Fortrea

Fortrea

Chief Accounting Officer - Durham, NC

Durham · Exec · Contract

Sponsorship not specified$10k-$20kDetected 6 hours ago
ComplianceFinancial AnalysisAccountingM&AFP&AAuditingProcurementERPClinical TrialsClinical ResearchResearchLeadershipCommunicationCollaborationProblem SolvingPublic SpeakingGAAPSarbanes-OxleyFinancial ReportingInternal Audit

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odds of building a lasting career here

15Unrated
Cap-exempt (no lottery)0
Sponsors this role0
Entry-level history0
PERM / green-card track0
Lottery odds (Level I)39
Fits your clock70

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About the role

  • The Chief Accounting Officer is a senior Finance leader responsible for Fortrea's global accounting, external reporting, internal controls, and compliance environment.
  • He/she further serves as the designated Principal Accounting Officer for SEC financial statement certification.

Responsibilities

  • Lead Fortrea's global accounting function, including corporate accounting, record-to-report, consolidation, close management, payroll-related accounting, technical accounting, and accounting operations.
  • Lead external financial reporting processes, including SEC reporting, financial statement preparation, earnings support, and related disclosure controls in partnership with the CFO, Legal, Investor Relations, and external advisors.
  • Own the design, execution, and continuous improvement of internal control over financial reporting, including SOX compliance, control remediation, and partnership with Internal Audit and external auditors.
  • Support Audit Committee and executive leadership discussions by preparing clear, concise updates on financial reporting, technical accounting, finance policies, control status, audit progress, and critical projects.
  • Drive accounting transformation initiatives, including process standardization, automation, shared services optimization, finance systems improvements, scalable operating model design, and stronger end-to-end accounting workflows.
  • Co-manage external contractor partnerships
  • Support potential M&A, integration, capital structure and other strategic processes
  • Establish, maintain, and interpret accounting policies, ensuring compliance with US GAAP, SEC requirements, applicable company policies, and evolving regulatory standards.
  • Build, lead, and develop a high-performing global accounting team with clear roles, succession depth, technical capability, and strong engagement.
  • Collaborate with FP&A, Tax, Treasury, Investor Relations, Legal, HR, Procurement, and business unit leaders while representing Accounting in cross-functional governance forums, transformation programs, and strategic initiatives requiring financial reporting or control expertise.

Requirements

  • Ability to work in an upright and/or stationary position for 6-8 hours per day.
  • Repetitive hand movement of both hands with the ability to make fast, simple, repeated movements of the fingers, hands, and wrists to operate lab equipment.
  • Ability to access and use a variety of computer software developed both in-house and off-the-shelf.
  • Varied hours may be required.
  • Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, or a related discipline.
  • Certified Public Accountant (CPA) or equivalent professional accounting qualification required where applicable to the role and jurisdiction.
  • Comprehensive knowledge of US GAAP, SEC reporting, SOX, internal controls, financial statement preparation, external audit processes, public-company reporting obligations, and complex technical accounting matters.
  • Experience overseeing global statutory reporting, local audits, legal entity accounting, and coordination across regional finance teams.
  • Deep experience with revenue recognition in project-based, long-term contract environments, including ASC 606, legacy ASC 605 considerations, contract modifications, pass-through costs, reimbursables, and CRO-specific revenue accounting practices.
  • Experience supporting SEC filings, including Form 10-K, Form 10-Q, earnings materials, disclosure controls, and Audit Committee reporting.
  • Experience leading accounting activities related to M&A, divestitures, integrations, purchase accounting, and complex restructuring initiatives. Demonstrated ability to lead global accounting teams and external contractors, manage complex reporting deadlines, advise executive stakeholders, and operate effectively in a matrixed, global environment across Finance, Legal, Tax, Treasury, Investor Relations, HR, IT, and business leadership.
  • Strong business judgment, executive communication, enterprise leadership, problem-solving, collaboration, change leadership, and ethical decision-making skills.
  • Fortrea may consider relevant and equivalent experience and successful project outcomes in lieu of educational requirements.

Nice to have

  • 15+ years of progressive accounting, controllership, external reporting, audit, or finance leadership experience, including substantial experience in a public-company environment.
  • 10+ years experience in senior leadership ( CAO, Corporate Controller, VP Finance & Accounting, or equivalent senior finance leader ).
  • Executive-level experience leading accounting organizations, external financial reporting, SOX/control frameworks, global close processes, and audit relationships.
  • Experience presenting to or supporting Audit Committee, Board, executive leadership, external auditor, and investor-facing processes.
  • Experience leading finance transformation, process automation, shared services, ERP or finance systems initiatives, and global operating model improvements.
  • Experience in global and regulated industries preferred

Compensation

  • Oversee timely and accurate monthly, quarterly, and annual close processes, driving a disciplined close calendar, clear ownership, and resolution of material accounting matters.
  • Lead the external auditor relationship and annual audit process, ensuring audit readiness, quality deliverables, issue resolution, and transparent escalation of key matters.

Equal opportunity

  • Learn more about our EEO & Accommodations request here.

Visa & Work Authorization

  • Identify and sponsor opportunities to improve close efficiency, data quality, reporting reliability, transparency, controls, and controllership capabilities while reducing manual effort across regions
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