Senior Accountant, SEC Reporting
About the job
Arrowhead Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Nasdaq ARWR) is a commercial stage biopharmaceutical company that develops medicines that treat intractable diseases by silencing the genes that cause them. Using a broad portfolio of RNA chemistries and efficient modes of delivery, Arrowhead therapies trigger the RNA interference mechanism to induce rapid, deep, and durable knockdown of target genes. RNA interference, or RNAi, is a mechanism present in living cells that inhibits the expression of a specific gene, thereby affecting the production of a specific protein. Arrowhead’s RNAi-based therapeutics leverage this natural pathway of gene silencing.
Arrowhead is focused on developing innovative drugs for diseases with a genetic basis, typically characterized by the overproduction of one or more proteins that are involved with disease. The depth and versatility of our RNAi technologies enables us to potentially address conditions in virtually any therapeutic area and pursue disease targets that are not otherwise addressable by small molecules and biologics. Arrowhead is leading the field in bringing the promise of RNAi to address diseases outside of the liver, and our clinical pipeline includes disease targets in the liver and lung with a promising pipeline of preclinical candidates.
Arrowhead’s corporate headquarters is in Pasadena, CA with research and development teams in Madison, WI & San Diego, CA, and a state of the art manufacturing facility in Verona, WI. Our employees are nimble, science-driven innovators who are collaborating to bring new therapies to patients in need.
The Position
Arrowhead is seeking a Senior Accountant, SEC Reporting, to join its Finance & Accounting team at its Pasadena, CA headquarters. Reporting to the Senior Accounting Manager, the Senior Accountant, SEC Reporting will prepare SEC Reporting related tasks, prepare higher risk areas as part of the accounting close process, and assist with ASC 842, ASC 718 and other technical accounting areas.
This is a newly created role as the Company grows and scales. Success in this position requires a mix of attention to detail, technical accounting expertise, and cross‑functional collaboration to ensure accurate financial reporting, operational efficiency, and SOX compliance. The ideal candidate is detail‑driven, highly responsive, tech‑savvy, and adaptable in a fast‑moving environment, with 3+ years of progressive experience in finance or accounting, with experience auditing or working for a public company, preferably within biotech or pharmaceutical companies.
This is a full-time, onsite position from our location in Pasadena, CA.
Responsibilities
- Maintain accounting policies and procedures in accordance with regulatory standards and SOX control requirements.
- Partner with Investor Relations, Legal, Treasury, Tax and IT to lead cross‑functional efforts to ensure timely and accurate SEC Filings.
- Hands-on preparation of assigned areas for the Company’s Forms 8-K, Proxy,10‑Q and 10‑
- Analyze variances between periods and/or between budgeted and actual financial results, identifying key drivers
- Assist audit processes by preparing internal reports and liaising with internal and external auditors to ensure a smooth and efficient audit
- Prepare disclosure checklists
- Perform tie-outs of financial statements and footnotes
- Prepare audit committee / disclosure committee support materials
- Maintain reporting calendars and filing timelines
- Prepare certain assigned month-end close and balance reconciliation tasks, such as debt, equity, lease, and EPS disclosures
- Ensure all tasks and projects are completed in a professional and timely manner
- Collaborate with accounting team members and other departments to resolve accounting questions and issues promptly
- Contribute to the development and improvement of accounting systems, programs, and procedures
- Prepare and maintain SOX‑compliant controls for responsible accounts, ensuring proper execution and documentation.
- Perform other accounting duties as required or assigned
Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field.
- 3+ years of financial accounting experience.
- In‑depth knowledge of U.S. GAAP and SOX compliance requirements
- Demonstrated ability to prepare and execute complex monthly and quarterly close processes.
- Strong organizational skills, with a focus on accuracy, detail orientation and the ability to produce in tight timelines
- Strong interpersonal, oral and written communication skills
- Possess the highest level of integrity
- Ability to adapt to a rapidly changing environment
- Excellent team player
- Self-motivated with an insatiable desire to learn & be challenged
- Ability for occasional travel between Arrowhead’s locations
Preferred
- Demonstrated experience in a technical accounting role within the life sciences, biotech, or pharmaceutical industry
- Big 4 accounting firm experience
- Public company experience and CPA
- Experience with Workiva, ERP systems.
Arrowhead provides competitive salaries and an excellent benefit package.
Candidates must have current, valid authorization to work in the country where this role is located.