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Director, Financial Reporting & Technical Accounting

insitro· General & Administrative
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Hybrid (South San Francisco, CA)$217k - $231kFull-timePosted 4d ago

About the role

Director level role responsible for technical accounting and financial reporting, leading year-end audits, complex transactions (pharma collaborations, equity financings, stock-based compensation), 409A valuation, international compliance, and accounting policy. Opportunity to build and scale SOX/SEC reporting and a public-company finance function. Hybrid onsite in South San Francisco, reporting to the SVP, Accounting & Financial Operations.

Responsibilities

  • Own the Financial Statements: Direct the annual audit and financial statement process, preparing US GAAP financial statements and footnote disclosures that are accurate, timely, and fully supported
  • Run the Audit: Primary point of contact for external auditors, leading audit planning, PBC list, tie-outs, disclosure checklists, and resolution of audit comments
  • Lead the Disclosure Committee: Own and lead the Disclosure Committee, including agenda, meetings, gathering and assessing potential disclosure items, and documenting conclusions
  • Prepare Executive and Board Materials: Prepare and update financial reporting and accounting content for Executive Leadership Team and Board materials and support monthly reporting package and ad hoc investor requests
  • Lead Technical Accounting: Lead research and memos on complex transactions (ASC 606/ASC 808 collaboration revenue, ASC 842 leases, equity and financing instruments)
  • Account for the Pipeline: Evaluate accounting and disclosures for preclinical and clinical activities, including R&D and clinical trial accrual methodologies for CRO/CDMO arrangements
  • Shape Deals Early: Partner with Corporate Development, Legal, and Strategic Finance on partnerships, financings, and other transactions with accounting implications considered before terms are finalized
  • Leverage Advisors: Liaise with tax advisor, oversee tax provision, returns, R&D credit study, Section 382 analysis, and equity tax considerations for grants outside the US
  • Set the Policy: Develop and maintain US GAAP accounting policies; monitor FASB developments and adopt new standards
  • Own Stock-Based Compensation Accounting: Manage ASC 718 accounting and reporting, including expense recognition, award modifications, forfeitures, roll-forwards, and disclosures
  • Support the 409A Valuation: Collaborate with third-party valuation advisor on 409A inputs and conclusions
  • Ensure International Compliance: Oversee statutory reporting, audits, and local compliance for international subsidiaries; coordinate intercompany agreements and transfer pricing
  • Support Insurance Renewals: Assist with annual insurance renewal process and risk assessments
  • Support the Close: Prepare or review high-risk journal entries and reconciliations (stock-based comp, contract revenue)
  • Build for Scale: Design and maintain process documentation and internal controls; lead the SOX program where applicable
  • Build and Deploy AI Tools: Implement Claude and other AI tools to assist reporting and accounting workflows
  • Counsel and Advise: Provide clear accounting guidance suitable for non-accountants
  • Grow with the Function: Prepare for SOX compliance and SEC reporting; help expand the team
  • Special Projects: Participate in special projects as assigned

Qualifications

  • Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field
  • 8–12+ years of relevant experience (ideally mix of Big 4 public accounting and public company experience, biotech preferred)
  • Active CPA license
  • Deep US GAAP and financial reporting expertise with auditor-ready accounting positions
  • Experience with preclinical/clinical accounting and disclosures (R&D and clinical trial accruals)
  • Experience owning audited financial statements and footnotes with external auditors
  • Hands-on experience using AI tools (e.g., Claude) to improve accounting/workflows

Skills

Required:US GAAP knowledgeASC 606/ ASC 808 collaboration and partnership revenueASC 842 leasesASC 718 stock-based compensation
Nice to have:AI tooling (Claude, etc.) in accounting

Benefits

  • 401(k) with employer matching
  • Excellent medical, dental, and vision coverage plus mental health support
  • Open vacation policy
  • Paid parental leave (at least 16 weeks postpartum, 10 weeks for new parent)
  • Quarterly budget for books and online courses
  • New hire home office stipend
  • Monthly cell phone & internet stipend
  • Free onsite baristas and daily lunch for onsite/hybrid employees
  • Free commuter bus network to/from South San Francisco HQ
Last updated Oct 22, 2026. Interested? Apply on the company site.

About insitro

Making Medicines Differently

At insitro, we are building a different kind of drug company to bring better drugs faster to the patients who can benefit most. Through the power of machine learning (ML) and data at scale, we decode the complexities of biology to unlock transformative new medicines.

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