Associate Director, Accounting, Clinical and R&D

Associate Director Accounting, Clinical and R&D

Avenzo Therapeutics, Inc. ("Avenzo" or "Company") is a clinical-stage biotechnology company focused on developing next-generation oncology therapies for patients. The Company was co-founded in 2022 by Drs. Athena Countouriotis and Mohammad Hirmand (former CEO and CMO of Turning Point Therapeutics, Inc., respectively). Our team is passionate about and committed to advancing a pipeline of potential best-in-class targeted oncology programs that make a difference in the lives of people with cancer. The Company is headquartered in San Diego, California.

Reporting to the Executive Director, Controller, the Associate Director, Accounting for Clinical and Research & Development (R&D) will lead accounting activities related to clinical trials, research and development expenses, and external clinical vendors. This individual will be responsible for establishing scalable processes, ensuring financial accuracy, timely close and reporting, and maintaining SOX compliance while supporting the rapid growth of the organization. This position requires a hands-on leader who thrives in a fast-paced biotech startup environment and can operate strategically while also managing day-to-day accounting operations.

Essential Job Functions and Responsibilities:

• Lead the clinical trial accounting function, partnering with Accounting and Clinical Operations teams to ensure accurate and timely month-end close and reporting of clinical trial costs
• Develop and maintain clinical accrual methodologies using patient enrollment metrics, vendor data, and contract milestone tracking
• Lead cross-functional meetings with Clinical Operations to review contracts, purchase orders, timelines, and study activity status.
• Analyze financial data within clinical study expense trackers to ensure vendor services are recorded in the appropriate accounting period
• Review clinical trial contracts, work orders, and change orders against actual services performed to identify and communicate out-of-scope activities and financial risks to management
• Establish and enhance policies, accrual processes, methodologies, and reporting procedures related to monthly clinical trial accounting activities
• Serve as a key participant in clinical project review meetings to ensure all study activities are captured, accrued, and reported accurately and timely
• Collaborate with Clinical Operations and Contract Research Organizations (CROs) to support monthly data collection and the month-end close process
• Prepare and present quantitative and qualitative financial summaries, highlighting variances, risks, and opportunities
• Own and maintain SOX controls related to Clinical and R&D accrual processes, ensuring compliance and audit readiness
• Drive continuous process improvements to streamline clinical trial accounting operations, including accrual models, methodologies, and system implementations
• Summarize and present complex accounting and financial data to senior leadership, translating detailed analyses into clear, actionable insights that support strategic decision-making
• Mentor and develop accounting staff, fostering team growth and scalability within a rapidly evolving organization

Preferred Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting or Finance required, or a related area degree preferred (e.g., MBA) with 8+ years of progressive accounting experience in the life sciences industry or an equivalent combination of academic and industry experience: CPA preferred
• Clinical/R&D accounting experience within the biotech or pharmaceutical industry and experience supporting public company reporting requirements
• Proven leadership experience managing and scaling accounting teams in fast-paced, high-growth environments
• Extensive expertise in Clinical Trial Accounting, partnering directly with Clinical Operations teams, Contract Research Organizations (CROs), and external vendors
• In-depth knowledge of U.S. GAAP, financial reporting, and regulatory compliance requirements
• Hands-on experience with financial systems and implementations, including NetSuite, procure-to-pay (P2P) workflow platforms, and Clinical/R&D accounting systems.
• Strong background in SOX compliance, internal controls, and audit readiness.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively with internal and external stakeholders
• Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities, with a strategic mindset
• This position requires periodic/regular travel, including up to 5 percentage of work time, which may include overnight travel

Physical Demands and Work Environment:

Physical Demands:

• Constant or continuous use of a computer keyboard, monitor, and mouse to perform a variety of tasks
• Constant or frequent sitting, standing, or walking
• May lift and/or move objects of various weights

Work Environment:

• On-site requirement (Monday through Thursday)
• Noise level in the work environment is usually moderate
• Fast-paced, time sensitive environment with frequently changing priorities
• Handle multiple projects simultaneously

Reasonable accommodations may be provided to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the position.

Salary Range:

The salary range for this position is $163,000 to $184,000 per year. The final pay offered to a successful candidate will be dependent on several factors that may include, but are not limited to, the type and years of experience within the job and the industry, education, and skills and certifications.

Benefits:

Provided they meet all eligibility requirements under the applicable plan documents, employees (and their eligible dependents) will be eligible to enroll in group healthcare plans that offer medical, dental, vision, and basic life and AD&D insurance. Additional benefit programs include short-term and long-term disability insurance, flexible spending accounts, health savings accounts, and voluntary insurance programs, including voluntary life, AD&D accident, and critical illness. Employees will also be able to enroll in the Company's 401(k) plan. In addition, employees will accrue 10 hours of paid vacation time every month and accrue 1 hour of paid sick leave for every 30 hours worked. Employees also enjoy 17 paid holidays each calendar year, including a winter closure, subject to applicable Company policies. All benefits are subject to the terms and conditions of the applicable plan documents and Company policies, which may be amended from time to time.

Other Compensation:

The hired candidate will be eligible to receive an annual discretionary bonus and an equity award, subject to the terms of the applicable employment agreement, plan documents, and Company policies.

The information above is intended to provide a general description of benefits and other compensation and is not a substitute for applicable plan documents or company policies.