Accounting Manager Consultant

Title: Accounting Manager
Company: Life Sciences Industry
Compensation:$60-70/hr - DOE

This is a hands-on Accounting Manager role responsible for core general ledger activities, with a primary focus on monthly close execution and accounting for research and development programs across multiple stages of the development lifecycle. The role is designed for a senior accounting professional who can assume ownership of in-flight work, operate effectively within established processes and controls, and deliver accurate, timely results with minimal ramp time.

• Own accounting for research and development activities spanning early-stage research through development-phase programs, including progress-to-completion methodologies, accrual models, and program-level reporting cadences.
• Prepare, maintain, and standardize complex accounting schedules; review staff-prepared models for accuracy, scalability, and audit readiness.
• Own methodologies, controls, and supporting documentation related to vendor prepayments supporting development activities, ensuring proper recognition and reconciliation.
• Lead month-end close activities for assigned areas, including journal entry preparation, account reconciliations, and close-related analyses.
• Review research and development schedules and journal entries to ensure completeness, accuracy, and appropriate application of accounting judgment.
• Drive timely, well-controlled close cycles through proactive issue identification, disciplined execution, and effective cross-functional coordination.
• Lead accounting participation in an ongoing ERP implementation, including requirements definition, data mapping, data conversion, user acceptance testing (UAT), reporting validation, and post-go-live stabilization-ensuring system decisions preserve and enhance long-term ownership of the monthly close process.
• Execute assigned accounting workstreams and partner with cross-functional stakeholders on system design decisions impacting controls, workflows, and reporting outcomes.
• Own record-to-report fixed asset accounting, including asset additions, disposals, transfers, impairments, and depreciation.
• Maintain and reconcile the fixed asset subledger, ensuring accuracy, completeness, and alignment with general ledger balances.
• Lead completion of a company-wide fixed asset inventory by building on work already underway, including designing final audit procedures, defining documentation standards, and coordinating execution in partnership with Facilities.
• Review inventory results, investigate and resolve discrepancies, and ensure appropriate capitalization, retirement, or impairment treatment.
• Prepare and maintain fixed asset schedules, policies, and audit-ready documentation.
• Prepare variance analyses and financial reporting packages, providing insight into key drivers, risks, and process performance.
• Identify and implement opportunities for process improvement, automation, and standardization-particularly within Excel-based models-while preserving logic integrity, internal controls, and auditability.
• Operate within a parent-company-aligned internal control framework and support audit and compliance activities as needed.
• Perform additional duties and special projects as assigned, consistent with the scope and level of the role.

• Progressive experience spanning public accounting and industry roles within life sciences environments such as biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, or medical devices; large public accounting firm experience strongly preferred.
• Bachelor's degree in Accounting or Finance required; CPA certification preferred.
• Proven ability to interpret and apply authoritative accounting standards (GAAP and/or IFRS) to complex, industry?specific transactions using sound professional judgment.
• Advanced proficiency in Excel, including development, maintenance, and ownership of complex, logic?based accounting schedules and financial models.
• Direct, hands?on experience supporting or leading ERP implementations; prior experience with Workday Financial Management is highly desirable.