Senior Accountant

POSITION SUMMARY

Natera is seeking an experienced and detail-oriented Senior Accountant to support key accounting operations related to Clinical Trials and Research & Development (R&D) activities. This role is responsible for clinical trial accruals, prepaid expense accounting, R&D expense analysis, month-end close activities, and financial reporting in compliance with GAAP, ASC 730, and SOX requirements.

The Senior Accountant will partner closely with Clinical Operations, FP&A, Procurement, and external vendors including CROs and clinical sites to ensure accurate accounting and reporting of clinical trial and R&D expenditures. This individual will also support process improvements and technical accounting reviews related to clinical trial agreements and research activities.

This is a fully remote position, offering the opportunity to work from anywhere within the United States while collaborating with a high-performing and dynamic finance team. It is an excellent opportunity for an accounting professional looking to grow within a rapidly expanding public biotechnology company.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Clinical Trial & R&D Accounting

• Prepare monthly clinical trial accruals, prepaid roll-forwards, and reconciliations in accordance with ASC 730
• Gather enrollment, site activity, and milestone data from Clinical Operations to support accrual calculations
• Review CRO and clinical site invoices against contracted milestones and fee schedules; identify and investigate variances
• Support R&D expense accounting, including accruals, prepaid amortization, and cost allocations
• Assist with technical accounting reviews of new and amended clinical trial agreements
• Maintain supporting schedules and documentation related to clinical trial and R&D accounting activities
• Partner cross-functionally with Clinical Operations, Legal, Procurement, and FP&A to ensure accurate and timely accounting treatment of research-related expenditures

Month-End Close & Financial Reporting

• Perform month-end close activities, including journal entries, account reconciliations, and flux analysis
• Prepare fluctuation analyses and provide explanations for financial trends and variances
• Review, investigate, and correct accounting errors, inconsistencies, and reporting issues
• Ensure compliance with GAAP, internal controls, and company accounting policies
• Proactively communicate accounting, financial reporting, or control issues to management
• Support internal and external audit requests, including preparation of supporting documentation

SOX Compliance & Process Improvement

• Execute SOX 404(b) controls related to clinical trial and R&D accounting processes
• Contribute to process improvements across clinical trial and R&D accounting workflows
• Participate in automation, scalability, and operational efficiency initiatives within the accounting function
• Collaborate with team members to improve reporting accuracy and streamline month-end close processes

KEY QUALIFICATIONS

Experience & Background

• Minimum of 2–3 years of accounting or audit experience required
• Public accounting/audit background required; Big 4 experience strongly preferred given SOX and technical accounting scope
• Experience in biotechnology, life sciences, healthcare, or pharmaceutical industries strongly preferred
• Experience supporting R&D or clinical trial accounting activities preferred

Competencies

• Proven ability to perform under pressure and consistently meet tight deadlines
• Highly proactive self-starter with strong ownership mindset and ability to work independently
• Quick learner who can ramp up on new systems, processes, and technical topics with minimal guidance
• Demonstrated track record of identifying and implementing process improvements
• Ability to navigate ambiguity and adapt quickly in a fast-paced environment
• Strong analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills; detail-oriented with a high degree of accuracy and accountability
• Team-oriented mindset with a willingness to learn and take initiative

EDUCATION & CERTIFICATIONS

• Bachelor's Degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field required; equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered
• CPA: Preferred, not required

TECHNICAL SKILLS

• Advanced Excel: Required (complex formulas, pivot tables, financial modeling)
• Oracle Fusion ERP: Preferred
• Google Workspace: Preferred (Gmail, Google Sheets, Google Docs)
• Strong understanding of accrual accounting and GAAP, including ASC 730 R&D accounting
• Experience with clinical trial accounting, CRO/vendor management, or life sciences accounting processes preferred

Compensation & Total Rewards 

This range reflects a good-faith estimate of the base pay we reasonably expect to offer at the time of  hire. Final compensation will vary based on experience, qualifications, and skills considerations.

This position is also eligible for additional compensation and benefits through Natera’s robust Total Rewards program, including:

• Comprehensive health benefits (medical, dental, vision)

• 401(k) with company match

• Generous paid time off and company holidays

• Additional wellness and work-life benefits

Compensation Range

$70,000 - $87,000 USD

OUR OPPORTUNITY

Natera™ is a global leader in cell-free DNA (cfDNA) testing, dedicated to oncology, women’s health, and organ health. Our aim is to make personalized genetic testing and diagnostics part of the standard of care to protect health and enable earlier and more targeted interventions that lead to longer, healthier lives.

The Natera team consists of highly dedicated statisticians, geneticists, doctors, laboratory scientists, business professionals, software engineers and many other professionals from world-class institutions, who care deeply for our work and each other. When you join Natera, you’ll work hard and grow quickly. Working alongside the elite of the industry, you’ll be stretched and challenged, and take pride in being part of a company that is changing the landscape of genetic disease management.

WHAT WE OFFER

Competitive Benefits - Employee benefits include comprehensive medical, dental, vision, life and disability plans for eligible employees and their dependents. Additionally, Natera employees and their immediate families receive free testing in addition to fertility care benefits. Other benefits include pregnancy and baby bonding leave, 401k benefits, commuter benefits and much more. We also offer a generous employee referral program!

For more information, visit www.natera.com.

Natera is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to ensuring a diverse and inclusive workplace environment, and welcome people of different backgrounds, experiences, abilities and perspectives. Inclusive collaboration benefits our employees, our community and our patients, and is critical to our mission of changing the management of disease worldwide.

All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply, and will be considered without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, age, veteran status, disability or any other legally protected status. We also consider qualified applicants regardless of criminal histories, consistent with applicable laws.

If you are based in California, we encourage you to read this important information for California residents. 

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Please be advised that Natera will reach out to candidates with a @natera.com email domain ONLY. Email communications from all other domain names are not from Natera or its employees and are fraudulent. Natera does not request interviews via text messages and does not ask for personal information until a candidate has engaged with the company and has spoken to a recruiter and the hiring team. Natera takes cyber crimes seriously, and will collaborate with law enforcement authorities to prosecute any related cyber crimes.