Senior Accountant

Join our Mission to Protect Humankind!

Vaxcyte is a clinical-stage vaccine innovation company engineering high-fidelity vaccines to protect humankind from the consequences of bacterial diseases, which have serious and costly health consequences when left unchecked. Working to eradicate or treat bacterial infections such as invasive pneumococcal disease, Group A Strep, and Shigella is just the beginning. Our path to success is clear and well-defined, and Vaxcyte is set up to go the distance. 

 

WHAT  we do is every bit as important as  HOW  we do it! Our work together is guided by four enduring core values:

 

*RETHINK CONVENTION: We bring creative and intellectual diversity to every facet of the work we do in order to innovate and re-innovate the way vaccines are delivered.

 

*AIM HIGH: We embody our collectively audacious goal to courageously make the most complex biologics ever attempted to protect humankind.

 

*LEAD WITH HEART: Everyone leads at Vaxcyte with a kindness-first, inclusive approach to collaboration and vigorous debate that advances our business objectives.

 

*MODEL EXCELLENCE:  The magnitude of our challenge requires our shared commitment to demonstrating integrity, accountability, equality and clarity across communications and decision making.

Summary:  

Reporting to the Associate Director, Accounting, the Senior Accountant leads key month-end close activities — including journal entries, account reconciliations, prepaid amortization schedules, financial statement fluctuation analyses, audit support, and ad hoc projects — and partners closely with cross-functional teams across a fast-growing, clinical-stage biotech.  

The ideal candidate learns quickly, including in uncharted territory, and is comfortable operating in a fast-paced environment. This person is flexible, detail-oriented, and brings a genuine passion for process improvement and innovation, paired with strong oral and written communication skills.  

Essential Functions:  

• Prepare journal entries for month-end, quarter-end, and year-end general ledger close.  

• Perform balance sheet account analyses and reconciliations, including cash, investments, prepaid expenses, and receivables.

• Maintain and review prepaid amortization schedules in BlackLine, including preparation of related amortization journal entries.

• Prepare open PO accruals, non-PO accruals, etc.

• Collaborate with Clinical and other cross-functional departments to ensure the accuracy and completeness of operating expenses.

• Prepare monthly and quarterly fluctuation analyses for management.

• Assist and implement internal controls under SOX Section 404, and maintain adherence to related policies and procedures.

• Support preparation of annual audit prepared-by-client (PBC) list.

• Assist with the preparation of internal and external financial statements and related disclosures.

• Support the evaluation and implementation of financial systems, process improvements, and other special projects.  

Requirements:  

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting or Finance.  At least 5 years of progressive accounting experience, including accrual-basis accounting.  Other combinations of education and/or experience may be considered.  

• Accounting experience at a publicly traded company a plus.  

• Biotech or life sciences industry experience a plus.

• CPA, or active progress toward CPA licensure, a plus.

• Experience with an ERP system required; NetSuite, SAP and/or BlackLine experience a plus.

• Experience with AI: ChatGPT or Claude experience a plus.  

  Skills & Attributes:  

• Strong Excel skills.

• Strong oral and written communication skills, with a proven ability to communicate effectively with employees at all levels and with outside vendors and auditors.

• Ability to manage multiple tasks against strict deadlines with meticulous attention to detail.

• Positive work ethic and organizational skills, with unquestionable integrity and personal ethics.

• A collaborative team player able to partner with internal and external contacts at all levels.

• Ability to work independently and as part of a team, shifting focus and adapting to changing priorities.

• Exceptional focus on customer service.  

Reports to: Associate Director , Accounting

 

Location: San Carlos, CA

 

Work Arrangement (may be adjusted based on business needs, job responsibilities, or changes to company policy): 

Hybrid (minimum of 3 days per week onsite) 

 

Compensation: The compensation package will be competitive and includes comprehensive benefits and an equity component.

 

Salary Range: $119,000 - $139,000  (SF Bay Area). Salary ranges for non-California locations may vary.

  Equal Opportunity

We are an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or veteran status.

Recruitment Fraud Notice

Please be aware of fraud or scams from individuals, organizations and/or internet sites claiming to represent Vaxcyte in recruitment activities. Vaxcyte has an established recruitment process for all positions prior to issuing an offer for employment and we will never extend unsolicited employment offers or ask candidates to provide financial or sensitive personal information as part of the application process. All legitimate communication from Vaxcyte will come from an official @vaxcyte.com email address. Qualified and interested candidates should apply to current openings at  vaxcyte.com/careers .