Associate Director/Director, Financial Reporting

Job Description

Job Description

Company Overview :

ADARx Pharmaceuticals, Inc., (the “Company” or “ADARx”) located in San Diego, is a clinical stage biotechnology company dedicated to transforming cutting-edge science into next-generation RNA therapeutics to treat a broad spectrum of diseases. Our goal is to control the expression of specific disease drivers with highly selective RNA targeted therapies, delivering life-changing treatments for patients with urgent unmet medical needs.

Job Description :

The Associate Director/Director, Financial Reporting will serve as a hands-on accounting leader responsible for building and leading ADARx’s external financial reporting and technical accounting functions as the Company prepares to operate in a public-company environment. Reporting to the Senior Director, Corporate Controller, this individual will lead SEC reporting, financial statement preparation, technical accounting analyses, disclosure controls, and internal controls over financial reporting. The role will partner closely with accounting, finance, legal, human resources, external auditors, outside counsel, and other business leaders. The final title will be determined based on the selected candidate’s experience and qualifications. This position is based at the Company’s office in San Diego, California.

Duties and Responsibilities: 

• Lead the preparation, review, and filing of Forms 10-Q and 10-K, the annual proxy statement, registration statements, and other SEC filings in accordance with U.S. GAAP and SEC requirements.
• Lead the drafting and review of financial statements, footnote disclosures, MD&A, and other financial sections of SEC filings; manage the reporting calendar and review process; and ensure filings are accurate, complete, internally consistent, and submitted on schedule.
• Coordinate with the accounting team to ensure the close process, account analyses, and supporting schedules provide complete and accurate support for internal and external financial reporting.
• Review key general ledger accounts, journal entries, account reconciliations, and supporting schedules to ensure accuracy, completeness, appropriate documentation, and timely resolution of identified issues.
• Support and review the end-to-end equity accounting and administration process, including stock-based compensation, equity transactions, share and award activity, reconciliations between the equity administration platform and general ledger, and related financial statement disclosures.
• Lead the evaluation of complex and nonroutine transactions under U.S. GAAP, including equity-based compensation, debt and equity transactions, collaboration and licensing arrangements, research and development arrangements, leases, and other matters relevant to a clinical-stage biotechnology company.
• Prepare and maintain technical accounting memoranda and supporting documentation that clearly articulate the relevant facts, authoritative guidance, analyses, judgments, and conclusions.
• Develop, document, and maintain scalable SEC reporting policies, procedures, disclosure controls, and internal controls over financial reporting, including controls that support SOX readiness and future compliance; review related business processes and technology-dependent controls that affect the Company’s broader control environment.
• Serve as a primary accounting contact for external auditors and coordinate with outside counsel, tax advisors, valuation specialists, and other service providers on financial reporting, audit, and technical accounting matters.
• Prepare materials for Disclosure Committee and Audit Committee review, including key accounting judgments, reporting developments, disclosure matters, control considerations, and filing status updates.
• Ensure compliance with the Company’s accounting policies and internal control framework; review process and control design across relevant business functions, including processes outside financial reporting where they support SOX compliance, governance, or enterprise-wide controls; promptly identify control gaps or reporting risks; and lead timely remediation in coordination with the applicable process owners.
• Build effective working relationships across accounting, finance, legal, human resources, research and development, and other functions to obtain complete and accurate information for financial reporting and technical accounting analyses.
• Support the selection, implementation, and optimization of financial reporting, equity administration, and close-management systems, and help recruit, develop, and mentor accounting team members as the organization grows.

Essential Physical Characteristics:

• Reasonable accommodation(s) may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of a job, on a case-by-case basis.

Education and Experience:

• 8-10 years of progressive accounting and financial reporting experience, including significant experience with SEC reporting and technical accounting; prior experience in the life sciences or biotechnology industry is strongly preferred.
• Bachelor’s degree in accounting, finance, or a related field required; active CPA license required.

Specialized Knowledge:

• Deep knowledge of U.S. GAAP, SEC reporting requirements, financial statement presentation, disclosure requirements, and internal controls over financial reporting is required.
• Demonstrated experience preparing or reviewing Forms 10-Q and 10-K, annual proxy statements, registration statements, financial statements, footnote disclosures, and MD&A.
• Demonstrated ability to research complex accounting matters, interpret authoritative guidance, develop supportable conclusions, and prepare clear technical accounting memoranda.
• Experience managing financial statement audits and quarterly reviews with a Big Four or national public accounting firm; prior public accounting experience is strongly preferred.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to explain complex accounting and reporting matters clearly to executives, Audit Committee members, auditors, legal counsel, and non-finance stakeholders.
• Excellent judgment, integrity, organization, and attention to detail, with the ability to take ownership, manage competing priorities, and deliver accurate work within demanding reporting deadlines.
• Advanced proficiency with Microsoft Excel and experience with financial reporting and SEC filing software, ERP systems, and equity administration platforms.
• Experience with NetSuite and public-company reporting tools is preferred; experience implementing or optimizing reporting, close-management, or equity administration systems is a plus.

Compensation:

• This is a full-time position, Monday-Friday, occasional overtime.
• Pay is commensurate with experience.
• Equity-based compensation
• Performance-based bonuses
• 401(k) with Company Match
• Medical, Dental, Vision
• Flexible Spending Account
• Life Insurance
• Employee Assistance Program
• Employee Discounts
• Gym Membership
• Paid Vacation
• Paid Holidays
• Paid Sick, Jury Duty, Bereavement

Work Authorization:

• United States (Required)
• Background Check
• As a condition of employment, you must successfully complete all post-offer, pre-employment requirements, including but not limited to a background check.

Disclosure Statement:

• The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by employees assigned to this classification. They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required of employees assigned to this position.
• Any data processed in connection with role applications will be treated in accordance with applicable data privacy policies and regulations.
• The range provided is based on what we believe is a reasonable estimate for the base salary pay range for this job at the time of posting. This role is eligible for an annual target bonus and annual equity awards. Some roles may also be eligible for overtime pay, in accordance with federal and state requirements. Actual base salary pay will be based on a number of factors, including skills, competencies, type and length of experience within the industry, and other job-related factors permitted by law.
• Total Compensation includes base salary; benefits: medical, vision, and dental insurance; life insurance; 401(k) matching program; paid time off; paid holidays; Employee Assistance Program; and other employee benefits. This role may also be eligible for short-term or long-term incentive compensation, including but not limited to cash bonuses.
• Following a conditional offer of employment, satisfactory completion of a background check (including criminal records check) is required prior to beginning employment. Any offer of employment may be rescinded if the background check reveals disqualifying information, and/or it is discovered that the candidate knowingly withheld or falsified information. Failure to satisfactorily complete the background check may affect the continued employment of a current NAI employee who was conditionally offered the position.

ADARx Pharmaceuticals is an EEO employer committed to an exciting, diverse, and enriching work environment. We prohibit discrimination and harassment of any kind based on race, color, sex, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, genetic information, pregnancy, or any other protected characteristic as outlined by federal, state, or local laws.