Manager, Accounting

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 Kardigan’s mission to develop multiple targeted treatments in parallel that bring people with cardiovascular diseases to the cures they deserve. Led by Tassos Gianakakos, Jay Edelberg, M.D., Ph.D., and Bob McDowell, Ph.D., Kardigan’s co-founders have reunited after leading MyoKardia to discover and develop mavacamten, the first cardiac myosin inhibitor, resulting in an acquisition by Bristol Myers Squibb in 2020. We have a cutting-edge discovery and translational research platform, a pipeline of late-stage candidates, and an industry-leading team that is driven to improve the lives of patients. 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   Department:  Finance & Accounting   Reports To:  Senior Director, Accounting   Location:  Princeton, NJ – On-site 4 days per week (Mon to Thurs)   Job Overview   Kardigan is seeking a skilled and detail-oriented   Manager, Accounting , to  manage and oversee  the company’s accounting functions. This position primarily focuses on  managing and independently executing complex aspects of the company’s accounting operations, ensuring compliance with GAAP, financial reporting accuracy, and efficient financial processes. In addition, the role will also assist in processing payroll and payroll related matters, accounts payable and purchasing. This is an exciting opportunity for a professional with hands-on experience and a strong accounting background to have a meaningful impact on financial operations within a growing organization. The ideal candidate will play a critical role  in driving process improvements and working alongside key internal teams to enhance overall business performance.   Essential Duties and Responsibilities   Accounting Leadership:   Manage and oversee  the company’s general ledger, ensuring accuracy and compliance with GAAP, internal policies, and regulatory guidelines while  leading   month-end and year-end close processes, including preparing and reviewing more complex reconciliations, journal entries, and accruals.  Own and resolve complex, judgmental balance sheet reconciliations, including R&D and clinical trial expense accruals, prepaid balances, and intercompany accounts, by identifying root causes rather than simply  tying  out balances.  Review and analyze   financial data to maintain accuracy and integrity in records, assist in preparing financial statements for business decision-making, and assist with proper accounting treatment, including evaluation of non-routine or judgmental transactions.  Research, document, and present the company's position accounting matters (e.g., revenue recognition, leases, R&D cost accrual and capitalization), in clear, well-supported memos.   System Integration and Management:   Lead collaboration  with the IT teams to maintain and optimize accounting and payroll systems.  Oversee and improve  the integration between GL, payroll data, accounts payables, purchasing and the general ledger, and work to enhance the functionality and efficiency of financial systems such as NetSuite, including supporting enhancements that impact multiple functional areas.   Operational Excellence:   Lead continuous improvement initiatives  to improve processes and accounting workflows to increase efficiency and scalability, particularly as the organization grows in complexity. Being a reliable backup for the payroll, accounts payable and purchasing functions.   Audit & Compliance Support:   Coordinate accounting and payroll audit activities ,  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, including advising on accounting implications or cross-functional initiatives. Collaborate with the FP&A team to ensure accuracy and integrity in financial reporting. Assemble and prepare statistics on key areas of company operations and assist in analyzing, interpreting, and communicating this information.  Serve as a trusted accounting business partner, providing guidance on accounting implications of operational and strategic initiatives.   Qualifications and Preferred Skills   Bachelor’s degree in accounting, Finance, or a related field; CPA, or relevant advanced degree preferred. 8–10+ years of progressive accounting experience, with at least 2–3 years of experience leading accounting processes, projects, or team members. Experience in the biotechnology, pharmaceutical, or broader life sciences industry, ideally with a pre-commercial or clinical-stage company, is required . Strong knowledge of GAAP