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Manager, Accounting & Payroll (SSF, CA)

South San Francisco, California, United States

About Us 

Kardigan is a heart health company working to make cardiovascular disease preventable, curable and no longer the leading cause of death in the world. It is our mission to develop multiple targeted treatments in parallel that bring people with cardiovascular diseases to the cures they deserve. 

At Kardigan, we are motivated by our values which guide how we work, interact, and achieve our goals. Driven by patients and their families, we are deeply committed to improving the lives of patients and prioritizing their needs above all else. We believe in being authentic—leading with truth to bring out the best in others by creating an environment where every person knows they will be fully accepted. With an eagerness to learn, we encourage the highest levels of curiosity and are open to changing our minds. We are committed to winning as a team with urgency, excellence, and intention, and support each other no matter what role we play or where we sit. Lastly, we strive to enable the impossible because patients are counting on us. We are not afraid to take risks to unlock innovation and advance scientific discoveries.   

These values are the foundation of our work, empowering us to make a real difference, every day.  

 

Position Title: Manager, Accounting & Payroll 

Department: Finance & Accounting 

Reports To: Senior Director, Accounting 

 

Job Overview 

Kardigan is seeking a skilled and detail-oriented Manager, Accounting & Payroll, to oversee the company’s accounting functions while also executing payroll operations in a multi-faceted, accounting-driven role. This position primarily focuses on managing and improving the company’s accounting operations, ensuring compliance with GAAP, financial reporting accuracy, and efficient financial processes. In addition, the role is responsible for processing payroll, ensuring compliance with regulations, and maintaining payroll-related financial records. This is an exciting opportunity for a professional with extensive accounting expertise and working knowledge of payroll processes to have a meaningful impact on financial operations within a growing organization. The ideal candidate will play a critical role in financial decision-making, driving process improvements, and working alongside key internal teams to enhance overall business performance. 

 

Essential Duties and Responsibilities 

Accounting Leadership: Manage the company’s general ledger, ensuring accuracy and compliance with GAAP, internal policies, and regulatory guidelines while overseeing month-end and year-end close processes, including reconciliations, journal entries, accruals, and financial reporting. Review and analyze financial data to maintain accuracy and integrity in records, assist in preparing financial statements for business decision-making, and ensure proper accounting treatment for complex transactions and payroll-related costs. Collaborate with external auditors and tax advisors to support financial audits, tax filings, and compliance requirements. 

Payroll Execution & Compliance: Process the company’s payroll operations, ensuring timely and accurate processing of payroll, ensuring compliance with regulations, company policies, and industry standards. Work closely with the human resources and payroll advisor to maintain accurate payroll records, tax filings, and ensure employee pay is processed correctly, while also making payroll general ledger entries ensuring accurate reflection of payroll costs and liabilities in the accounting system. 

System Integration and Management: Collaborate with the payroll advisor and IT teams to maintain and optimize accounting and payroll systems. Ensure seamless integration between payroll data and the general ledger, and work to enhance the functionality and efficiency of financial systems such as NetSuite. 

Operational Excellence: Develop, enhance, and implement accounting and payroll policies and procedures that improve operations, minimize errors, and ensure compliance. Continuously improve payroll processes and accounting workflows to increase efficiency and scalability. 

Audit & Compliance Support: Assist in accounting and payroll audits, ensuring all records and financial reports are accurate, complete, and compliant with applicable laws and regulations. Support the preparation for internal and external audits by providing required documentation and responding to audit inquiries. 

Business Partnership: Work closely with cross-functional teams (HR, IT, FP&A) to provide insights and recommendations that drive operational efficiency and sound financial decision-making. Collaborate with the FP&A team to ensure accuracy and integrity in financial reporting. 

 

Qualifications and Preferred Skills 

  • Bachelor's degree in accounting, Finance, or a related field; CPP, or relevant advanced degree preferred.

  • 8+ years of progressive accounting experience, with additional experience in payroll accounting, with at least 3 years in a managerial role.

  • Strong knowledge of GAAP and payroll regulations, with the ability to apply this knowledge in financial reporting and payroll transactions.

  • Proven ability to make independent accounting decisions and provide recommendations for financial accuracy and compliance.

  • Experience with ERP systems (NetSuite required). Proven ability to design, implement, and improve accounting and payroll processes in a growing organization.

  • Ensuring that all necessary documentation is kept in an orderly manner for audit purposes.

  • Strong analytical skills, with the ability to interpret complex financial data and ensure accuracy in accounting records.

  • Experience managing payroll and financial audits, ensuring compliance with regulatory compliance measures.

  • Ability to stay updated on payroll regulations and implement necessary compliance measures.

  • You are a self-starter who can plan, organize and take the initiative to meet job objectives and deadlines independently.

  • Excellent communication skills, with the ability to convey complex financial and payroll information to non-financial stakeholders.

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