Associate Director, Accounting
Denali Therapeutics
August 07, 2026
Remote friendly (South San Francisco, CA)
United States
Corporate Functions
Key Accountabilities/Core Job Responsibilities:
- Lead day-to-day management of monthly, quarterly, and annual close; review/approve journal entries and account reconciliations.
- Monitor close progress, resolve issues, and ensure timely completion of close deliverables.
- Oversee accounting for pre-clinical and clinical trial expenses and related R&D accruals.
- Manage accounting for stock-based compensation, ESPP, bonus accruals, and other payroll-related accounting.
- Review accounts payable activities and related accounting controls.
- Serve as process owner for assigned SOX controls; coordinate with internal/external auditors (EY, Deloitte).
- Provide oversight of accounts payable operations; identify opportunities to strengthen efficiency and controls.
- Serve as business owner for Coupa; review/approve testing for system enhancements, upgrades, and process changes.
- Lead finance systems and process improvement initiatives with IT and business stakeholders.
- Prepare/review technical accounting analyses, accounting memos, and implementation of new accounting standards (Associate Director level).
- Support external audits, quarterly reviews, SEC reporting processes, and special projects.
- Lead, coach, and develop the accounting team.
Qualifications/Skills:
- Active CPA required.
- Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field.
- Typically: 9+ years industry experience; 5+ years management experience; 12+ years progressive accounting experience.
- Big Four public accounting experience required (5+ years preferred).
- Strong knowledge of U.S. GAAP, SOX compliance, and public company reporting.
- SAP and Coupa experience strongly preferred.
- Public biotechnology/pharmaceutical/life sciences (or similar) public company experience required.
- Ability to lead cross-functional projects, drive process improvements, and manage competing priorities.
Benefits/Compensation & Application:
- Salary range: $159,000.00–$207,000.00.
- Total rewards include 401(k), healthcare coverage, and ESPP.
- Apply at: https://www.denalitherapeutics.com/careers
- Lead day-to-day management of monthly, quarterly, and annual close; review/approve journal entries and account reconciliations.
- Monitor close progress, resolve issues, and ensure timely completion of close deliverables.
- Oversee accounting for pre-clinical and clinical trial expenses and related R&D accruals.
- Manage accounting for stock-based compensation, ESPP, bonus accruals, and other payroll-related accounting.
- Review accounts payable activities and related accounting controls.
- Serve as process owner for assigned SOX controls; coordinate with internal/external auditors (EY, Deloitte).
- Provide oversight of accounts payable operations; identify opportunities to strengthen efficiency and controls.
- Serve as business owner for Coupa; review/approve testing for system enhancements, upgrades, and process changes.
- Lead finance systems and process improvement initiatives with IT and business stakeholders.
- Prepare/review technical accounting analyses, accounting memos, and implementation of new accounting standards (Associate Director level).
- Support external audits, quarterly reviews, SEC reporting processes, and special projects.
- Lead, coach, and develop the accounting team.
Qualifications/Skills:
- Active CPA required.
- Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field.
- Typically: 9+ years industry experience; 5+ years management experience; 12+ years progressive accounting experience.
- Big Four public accounting experience required (5+ years preferred).
- Strong knowledge of U.S. GAAP, SOX compliance, and public company reporting.
- SAP and Coupa experience strongly preferred.
- Public biotechnology/pharmaceutical/life sciences (or similar) public company experience required.
- Ability to lead cross-functional projects, drive process improvements, and manage competing priorities.
Benefits/Compensation & Application:
- Salary range: $159,000.00–$207,000.00.
- Total rewards include 401(k), healthcare coverage, and ESPP.
- Apply at: https://www.denalitherapeutics.com/careers