Reporting to the Associate Director of Accounting, the Senior Accountant - General Ledger is a key contributor in the Finance organization and will play a key role in the monthly close process, financial reporting, and accounting operations. This position will be responsible for maintaining accurate financial records, supporting internal controls, partnering with cross-functional stakeholders, and driving process improvements across the accounting organization. The ideal candidate is a detail-oriented accounting professional with experience in a public company and/or public accounting environment, strong knowledge of U.S. GAAP, and the ability to thrive in a fast-paced and evolving organization.
This role is based in Menlo Park, California, and will move to Sunnyvale, California in Fall 2026. It offers a flexible work arrangement, with the ability to work from GRAIL's office or from home. Our current flexible work arrangement policy requires that a minimum of 60%, or 24 hours, of your total work week be on-site. Your specific schedule, determined in collaboration with your manager, will align with team and business needs and could exceed the 60% requirement for the site. At our Menlo Park campus, Tuesdays and Thursdays are the key days where we encourage on-site presence to engage in events and on-site activities.
Responsibilities:
Perform month-end, quarter-end and year-end closing duties, including preparing journal entries, variance reporting, reconciliations, and account analysis to ensure compliance with U.S. GAAP
Ensure timely and accurate completion of assigned close responsibilities in accordance with established deadlines.
Perform balance sheet and income statement fluctuation analyses and provide meaningful explanations for significant variances.
Own general accrual accounting across assigned cost centers, ensuring accuracy and timely recognition
Manage clinical trial accruals in partnership with the Clinical Operations and FP&A teams
Prepare supporting documents for internal/external auditors
Help design, implement and maintain a thorough system of accounting process, policies and controls designed to accurately and efficiently close the books
Apply a thorough understanding of GRAIL’s business to all aspects of the accounting function
Assist in maintaining regular contact and building solid working relationships with various groups to ensure a high level of customer service
Drive automation and process improvements to improve efficiencies, including leveraging AI tools to reduce manual effort
Execute and maintain internal controls over assigned accounting areas and support SOX compliance activities.
Participate in cross-functional projects and other special assignments as needed.
- These responsibilities summarize the role’s primary responsibilities and are not an exhaustive list. They may change at the company’s discretion
Required Qualifications:
5+ years of progressive accounting/finance experience, ideally a public accounting and private industry mix.
Bachelor's degree in accounting, finance, or related field.
Excellent professional written and verbal communication and interpersonal skills required.
Experience with Netsuite and/or Coupa.
Strong understanding in US GAAP Accounting.
Preferred Qualifications:
Familiarity with clinical trial accrual accounting or life sciences industry.
CPA desired.
Hands on experience with AI tools, automation, or scripting to improve accounting processes.
Able to prioritize assignments, manage interruptions, and meet deadlines in a fast paced and growth oriented environment.
Proficient in fixed asset accounting.
Advanced Excel and Google Suite of products (Sheets, Docs) is a plus
Proven analytical and project management skills.
Logical and critical thinking skills.
Proven teamwork and collaboration skills.
Physical Demands & Working Environment:
Hours and days may vary depending on operational needs.
Working with dry ice may be necessary.
Standing or sitting for long periods of time may be necessary.
May be exposed to hazardous materials, blood specimens and instruments with moving parts, heating or freezing elements, and high speed centrifugation.
Some lifting (up to 25 pounds) may be necessary
Ability to travel 10% as required
Skills Required
- 5+ years of progressive accounting/finance experience, ideally a public accounting and private industry mix
- Bachelor's degree in accounting, finance, or related field
- Excellent professional written and verbal communication and interpersonal skills
- Experience with NetSuite and/or Coupa
- Strong understanding of U.S. GAAP accounting
- Familiarity with clinical trial accrual accounting or life sciences industry
- CPA
- Hands-on experience with AI tools, automation, or scripting to improve accounting processes
- Proficient in fixed asset accounting
- Advanced Excel and Google Suite (Sheets, Docs)
- Proven analytical and project management skills
- Ability to work on-site a minimum of 60% (24 hours) per week in Menlo Park / Sunnyvale area
What the Team is Saying
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GRAIL Compensation & Benefits Highlights
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Healthcare Strength — Health coverage is described as complete across medical, dental, and vision with multiple plan options and added mental‑health and disability support. Additional provisions such as abortion travel benefits reinforce the depth of the healthcare offering.
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Equity Value & Accessibility — Equity is positioned as a meaningful part of total rewards via new‑hire grants, inducement awards, and a discounted ESPP. Compensation materials also highlight equity alongside bonuses and structured market benchmarking.
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Leave & Time Off Breadth — Policies emphasize flexible time off, paid holidays, and company breaks, with a defined parental‑leave program. International entitlements are specifically called out, indicating breadth across regions.
GRAIL Insights
What We Do
GRAIL is a healthcare company whose mission is to detect cancer early, when it can be cured. GRAIL is using the power of high-intensity sequencing, population-scale clinical studies, and state-of-the-art computer science and data science to enhance the scientific understanding of cancer biology, and to develop and commercialize pioneering products.
Why Work With Us
Everything we do is guided by our mission to detect cancer early, when it can be cured. It’s the reason we’re here, and it’s no small task. The right people make all the difference. That’s why we’re looking for those who strive to share their knowledge, contribute their skills, inspire each other and commit to something bigger than themselves.
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GRAIL Offices
Hybrid Workspace
Employees engage in a combination of remote and on-site work.
GRAIL has a variety of work types depending on the roles. Some roles are onsite like a lab role, some are fully remote like our Galleri Sales Consultant roles. Others are hybrid with 2-3 days onsite. Typically Tuesday and Thursday.
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