Senior Associate - Audit Pharmaceutical & Life Sciences

Line of Service Assurance Industry/Sector Not Applicable Specialism Assurance Management Level Senior Associate Job Description & Summary At PwC, our people in audit and assurance focus on providing independent and objective assessments of financial statements, internal controls, and other assurable information enhancing the credibility and reliability of this information with a variety of stakeholders. They evaluate compliance with regulations including assessing governance and risk management processes and related controls. In financial statement audit at PwC, you will focus on obtaining reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements as a whole are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error, and to issue an auditor’s report that includes the auditor’s opinion.

At PwC, our purpose is to build trust in society and solve important problems. As part of our Assurance team, you will support multinational pharmaceutical and healthcare clients in navigating increasingly complex financial reporting, regulatory, and audit environments. You will work with some of the industry's leading organisations, contributing to audits of multinational groups, reviewing complex accounting estimates, evaluating financial reporting processes, and supporting clients through a rapidly evolving business and regulatory landscape.

Lead and coordinate audit engagements for clients operating in the pharmaceutical, biotechnology, healthcare and consumer health sectors. Evaluate significant accounting judgments, including impairment assessments, intangible asset valuations and business combination accounting. Review management forecasts, cash flow projections and key financial assumptions supporting asset recoverability and strategic investment decisions. Analyse internal governance documentation, board and committee materials, and external market intelligence to assess financial reporting implications. Perform and review testing of internal controls over financial reporting in accordance with Swiss and international auditing standards. Support audits of multinational groups with exposure to US reporting requirements and complex regulatory environments. Collaborate directly with senior client stakeholders including Finance Directors, CFOs and business unit leaders. Coach and develop junior team members while supporting engagement planning, resource coordination and quality delivery. Contribute to the continuous enhancement of audit methodologies and industry-specific insights within the Pharma & Life Sciences sector.

Degree in Accounting, Finance, Economics or a related discipline. In progress towards, or completed, a professional accounting qualification (e.g. ACA, ACCA, CPA or equivalent). Experience auditing multinational organisations within the pharmaceutical, life sciences, healthcare or consumer industries. Strong understanding of financial reporting, accounting estimates and internal control frameworks. Experience reviewing financial models, forecasts and valuation-related assumptions. Exposure to audits of listed entities and multinational group environments. Excellent communication skills with the ability to engage confidently with senior stakeholders. Strong analytical mindset and attention to detail. Fluent in English; additional languages are an advantage.

Exposure to leading pharmaceutical and life sciences organisations in Switzerland and internationally. Opportunities to work on complex accounting and assurance matters in a highly regulated sector. Continuous professional development and support for professional qualifications. A collaborative and inclusive environment focused on innovation, learning and career growth. Flexible working arrangements and the opportunity to build an international network within the PwC global organisation. Education (if blank, degree and/or field of study not specified) Degrees/Field of Study required: Degrees/Field