Associate Director / Director, Accounting & Technical Accounting

Associate Director / Director, Accounting & Technical Accounting

More than one million people in the United States today are fighting blood cancer. While a traditional allogeneic stem cell transplant has been the best hope for many, the transplant itself can prove fatal or lead to serious conditions, such as graft vs. host disease. Orca Bio is a late-stage biotechnology company redefining the transplant process by developing next-generation cell therapies with the goal of providing significantly better survival rates with dramatically fewer risks. With our purified, high-precision investigational cell therapies we hope to not only replace patients' blood and immune systems with healthy ones, but also restore their lives.
The Associate Director / Director, Accounting & Technical Accounting will play a critical leadership role within the controllership function at Orca Bio. This individual will oversee key accounting and reporting activities, including financial reporting, general ledger accounting, internal controls, and technical accounting matters. The ideal candidate thrives in a fast-paced, high-growth biotech environment and brings a hands-on, roll-up-your-sleeves mindset. This role requires strong technical expertise, sound judgment, and the ability to identify and resolve issues proactively while effectively communicating with cross-functional stakeholders. A deep commitment to Orca Bios mission and values is essential.

Essential Duties & Key Responsibilities

• Partner with the Controller to support the financial close process, including review of journal entries and account reconciliations.
• Lead trial balance reviews, analyze variances, and ensure timely resolution of discrepancies.
• Support and coordinate the annual external audit process and related audit requests.
• Maintain and enhance the chart of accounts and ensure systems and controls support the integrity of financial data and processes.
• Lead clinical trial accounting activities, including developing and maintaining study-level accounting models, accrual methodologies, and cost tracking processes to ensure accurate and timely recognition of clinical research expenses.
• Assist in annual testing of process- and company-level internal controls, as assigned.
• Ensure general ledger accounting complies with U.S. GAAP and provide guidance on emerging technical accounting issues and new accounting standards.
• Oversee equity (stock) administration in coordination with the Companys third-party service provider, including ensuring accuracy of stock transactions, proper accounting treatment, and alignment with financial reporting requirements.
• Manage investor reporting in accordance with reporting obligations, ensuring accuracy, timeliness, and consistency with internal financial reporting and external requirements.
• Collaborate closely with the accounting team to maintain best-in-class performance and continuous improvement.

• Partner effectively with cross-functional teams and executive leadership to support operational and strategic initiatives.

Required & Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelors degree in accounting, Business, Economics, or a related field required; CPA license strongly preferred.
• 10+ years of accounting experience with 5+ years managing financial reporting at a publicly traded or private company. Biotech or life science industry experience is strongly preferred.
• A proven leader with strong technical capabilities with deep expertise in GAAP and SEC reporting; demonstrated experience in the preparation of relevant SEC/external filings.
• Experience managing accounting close process and performing related analyses.
• Proven experience developing sound financial analyses, explanations and recommendations.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills and experience developing and making presentations to C-level executives.
• Proven self-starter with experience improving finance functions; ability to work well in a team environment and across organizational disciplines.
• Understanding SOX/404 compliance requirements.

The anticipated annual salary range for this job is based on prior experience in the role/industry, education, location, internal equity, and other job-related factors as permitted by law. For remote-based positions, this range may vary based on your local market. You will also be eligible to receive pre-IPO equity, in addition to competitive medical, dental, and vision benefits, PTO, 401(k) plan, life and accidental death and disability coverage, and parental leave benefits. Other perks include subsidized daily lunches and snacks at our on-site locations.
Who we are
We are driven by a passion for science and compassion for patients. We act with urgency to ensure our treatments are one day accessible to all who need them.
We live by our core values of passion, courage, and integrity. Excellence in our work means the chance to unlock a better quality of life for our patients, and with that comes tremendous responsibility.
We innovate on a path that hasnt been paved. We embrace an entrepreneurial spirit and take calculated risks to achieve our mission. We arent afraid to ask why not and challenge the status quo.
We maintain a start-up culture of camaraderie and leadership by example, regardless of title.
Were proud to be an equal opportunity employer, and recognize that celebrating our differences creates stronger, lasting solutions that better serve our team, our patients and their healthcare providers.
Notice to staffing firms
Orca Bio does not accept resumes from staffing agencies with which we do not have a written agreement and specific engagement for a particular opening. Our employment activities, inquiries and offers are managed through our HR/Talent team, and all candidates are presented through this channel only. We do not accept unsolicited resumes, and we rarely outsource recruitment.

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