Senior Manager of Accounting

Quetzal Therapeutics

3d • Remote

About The Position

Reporting to the Director of Finance and Accounting, the Senior Manager of Accounting executes and monitors day-to-day accounting functions, including general ledger accounting, accounts payable, payroll, audit coordination, and timely month-end close through financial statement reporting. The role helps streamline processes to improve efficiency and accuracy, and calls for a detail-oriented problem solver who is collaborative, comfortable driving change and developing processes, and focused on customer service and operations.

Quetzal operates with a lean internal team and specialized external partners, so this role is suited to someone who enjoys building, improving, and owning accounting processes. It is remote, with the possibility of being hybrid depending on location. Qualified candidates across the United States are welcome, with a preference for candidates in Chicago, Illinois. Remote employees will be required to travel to Chicago.

The Senior Manager owns accounting operations and the monthly NetSuite close; manages accounts payable, procure-to-pay, travel and expense, and semimonthly payroll; supports clinical trial and R&D accounting; and contributes to audits, tax filings, internal controls, and scalable systems and workflows. The position offers an opportunity to help shape the accounting team and strengthen company financial processes.

Requirements

• At least 10 years of progressive accounting experience.
• Previous experience in biotechnology, pharmaceutical, life sciences, or another R&D-intensive industry.
• Strong working knowledge of U.S. GAAP and experience preparing and reviewing financial statements.
• Demonstrated experience owning or significantly contributing to month-end close and financial reporting.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail, with the ability to independently manage multiple priorities.

Nice To Haves

• Bachelor's degree in accounting, finance, or a related field.
• Experience supporting a clinical-stage organization, including clinical trial and R&D expense accruals.
• Experience with NetSuite or a comparable ERP/general ledger platform.
• Experience with accounts payable/payment platforms such as BILL.com, payroll systems such as Rippling, and banking or treasury operations.
• Experience building or strengthening accounting processes and internal controls in a growing organization.

Responsibilities

• Oversee accounting operations and ensure data integrity, completeness, and accuracy.
• Own the monthly close process in NetSuite, including journal entries, general and clinical/R&D accruals, account reconciliations, supporting schedules, and timely, accurate financial statement reporting.
• Maintain strong accounting practices and ensure financial reporting is consistent with U.S. GAAP.
• Manage full-cycle accounts payable, including invoice processing, vendor onboarding and maintenance, payment runs, procure-to-pay, accruals, and vendor reconciliations using NetSuite, Auxilius, and Excel.
• Manage vendor relationships and resolve invoice and payment issues.
• Manage procure-to-pay and travel and expense processes, ensuring timely execution, accurate coding, policy compliance, and customer service.
• Strengthen controls and processes surrounding purchasing, payments, and cash management.
• Process and reconcile semimonthly payroll using Rippling, ensuring accuracy, timeliness, and compliance with applicable federal, state, and local regulations.
• Maintain payroll records and reconcile vacation and bonus accruals, 401(k) contributions and matching, FSA/HSA, and other employee benefits.
• Collaborate with HR to resolve payroll issues and respond to employee inquiries.
• Prepare timely year-end W-2 and W-3 reporting and reconciliations, and assist HR with reporting such as Form 5500 and workers’ compensation audits.
• Partner with internal stakeholders and external providers to maintain accurate clinical trial and R&D expense accruals.
• Calculate monthly clinical trial and R&D accruals and prepaids in coordination with colleagues across the organization, vendors, and the Auxilius system.
• Review contracts for proper accounting treatment, reporting, accruals, and tracking.
• Support the annual audit, including schedules, supporting documentation, walkthroughs, and responses to auditor requests.
• Assist with annual state and federal tax returns, 1099s, use tax, property tax, and other tax matters.
• Maintain and strengthen SOX-compliant accounting controls, including documentation, workflows and flowcharts, and testing support.
• Support testing, implementation, and ongoing improvement of NetSuite workflows, bank interfaces, reporting, and procure-to-pay, with a focus on automation and scalable solutions.

Benefits

• Competitive benefits package for eligible employees.
• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage.
• Health and flexible spending account options.
• Paid time off, sick leave, and company holidays.
• Additional voluntary benefit options. Eligibility and benefits may vary by employment status, location, plan terms, and company policies.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior
• Education Level: No Education Listed