About the role
Reporting to the Director of Finance and Accounting, the Senior Manager of Accounting will be responsible for executing and monitoring the day-to-day accounting functions. The responsibilities also include a strong understanding of GAAP, general ledger accounting, accounts payable, payroll, coordinate audits, and a timely and accurate month-end close process through financial statement reporting. The Senior Manager of Accounting helps streamline accounting processes to drive faster and more efficient results, is a well-rounded problem solver with a high attention to detail who thrives in a fast-paced environment, embraces a collaborative work style, is enthusiastic about driving change and developing processes, and possesses a customer service and operations focus.

Because Quetzal operates with a lean internal team and a network of specialized external partners, this role is particularly well suited for someone who enjoys building, improving, and owning rather than simply maintaining an established accounting organization.

This is a remote position with the possibility of being hybrid, depending on location. We welcome qualified candidates across the United States with a preference for candidates located in Chicago, Illinois. Some travel to Chicago; IL will be required for remote employees.

Why Join Us

This is an opportunity to play a visible, hands-on role in shaping our accounting team and strengthening our company’s financial processes.

What you'll do
Accounting & Financial Reporting

Oversee accounting operations ensuring data integrity, completeness, and accuracy.

Own the monthly close process in NetSuite, including preparation of 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.

Accounts Payable and Payroll

Manage and process full-cycle accounts payable activities including invoice processing, vendor onboarding and maintenance, payment runs, procure-to-pay process, accruals and vendor reconciliations using NetSuite, Auxilius and Excel.

Manage vendor relationships and resolve invoice or payment issues.

Manage procure-to-pay and T&E processes, ensuring timely execution, accurate coding, policy compliance and strong customer service.

Help strengthen controls and processes surrounding purchasing, payments, and cash management.

Process and reconcile payroll semimonthly using Rippling, ensuring accuracy, timeliness and compliance with applicable federal, state, and local regulations.

Thorough understanding of payroll taxes, benefits and deductions.

Maintain payroll records, and reconcile vacation and bonus accruals, 401k contributions and matching, FSA/HSA and other employee benefits.

Collaborate with HR to resolve payroll-related issues and answer employee inquiries.

Process accurate and timely year-end reporting and reconciliations of W-2s and W-3, and assist HR with various year-end reporting including Form 5500, worker’s comp audits, etc.

Clinical-Stage Biotech Accounting

Partner with internal stakeholders and external providers to maintain accurate clinical trial and R&D expense accruals.

Prepare and calculate monthly clinical trial and R&D accruals and prepaids by working cross-functionally with individuals across the organization, vendors and Auxilius system.

Review contracts to ensure proper accounting reporting, accruals and tracking.

Audit, Tax & Growth

Support the annual audit process, including preparation of schedules, supporting documentation, walk-throughs, and responses to auditor requests.

Assist with the preparation of the company’s annual state and federal tax returns, 1099’s, Use Tax, property tax and others.

Maintain and strengthen SOX-compliant internal controls over accounting functions, including documentation, workflows/flowcharts, and testing support.

Support testing, implementation, and ongoing improvement of NetSuite workflows, bank interfaces, reporting, P2P, with a focus on driving automation and scalable solutions.

What You'll Bring

Required Qualifications

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, attention to detail, and the ability to manage multiple priorities independently.

Preferred Qualifications

Bachelor's degree in accounting, Finance, or related field preferred.

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 AP/payment platforms (e.g., BILL.com), payroll systems (e.g., Rippling), and banking/treasury operations.

Experience helping build or strengthen accounting processes and internal controls within a growing organization.

Benefits & What We Offer

Quetzal Therapeutics offers eligible employees a competitive benefits package designed to support their health, wellbeing, and work-life balance. Our benefits include:

Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage
Health and flexible spending account options
Paid time off, sick leave, and company holidays
Additional voluntary benefit options

Benefits and eligibility may vary based on employment status, location, and applicable plan terms and company policies.

Equal Opportunity Employer

Quetzal Therapeutics is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, or other characteristics protected by federal, state, or local law.

Quetzal Therapeutics

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Senior Manager of Accounting