Associate Director, Accounting

Kyverna Therapeutics is a patient-centered, clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company developing cell therapies for patients suffering from autoimmune diseases. Guided by our core values, Stay True to Why, Collaborate to Accelerate, Lead with Clarity, Boldly Innovative, and Own the Outcome, we are committed to transforming the future of treatment for autoimmune disease. Join us at the forefront of cell therapy innovation and help redefine what’s possible.

Position Overview

Kyverna is seeking an experienced Associate Director of Accounting to play a hands-on role in the month-end close and accounting operations, including oversight of Accounts Payable activities and management of an offshore AP team. This individual will independently own assigned general ledger areas and partner closely with business stakeholders and external partners to obtain timely and accurate inputs. The role requires a proactive, execution-oriented leader who can drive issues to resolution, accelerate the close, improve AP and close-related processes, and implement practical, system-enabled enhancements in a fast-paced environment. The Associate Director is expected to make meaningful contributions to financial systems implementations, close optimization, and process improvements that support a scalable, well-controlled accounting organization.

This is a high-impact role well suited for a seasoned accounting professional with a strong understanding of U.S. GAAP and technical accounting, as well as prior experience leading the financial close and Accounts Payable functions within the biotech or life sciences industry.

Job Title: Associate Director of Accounting

Reports To: Sr. Director of Accounting

Location: Hybrid (Emeryville, CA)

Responsibilities

• Operational Accounting
• Lead the month-end, quarter-end, and year-end financial close processes, ensuring timely and accurate journal entries, account reconciliations, and close deliverables with a focus on driving issues to resolution and meeting accelerated close timelines
• Own the general accrual process, including contract review, evaluation of estimates and assumptions, preparation and review of journal entries, and reconciliation of accrual balances
• Manage and oversee end-to-end Accounts Payable operations, providing day-to-day leadership to an offshore AP team and partnering closely with Procurement to ensure compliance with approval workflows, proper GL coding, vendor onboarding, and timely disbursements
• Oversee lease accounting activities in accordance with ASC 842, including maintenance of lease schedules, journal entries, and ongoing compliance and reporting requirements
• Maintain and reconcile fixed asset schedules, ensuring appropriate capitalization, depreciation, and disposal treatment in accordance with U.S. GAAP
• Manage the corporate card program in partnership with the Senior Director of Accounting
• Monitor and amortize prepaid expenses, ensuring accuracy and completeness of schedules
• Oversee cash and investment account reconciliations and reporting, supporting cash flow forecasting
• Support other Associate Directors of Accounting and provide accounting support for CRO and/or CMO accruals as needed
• Own SOX control execution and documentation for assigned accounting areas
• Prepare audit schedules, variance analyses, and other financial analytics
• Systems & Process Enhancement
• Support the implementation of procure-to-pay systems and finance system enhancements
• Lead and support the rollout of the corporate card program
• Identify and drive process improvements and automation initiatives
• Ensure accounting systems are configured to support scalable and SOX-compliant processes
• Other
• Collaborate with FP&A, Procurement, IT, and Payroll to ensure cross-functional alignment
• Support external audits, tax provision calculations, and regulatory requirements

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting or related discipline; CPA or equivalent preferred
• 9+ years of progressive accounting experience, including in biotech, pharma, or high-growth life sciences
• Strong knowledge of US GAAP and accounting operations, including payables, general ledger, cash, and fixed assets
• Audit experience preferred
• Hands-on systems experience (NetSuite, Coupa, etc.)
• Proven experience leading or supporting financial systems implementations (NetSuite, Coupa, Concur, etc.)
• Experience with SOX compliance and internal controls within a publicly traded company
• Advanced Excel skills and familiarity with reporting tools (e.g., NetSuite)
• Strong project management and cross-functional communication skills

The national salary range for this position is $175,000 to $195,000 USD annually. The final compensation will be based on individual qualifications, experience, skills, internal equity, and market alignment. This position is also eligible for an annual bonus, comprehensive benefits, and participation in the Company’s stock option plan.