Senior Director, Controller

BigHat Biosciences

. Serve as BigHat's in-house technical accounting authority; research and prepare position memos on complex transactions, new GAAP pronouncements, and company-specific accounting policy decisions, analyzing and communicating risks and benefits effectively.

Posted 9/18/2026full-timeSan Mateo • California • United StatesSenior💰 $240,000 - $301,000 per yearWebsite

Core Competencies

Role fit

Core Competencies

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Demonstrates expertise in US GAAP, technical accounting standards, and financial reporting, with a strong focus on compliance and audit readiness. Proven ability to lead financial operations, manage teams, and implement finance technology solutions in a high-growth biotech environment.

Highest-signal resume keywords

US GAAP ExpertiseActive CPA LicenseNetSuite ERP ImplementationR&D Tax Credit ManagementSOX Compliance Framework

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Applicant Tracking System Keywords

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Hard Skills

Technical AccountingFinancial ReportingAudit ReadinessCRO/CDMO Contract AccountingPayroll AdministrationEquity AccountingFinancial Statement PreparationAccrual EstimationAI Tools ImplementationProject Management

Soft Skills

Excellent Communication SkillsDetail-OrientedResults-DrivenInterpersonal SkillsAbility to Manage Competing Priorities

Tools & Technologies

NetSuiteFinance Technology ToolsProcure-to-Pay SystemsClose Management Tools

Certifications & Qualifications

Active CPA License

Industry Keywords

BiotechLife SciencesPublic Company ReportingGAAP ComplianceVenture-Backed Companies

Tech Stack

Tools & technologies

ERP

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

Serve as BigHat's in-house technical accounting authority; research and prepare position memos on complex transactions, new GAAP pronouncements, and company-specific accounting policy decisions, analyzing and communicating risks and benefits effectively.
Execute general ledger operations and lead the financial close process to ensure accurate and timely US GAAP financial statements.
Drive R&D accounting across CRO and vendor accruals, prepaids, and program-level cost tracking.
Build and deliver financial reporting packages and board-level management decks; translate financial results and key metrics into clear narratives for executive leadership and the Board.
Design, implement, and maintain a SOX compliance internal control framework for a high-growth company.
Lead audit readiness and drive clean, timely delivery of annual financial statement audits in accordance with GAAP.
Manage federal, state, and local tax compliance with external advisors; lead R&D tax credit studies and other R&D-related tax matters.
Evaluate and implement AI-enabled tools and finance technology, including procure-to-pay and close management tools.
Own payroll administration and equity accounting and plan administration under ASC 718, including stock-based compensation expense, 409A valuation support, cap table integrity, and related financial statement disclosures.
Own NetSuite ERP implementation, including processes and controls while maintaining segregation of duties.

Requirements

What you’ll need

Bachelor's or Master's in Finance, Accounting or Business preferred.
Active CPA license.
10+ years of professional experience in accounting, including 3+ years of experience in a public biotech company.
Prior Controller or Assistant Controller experience at a venture-backed biotech or life sciences company strongly preferred.
Strong command of US GAAP and technical accounting standards.
Big 4 audit experience.
Hands-on public company reporting experience; have personally prepared or reviewed Forms 10-Q and 10-K at a public company.
Experience with CRO/CDMO contract accounting and accrual estimation.
Hands-on experience with NetSuite or a comparable ERP, including comfort operating through a system migration.
Familiarity with SOX/ICFR build-out in a pre-IPO environment.
A track record of embedding AI tools to accounting and finance workflows.
Experience managing and transitioning outsourced accounting or consultant relationships in-house.
Demonstrated success in building and managing teams to achieve financial and business goals.
Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal, with the ability to convey complex information to diverse audiences.
Comfort with uncertainty and demonstrated ability to exercise sound judgment under tight timelines and independently determine appropriate action where precedent may not exist.
Detail-oriented and results-driven with bias for action and sense of urgency.
Ability to work in a fast-paced environment with high expectations and ability to effectively manage multiple competing priorities effectively.
Strong project management skills and experience managing multiple vendors and external partners.
Strong interpersonal and communication skills to influence, collaborate, resolve conflicts, and build consensus with diverse stakeholders.

Benefits

Comp & perks

Bonus
Stock options
Benefits