Senior Director, Technical Accounting

Septerna is a biotechnology company based in South San Francisco, CA on a mission to develop life-changing medicines for patients with the vision to become the industry-leading G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR)-focused drug discovery company. The company’s Native Complex Platform™ recapitulates GPCRs with their native structure, function, and dynamics outside of the cellular context. This approach enables novel access to modern structural and screening technologies used in industrial-scale drug discovery for the entire class of GPCRs. Septerna has an emerging pipeline of GPCR-targeted small molecule programs with potential for growth to target many GPCRs that have been undruggable and unexploited to date.

We are excited to expand our multidisciplinary team of individuals focused on creating revolutionary medicines to address the unmet needs of patients. At Septerna we strive to embrace diversity of thought, expertise, and background through collaboration. To join our ambitious team, be prepared to bring your real self to work every day; grow and learn from a talented team of drug hunters, scientists, and business professionals; and contribute your passion, creativity, and energy to accomplish our mission. We share a fearless pursuit of ground-breaking innovations and cultivate an environment where our employees succeed by learning from each other and working as a team.

We are committed to the development of meaningful therapeutics for patients with indications of high unmet need. This is a tremendous opportunity to work with talented individuals on the frontlines of therapeutic discovery and development. You will directly help move therapies through preclinical research, positioning them for success in the clinic. The successful candidate will add their passion, unique talents, and expertise to a dynamic team motivated to discover new disease-modifying therapeutics for patients in a fast-paced environment.

For more information see: www.septerna.com.

THE ROLE

Septerna is seeking an experienced and highly motivated Senior Director of Technical Accounting to lead and oversee complex accounting matters and ensure compliance with U.S. GAAP across the organization. This individual will play a critical role in supporting financial reporting, evaluating technical accounting issues, and building scalable accounting policies and processes as the company grows.

The ideal candidate will bring deep technical accounting expertise, strong judgment, and the ability to operate effectively in a fast-paced biotech environment. This position will work closely with Finance, FP&A, Legal, Investor Relations, and external auditors, and will report into the Vice President, Finance and Business Operations.

Responsibilities: 

• Lead the assessment and documentation of technical accounting matters, including revenue recognition, stock-based compensation, equity transactions, leases, and collaboration/licensing agreements
• Research, interpret, and implement new accounting standards and ensure ongoing compliance with U.S. GAAP and SEC reporting requirements
• Prepare technical accounting memos and position papers to support conclusions and external audit reviews
• Partner with Legal and Finance to review and structure complex contracts and transactions to ensure appropriate accounting treatment
• Support the preparation and review of financial statements and disclosures, including 10-Ks, 10-Qs, and other SEC filings (as applicable)
• Serve as a key liaison with external auditors, driving efficient and effective audit and review processes
• Establish and maintain accounting policies, procedures, and internal controls to support a growing organization
• Support M&A, business development, and financing transactions, including due diligence and accounting integration
• Mentor team members and contribute to building a high-performing accounting function

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting or related field; active CPA required
• A minimum of 10+ years of progressive accounting experience, including public accounting (Big 4 or equivalent) and biotechnology, life sciences or pharmaceutical industry experience
• Strong expertise in U.S. GAAP, revenue recognition, clinical trial accruals, equity, and SEC reporting in public companies
• Proven ability to research and resolve complex accounting issues and communicate conclusions clearly
• Experience working cross-functionally and influencing stakeholders across Finance, Legal, and business teams
• Strong analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills with high attention to detail
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, dynamic environment and manage multiple priorities effectively
• Collaborative, proactive, and solutions-oriented mindset with a focus on continuous improvement

The anticipated salary range for candidates who will work in South San Francisco, CA is $270,000 - $290,000. Individual pay may vary based on additional factors, including, and without limitation, job-related skills, experience, work location and relevant education or training. Septerna's compensation package also includes benefits, stock options, and annual target bonus for full-time positions.