Senior Accounting Specialist

Job Title: Senior Accounting Specialist
Location: Onsite, Irvine, California
Employment Type: Full-Time, Exempt
Reports To: Director, HR & Accounting

 About AIVITA Biomedical

AIVITA Biomedical is a fast-growing biotechnology company advancing personalized vaccines for the prevention of infectious disease and treatment of cancer. Our autologous cell therapy platform, built on cutting-edge immunology and stem cell science, is driving multiple clinical programs and innovative vaccine technologies. We operate in a dynamic, collaborative environment where every team member directly contributes to product quality, patient safety, and our mission to transform lives through science.

 The opportunity

AIVITA Biomedical is seeking a Senior Accounting Specialist to join our onsite team in Irvine, California. This is a high-visibility role for a hands-on accounting professional who wants broad ownership across day-to-day accounting operations while working closely with leadership in a growing biotech environment.

 This role is ideal for someone who is strong in execution, comfortable managing recurring deadlines, and energized by the opportunity to build consistency and reliability across core accounting processes. The position owns key execution work across accounts payable, payroll coordination through the Company's PEO, journal entries, reconciliations, and assigned monthly close activities.

 What you will do

• Own full-cycle accounts payable processing, including invoice review, coding, entry, payment coordination, and supporting documentation.
• Manage vendor onboarding and maintain accurate vendor records and AP files.
• Process and monitor payments, including payments in multiple currencies.
• Coordinate payroll inputs through the Company's PEO and prepare related payroll journal entries in NetSuite.
• Serve as a point of contact for payroll-related employee questions that require coordination with the PEO.
• Maintain general ledger accuracy through reconciliations, account analysis, and timely journal entries.
• Prepare and post recurring and ad hoc journal entries related to monthly accounting activity.
• Own assigned monthly internal accounting period close procedures.
• Reconcile credit card activity, employee expenses, and other designated accounts.
• Update GL schedules and maintain organized support for annual audit procedures.
• Support annual audit and monthly internal accounting period close procedures.
• Assist with ad hoc accounting and operational support needs as assigned.

• Interface with external auditors on an as-needed basis to prepare information requests and ensure timely completion of audit procedures.
• Contribute to process improvements that strengthen accounting accuracy, efficiency, and documentation quality.
• Work effectively with Accounting department to maintain the Company’s internal controls.
• Work effectively within current systems and remain open to adopting AI-enabled tools where appropriate and directed.

 What success looks like

• You take ownership of core accounting execution quickly and reliably.
• Accounts payable runs accurately, on time, and with strong documentation discipline.
• Payroll coordination and related entries are handled cleanly and consistently.
• Assigned close tasks are completed on schedule with minimal follow-up.
• Reconciliations, schedules, and support files remain organized and audit-ready.
• You build trust through responsiveness, attention to detail, and strong follow-through.

 What you bring

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field, or equivalent practical accounting experience.
• Strong accounting operations experience across AP, reconciliations, journal entries, and monthly close support.
• Experience coordinating payroll processing or payroll inputs, ideally in a PEO-supported environment.
• Solid understanding of general ledger structure, account reconciliations, and period-close discipline.
• Experience using a cloud-based ERP system in a hands-on accounting role
• Strong Excel and general Office365 skills.
• Excellent attention to detail, organization, and follow-through.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and recurring deadlines with limited oversight.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Willingness to work onsite in Irvine, California.
• Openness to using AI tools in work processes when directed.

Preferred experience

• Experience in biotech, life sciences, clinical-stage, or similarly regulated environments.
• Experience using NetSuite or equivalent ERP system.
• Experience with multi-currency payments.
• Experience supporting annual audit preparation.
• Experience with PEO-based payroll and benefits coordination.
• Experience working in lean or growing companies where responsibilities evolve over time.

What we offer

• High visibility and direct impact, working closely with leadership and cross-functional teams.
• Competitive compensation package commensurate with experience, plus equity participation in a pre-revenue, high-growth biotech.
• Group Anthem medical, dental, and vision coverage, with 85% of premiums paid by AIVITA.
• Company-paid basic life and AD&D insurance, plus voluntary short- and long-term disability coverage.
• 401(k) with company match up to 6% of eligible compensation.
• Flexible Unlimited Time Off (UTO) designed for responsible use, supporting work-life balance while meeting team and business needs.
• Professional development support, including conferences, courses, and internal training aligned with your role and the company’s growth.
• A highly collaborative culture and a famously well-stocked snack cabinet to keep you energized.

Why join AIVITA

At AIVITA, the accounting function is not a back-office afterthought. It is a critical part of building operational rigor, enabling growth, and supporting a company advancing meaningful science. This role offers the opportunity to make a visible impact, strengthen core processes, and grow with a team working at the intersection of biotechnology innovation and real-world execution.