Senior Accountant, Revenue Accounting
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, Revenue Accounting to join its Finance & Accounting team at its Pasadena, CA or San Diego, CA locations. Reporting to the Senior Accounting Manager and working closely with the Controller and cross-functional teams, this role supports key aspects of partnership/collaboration accounting and commercial revenue.
This is a newly created, high‑impact role for executing core revenue accounting processes in a complex, ASC 606-driven environment. The position will play a critical role in ensuring accurate financial reporting, supporting SEC disclosures, and maintaining SOX-compliant processes. The ideal candidate is detail-oriented, highly responsive, and technically strong in revenue accounting, with experience operating in a fast-paced life sciences or public company environment.
This is a full-time, onsite position from our location in Pasadena, CA or San Diego, CA.
Responsibilities
- Develop a deep understanding of partnership and customer contracts and serve as the subject‑matter expert on revenue accounting under ASC 606 and U.S. GAAP. Review and assess complex contracts, including partnership arrangements, to determine appropriate revenue recognition treatment and disclosure requirements.
- Monthly close responsibilities:
- Prepare revenue accounting models.
- Track actual labor hours and support updates to budgeted resource assumptions in collaboration with FP&A
- Assist with pulling and validating data from ERP systems (e.g., for cost reimbursement arrangements)
- Prepare journal entries related to revenue, receivables, and deferred revenue.
- Perform related balance sheet reconciliations and flux analysis. Analyze and record key revenue-related accounts, including:
- Accounts receivable
- Allowance for doubtful accounts
- Contract assets
- Short-term vs. long-term deferred revenue classification
- Support order-to-cash processes, including coordination with internal teams and review of transaction activity.
- Prepare revenue accounting models.
- Prepare and support SEC reporting requirements. Assist in preparation of revenue-related disclosures for Forms 10-Q and 10-K, including:
- Disaggregation of revenue
- Remaining performance obligations
- Significant judgments
- Billing and operational support:
- Prepare invoices to external parties, including cost reimbursement, clinical supplies, and other billable items
- Support gross-to-net revenue accounting activities, including coordination with third-party providers and review of supporting schedules.
- Prepare audit deliverables and provide PBC support to external auditors (e.g., KPMG), including:
- Revenue models
- Supporting schedules
- Responses to audit inquiries and sample selections
- Maintain and execute SOX-compliant controls over revenue and accounts receivable cycles, ensuring proper documentation and audit readiness.
- Partner cross-functionally with FP&A, Legal, Clinical, and IT teams to ensure completeness and accuracy of revenue inputs and reporting.
Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field.
- 3+ years of accounting experience, with exposure to revenue recognition (ASC 606 preferred)
- Strong understanding of U.S. GAAP and familiarity with revenue-related balance sheet accounts
- Experience supporting month-end close and balance sheet reconciliations
- Exposure to public company reporting and/or SEC filings is preferred
- Strong attention to detail and ability to manage multiple priorities under tight deadlines
- Strong analytical, organizational, and communication skills
Preferred
- Experience in life sciences, biotech, or pharmaceutical industry
- Big 4 accounting experience
- Experience with ERP systems (e.g., D365 or similar) and data extraction for reporting
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.