A diligence and integration activities, ensuring seamless accounting and reporting consolidation
• Model and uphold honest and ethical conduct at all times, serving as a positive cultural steward and mentor for junior team members

Requirements

This is an extraordinary opportunity for an individual with at least three to five years of relevant accounting or finance experience to join an entrepreneurial environment and help establish a solid accounting function for a high‑growth company.

Qualifications Of The Successful Candidate Will Include

Key Competencies

• Entrepreneurial – an independent thinker, high aptitude, resilient, comfortable with risks and setbacks. Ability to operate in a fast‑moving, ambiguous environment while making data‑driven decisions
• Adaptability – fast learner open to change, new ideas, new technology, and shifting priorities. Comfortable shifting between tactical execution and strategic financial analysis
• Effective Collaborator and Communicator – proactively engages with cross‑functional teams to contribute to successful achievement of goals
• Relationship Builder – connect with internal team members and maintain a customer orientation towards affiliate practices and their administrative teams
• Results Orientation – sharp focus and sense of urgency demonstrated in meeting deadlines and goals while retaining a strong commitment to accuracy
• Technical Skills – mastery of relevant financial and accounting skills, with the ability to shift between strategic and tactical activities on a fluid, as‑needed basis
• Detail‑oriented – strong critical thinking skills and logical judgment

Education

• Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Business Administration, or related major
• Master’s degree or MBA viewed favorably

Experience

• CPA or public accounting, with a minimum of 3 to 5 years of total experience
• Advanced Microsoft Office capabilities, including strong Microsoft Excel expertise and ability to construct well‑organized financial analysis and models
• High Preference: Experience with NetSuite or Sage Intacct implementation preferred; candidates who have navigated a full‑cycle system transition will be given strong preference
• Prior pharmaceutical, contract research organization (CRO), or biotechnology experience
• Familiarity with clinical trial management systems and/or contract lifecycle management tools
• Prior budget development and forward‑looking financial analysis – viewed favorably
• Familiarity with NetSuite or Sage Intacct, with prior implementation or migration experience a plus
• Private Equity portfolio company experience
• Multi‑site healthcare experience
• High‑velocity M&A and integration experience

Skills

• Strong analytical and financial modeling skills
• Excellent negotiation and communication abilities
• Detail‑oriented with strong organizational skills
• Ability to work collaboratively in a cross‑functional team environment
• Strong relationship‑building skills focused on durable industry partnerships

Physical Requirements

• Primarily office‑based with fieldwork / travel tied to site visits, conferences, etc.
• In‑person 5 days a week
• Ability to travel to clinical trial sites occasionally

Compensation

Competitive salary and equity opportunity commensurate with experience, along with a comprehensive benefits package including health insurance, retirement plans, and professional development opportunities.

FLSA Status: Exempt

This position is classified as Exempt under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), meaning the employee is not entitled to overtime pay for hours worked over 40 hours per week.