Associate Director, Accounting Operations

Who We Are:

Cogent Biosciences is a publicly traded biotechnology company dedicated to developing precision therapies for genetically defined diseases. By leveraging validated biology and a rational drug discovery approach, Cogent aims to create real solutions that address the underlying drivers of disease and offer meaningful hope to patient's.

The company’s lead therapeutic candidate, bezuclastinib, is a highly selective tyrosine kinase inhibitor designed to potently target KIT D816V and other mutations in KIT exon 17. These mutations are known drivers of systemic mastocytosis (SM) and advanced gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GIST) - both serious conditions driven by oncogenic KIT signaling. Bezuclastinib is currently being evaluated in multiple registration-directed trials across Non-Advanced SM (NonAdvSM), Advanced SM (AdvSM), and GIST. In July 2025, Cogent announced that its registration-direct SUMMIT trial in patients with NonAdvSM achieved statistical significance across all primary and key secondary endpoints, and the company is on track to file its first New Drug Application for this patient population by the end of 2025. The company also remains on track to announce top-line results for its APEX trial in patients with AdvSM in the second half of 2025 and for its PEAK trial in patients with GIST by the end of 2025. The company also has an ongoing Phase 1 study of its novel internally discovered FGFR2 inhibitor, and the Cogent Research Team is developing a portfolio of novel targeted therapies to help patients fighting other serious, genetically driven diseases targeting mutations in ErbB2, PI3Kα and KRAS.

Through its commitment to precision medicine and targeted innovation, Cogent Biosciences is working to transform the treatment landscape for patients with serious and underserved diseases. By leveraging validated biology and a rational drug discovery approach, Cogent aims to create real solutions that address the underlying drivers of disease. Our culture of inquisitiveness fuels continuous learning and innovation; we challenge assumptions, ask bold questions, and embrace a mindset of discovery to uncover transformative insights.

The Role:

We are looking for a seasoned accounting leader to oversee day-to-day accounting operations, including accounts payable, vendor management, fixed assets, and procurement processes. This role provides strategic oversight of compliance, tax reporting, internal controls, and audit support while driving process improvements and automation initiatives.

Responsibilities:

• Own day-to-day accounting operations, including accounts payable, vendor management, fixed asset management, research lab procurement, and supporting services and contracts

• Prepare and review journal entries, accruals and account reconciliations

• Provide leadership, direction, and oversight to the accounting operations team responsible for purchasing and PO maintenance, invoice processing, vendor maintenance, and payment execution

• Support business tax reporting, including sales and use tax and VAT filings and work directly with third party consultants on tax filings

• Support state registrations, filings and maintenance

• Support and oversee the build out and maintenance of compliance processes, including expense report audit and Sunshine Act reporting processes; work closely with the compliance and accounting teams to ensure we have appropriate processes and controls in place

• Own and manage credit card and expense report reporting processes

• Ensure compliance with GAAP, internal policies, and all applicable regulatory requirements

• Work with internal teams to ensure procure to pay processes are efficient, well-documented, and aligned with internal controls and critically evaluate existing processes and controls for changes or enhancements needed

• Review changes to access and workflows needed to support changing processes and internal controls and ensure appropriate documentation is maintained for all changes

• Develop reporting to support processes and internal controls

• Support internal and external audit efforts

• Support equity operations, including maintenance of system, reporting of grants and exercises and ensuring information is provided to accounting and payroll teams timely

• Drive continuous improvement initiations and process enhancements to systems and month-end close processes, embracing digital automation

• Lead, mentor and develop accounting operations team to drive performance and professional growth

Qualifications:

• 7+ years’ experience with accounts payable and/or purchasing management and accounting, with at least 2 years in a supervisory role

• Strong knowledge U.S. GAAP and financial reporting requirements

• Proficiency in accounting software, NetSuite strongly preferred and Agiloft and/or Jaggaer e-procurement experience a plus

• Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail

• Excellent analytical, organizational, and communication skills

• Ability to manage multiple tasks and priorities in a fast-paced environment

• Sarbanes-Oxley experience required

• Pharma/biotech experience strongly preferred

• Ability to be on-site in Waltham, MA required; will require some travel to Boulder, CO location

Salary Range:

$160,000 - 190,000 USD

Target Bonus: 20%

Exact compensation will vary based on skills, experience, and location.

Our Locations

Waltham, MA: Our Boston office includes an open office layout that has recently undergone a makeover designed for collaboration and giving our employees the best work place possible. Free access is provided for both on-site parking and gym facilities in the building.

Boulder, CO: We have just moved into our new state-of-the art Research Facility in the fast-growing biopharmaceutical hub in the greater Denver/Boulder corridor. Our CEO is based full-time in this location and we are proud to call this the home of Cogent’s discovery research organization.

Our Offer To You

To attract the very best talent, we offer a generous benefits package that includes competitive pay, performance-based bonus, stock options, insurance coverage (health, dental, life, and disability), competitive time-off, a 401(k) plan, and commuter/parking benefits.

We are proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. Our goal is to have a diverse workforce. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, age, color, religion, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, veteran status or disability, or any other status protected under federal, state, or local law. All employment is decided on the basis of qualifications, merit, and business need.