Manager, Collaborations Accounting (Pharma)

Job Description

A leading biotech company that invents, develops, and commercializes medicines globally is seeking an Manager, Collaborations Accounting to lead a high-visibility team responsible for some of the most complex and critical areas of the organizations accounting operations. This role will oversee profit-sharing and co-development (collaboration) arrangements, including cost-sharing transactions and revenue recognition under ASC 808. The ideal candidate is a hands-on operational accountant, handling debits, credits, journal entries, accruals, reconciliations, and close processes. This is not a technical accounting policy or audit role, but rather, an individual who is in 'in the numbers' and comfortable working cross-functionally with R&D, FP&A, and external partners, translating complex partnership agreements into accurate financial results. Looking for experienced individuals with a background in Big 4 public accounting, biotech, pharma, and/or life sciences industry knowledge, and operational accounting expertise in a complex environment.

Responsibilities Include:

• Manage accounting for profit-sharing, co-development, and licensing deals with external partners.

• Interpret complex collaboration agreements and translate contract terms into accurate journal entries and financial statements, ensuring compliance with ASC 808 and relevant U.S. GAAP revenue recognition standards.

• Prepare and review journal entries, accruals (e.g., R&D cost sharing, milestone payments), account reconciliations, and variance analyses to ensure timely and accurate financial close.

• Calculate and validate collaboration profit-sharing revenues and cost-sharing expenses. Ensure the accurate recording of R&D license fee accruals and any other entries arising from collaborative agreements.

• Ensure robust SOX controls and proper documentation for all collaboration accounting activities. Support collaborative partner audits, by providing clear workpapers, account analyses, and explanations of how agreement terms are accounted for.

• Serve as the liaison between the Collaborations Accounting team, R&D, FP&A, and external partners to reconcile inter-company balances. Provide operational accounting insight to technical accounting teams when new partnership arrangements are being evaluated, ensuring that practical execution aligns with technical guidance.

• Manage 2-3 accounting professionals within the Collaborations Accounting group. Provide guidance and training to develop operational accounting expertise.

• Lead or support ad hoc projects related to new collaboration agreements, financial system implementations, or other strategic initiatives in the accounting organization.

We are a company committed to creating diverse and inclusive environments where people can bring their full, authentic selves to work every day. We are an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer that believes everyone matters. Qualified candidates will receive consideration for employment regardless of their race, color, ethnicity, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, marital status, national origin, ancestry, genetic factors, age, disability, protected veteran status, military or uniformed service member status, or any other status or characteristic protected by applicable laws, regulations, and ordinances. If you need assistance and/or a reasonable accommodation due to a disability during the application or recruiting process, please send a request to [email protected] learn more about how we collect, keep, and process your private information, please review Insight Global's Workforce Privacy Policy:

Skills and Requirements

• 7+ years of operational accounting or collaborations accounting experience.

• 2+ years in a managerial role.

• Experience in public accounting either from a Big 4 or Tier 2 consulting firm.

• Experience in the pharmaceutical, biotechnology, or life sciences industry, with familiarity of industry terminology.

• Hands-on operational accounting expertise: journal entries, debits, credits, accruals, reconciliations, and close processes.

• Strong knowledge of U.S. GAAP, with specific experience in revenue recognition and ASC 808 (collaborative arrangements).

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting or similar.

• Excellent communication skills and ability to collaborate cross-functionally with R&D, FP&A, and external partners. - Familiarity with the drug development lifecycle (from R&D to commercial revenue) and how it impacts accounting treatment.

• Experience with Oracle General Ledger or similar ERP systems.