Chief Accounting Officer - Durham, NC

Fortrea•Durham, NC

4d•Onsite

About The Position

The Chief Accounting Officer is a senior Finance leader responsible for Fortrea’s global accounting, external reporting, internal controls, and compliance environment. This role leads the accounting organization, including record-to-report and payroll-related accounting processes, oversees external auditor relationships and annual audit activities, and partners closely with the CFO and cross-functional leaders to support disciplined decision-making and scalable finance transformation. The Chief Accounting Officer provides technical accounting leadership, supports strategic growth initiatives, and strengthens global accounting processes through public-company reporting expertise, enterprise leadership, and continuous improvement. He/she further serves as the designated Principal Accounting Officer for SEC financial statement certification.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, or a related discipline.
Certified Public Accountant (CPA) or equivalent professional accounting qualification required where applicable to the role and jurisdiction.
Comprehensive knowledge of US GAAP, SEC reporting, SOX, internal controls, financial statement preparation, external audit processes, public-company reporting obligations, and complex technical accounting matters.
Deep experience with revenue recognition in project-based, long-term contract environments, including ASC 606, legacy ASC 605 considerations, contract modifications, pass-through costs, reimbursables, and CRO-specific revenue accounting practices.
Experience overseeing global statutory reporting, local audits, legal entity accounting, and coordination across regional finance teams.
Experience supporting SEC filings, including Form 10-K, Form 10-Q, earnings materials, disclosure controls, and Audit Committee reporting.
Experience leading accounting activities related to M&A, divestitures, integrations, purchase accounting, and complex restructuring initiatives.
Demonstrated ability to lead global accounting teams and external contractors, manage complex reporting deadlines, advise executive stakeholders, and operate effectively in a matrixed, global environment across Finance, Legal, Tax, Treasury, Investor Relations, HR, IT, and business leadership.
Strong business judgment, executive communication, enterprise leadership, problem-solving, collaboration, change leadership, and ethical decision-making skills.
15+ years of progressive accounting, controllership, external reporting, audit, or finance leadership experience, including substantial experience in a public-company environment.
10+ years experience in senior leadership (CAO, Corporate Controller, VP Finance & Accounting, or equivalent senior finance leader).
Executive-level experience leading accounting organizations, external financial reporting, SOX/control frameworks, global close processes, and audit relationships.
Experience presenting to or supporting Audit Committee, Board, executive leadership, external auditor, and investor-facing processes.
Experience leading finance transformation, process automation, shared services, ERP or finance systems initiatives, and global operating model improvements.

Nice To Haves

Fortrea may consider relevant and equivalent experience and successful project outcomes in lieu of educational requirements.
Experience in global and regulated industries preferred; clinical research, pharmaceutical services, healthcare, technology, or similarly complex environments are advantageous.

Responsibilities

Lead Fortrea’s global accounting function, including corporate accounting, record-to-report, consolidation, close management, payroll-related accounting, technical accounting, and accounting operations.
Oversee timely and accurate monthly, quarterly, and annual close processes, driving a disciplined close calendar, clear ownership, and resolution of material accounting matters.
Lead external financial reporting processes, including SEC reporting, financial statement preparation, earnings support, and related disclosure controls in partnership with the CFO, Legal, Investor Relations, and external advisors.
Establish, maintain, and interpret accounting policies, ensuring compliance with US GAAP, SEC requirements, applicable company policies, and evolving regulatory standards.
Provide technical accounting leadership for complex transactions, including revenue recognition, business combinations, restructuring, impairments, equity, compensation, leases, debt, and other significant accounting matters.
Own the design, execution, and continuous improvement of internal control over financial reporting, including SOX compliance, control remediation, and partnership with Internal Audit and external auditors.
Lead the external auditor relationship and annual audit process, ensuring audit readiness, quality deliverables, issue resolution, and transparent escalation of key matters.
Support Audit Committee and executive leadership discussions by preparing clear, concise updates on financial reporting, technical accounting, finance policies, control status, audit progress, and critical projects.
Promote and establish a culture of accountability, ethical conduct, compliance, and strong financial governance across the global accounting organization.
Identify, assess, and escalate financial reporting, control, compliance, and audit risks with clear recommendations and executive-level judgment.
Drive accounting transformation initiatives, including process standardization, automation, shared services optimization, finance systems improvements, scalable operating model design, and stronger end-to-end accounting workflows.
Co-manage external contractor partnerships.
Identify and sponsor opportunities to improve close efficiency, data quality, reporting reliability, transparency, controls, and controllership capabilities while reducing manual effort across regions and functions.
Support potential M&A, integration, capital structure and other strategic processes.
Build, lead, and develop a high-performing global accounting team with clear roles, succession depth, technical capability, and strong engagement.
Provide enterprise-level counsel to the CFO and senior leaders on accounting implications, reporting risks, operational decisions, and regulatory considerations.
Collaborate with FP&A, Tax, Treasury, Investor Relations, Legal, HR, Procurement, and business unit leaders while representing Accounting in cross-functional governance forums, transformation programs, and strategic initiatives requiring financial reporting or control expertise.
Perform all other duties as needed or assigned.