Chief Accounting Officer Durham, NC

Job Overview:

The Chief Accounting Officer is a senior Finance leader responsible for Fortreas global accounting external reporting internal controls and compliance environment. This role leads the accounting organization including record-to-report and payroll-related accounting processes oversees external auditor relationships and annual audit activities and partners closely with the CFO and cross-functional leaders to support disciplined decision-making and scalable finance transformation. The Chief Accounting Officer provides technical accounting leadership supports strategic growth initiatives and strengthens global accounting processes through public-company reporting expertise enterprise leadership and continuous improvement. He/she further serves as the designated Principal Accounting Officer for SEC financial statement certification.

Summary of Responsibilities:

Accounting Leadership Close & Reporting

• Lead Fortreas global accounting function including corporate accounting record-to-report consolidation close management payroll-related accounting technical accounting and accounting operations.

• Oversee timely and accurate monthly quarterly and annual close processes driving a disciplined close calendar clear ownership and resolution of material accounting matters.

• 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.

• Establish maintain and interpret accounting policies ensuring compliance with US GAAP SEC requirements applicable company policies and evolving regulatory standards.

• Provide technical accounting leadership for complex transactions including revenue recognition business combinations restructuring impairments equity compensation leases debt and other significant accounting matters.

Controls Compliance & Audit Governance

• 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.

• Lead the external auditor relationship and annual audit process ensuring audit readiness quality deliverables issue resolution and transparent escalation of key matters.

• 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.

• Promote and establish a culture of accountability ethical conduct compliance and strong financial governance across the global accounting organization.

• Identify assess and escalate financial reporting control compliance and audit risks with clear recommendations and executive-level judgment.

Finance Transformation & Operational Excellence

• 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

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

• Support potential M&A integration capital structure and other strategic processes

Leadership Talent & Business Partnership

• Build lead and develop a high-performing global accounting team with clear roles succession depth technical capability and strong engagement.

• Provide enterprise-level counsel to the CFO and senior leaders on accounting implications reporting risks operational decisions and regulatory considerations.

• 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.

• Perform all other duties as needed or assigned.

Travel: This role may require occasional domestic and international travel estimated at approximately 1020% based on business audit leadership and transformation needs.

Qualifications (Minimum Required):

• Bachelors 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.

• 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 overseeing global statutory reporting local audits legal entity accounting and coordination across regional finance teams.

• 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.

Experience (Minimum Required):

• 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; clinical research pharmaceutical services healthcare technology or similarly complex environments are advantageous.

Physical 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.

• Occasional crouching stooping with frequent bending and twisting of upper body and neck.

• Ability to access and use a variety of computer software developed both in-house and off-the-shelf.

• Light to moderate lifting and carrying or moving of objects including luggage and laptop computer with a maximum lift of 15-20 lbs.

• Regular and consistent attendance.

• Varied hours may be .

Work Environment:

• Work is performed in an office environment with exposure to electrical office equipment.

• Occasional drives to site locations may be .

Application Deadline: August 14 2026