Chief Accounting Officer - Durham, NC

About this role

Job Overview:  

The Chief Accounting Officer is a senior Finance leader responsible for Fortrea’s 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 Fortrea’s 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 10 –20%, based on business, audit, leadership, and transformation needs.  

Qualifications (Minimum 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 .  

• 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

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