Assistant Controller

Korn Ferry; Durham (NC); Presencial; USD 120 000 - 180 000; Tempo integral

Resumo da oferta

Confidential Opportunity in the Life Sciences sector seeks an experienced Assistant Controller to lead day-to-day accounting, financial reporting, internal controls, budgeting, forecasting, cash management, and overall financial operations in Research Triangle Park, North Carolina. The role reports to the CFO and demands hands-on leadership in a venture-backed environment.

The ideal candidate will have deep technical accounting expertise, public company reporting experience, and a proven ability

Qualificações

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field.
• Active CPA certification.
• Approximately 10+ years of progressive accounting and finance experience, including controllership or senior accounting leadership responsibilities.
• Strong understanding of U.S. GAAP and technical accounting principles.
• Demonstrated ownership of financial close, reporting, audits, and internal controls.
• Experience with budgeting, forecasting, cash management, and financial analysis.
• Ability to operate independently in a hands-on, fast-paced environment.
• Strong communication, analytical, and organizational skills.

Responsabilidades

• Lead monthly, quarterly, and annual financial close processes, ensuring accurate and timely financial statements.
• Oversee general ledger activities, reconciliations, accruals, and supporting financial schedules.
• Prepare and review financial statements, management reporting, and Board-level financial materials.
• Establish and maintain accounting policies in accordance with U.S. GAAP.
• Support readiness for a potential future IPO, including preparation for public company accounting and reporting requirements.
• Assume primary responsibility for SEC reporting, including Forms 10-K and 10-Q, following a public offering.
• Oversee technical accounting matters, including revenue recognition, leases, stock-based compensation, fixed assets, and other complex transactions.
• Develop, implement, and maintain effective internal controls, accounting policies, and financial procedures.
• Lead annual audits and serve as the primary contact for external auditors and financial advisors.
• Oversee applicable federal, state, and local tax compliance.
• Strengthen financial governance and support the development of public company ready controls and reporting processes.
• Ensure compliance with applicable investor, financing, and contractual reporting requirements.
• Lead annual budgeting and rolling forecasting processes.
• Partner with functional leadership to develop operating budgets and monitor financial performance.
• Prepare variance analyses and provide actionable insights into spending, operating performance, and resource allocation.
• Develop financial models to support strategic planning, operational decisions, and growth initiatives.
• Provide financial guidance to executive leadership on key business decisions.
• Oversee cash forecasting, treasury activities, banking relationships, and working capital management.
• Monitor cash utilization, liquidity, and future capital requirements.
• Support financing activities, investor diligence, and potential strategic transactions.
• Oversee accounts payable, purchasing processes, expense management, and payroll coordination.
• Evaluate and enhance accounting systems, reporting tools, and financial workflows to improve efficiency and scalability.
• Implement process improvements, automation, and standardized financial procedures.
• Manage relationships with external accounting, audit, tax, and payroll service providers.
• Build and develop the internal finance function as organizational needs evolve.
• Collaborate with cross-functional leadership across Operations, Human Resources, Legal, and other business functions.

Conhecimentos

CPA

U.S. GAAP

Financial closing

SEC reporting

Forecasting

Leadership

Cash management

Formação académica

Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field

Ferramentas

ERP systems

Descrição da oferta de emprego

Confidential Opportunity | Life Sciences / Healthcare Technology

Location: Research Triangle Park, North Carolina

Reports to: Chief Financial Officer

Position Overview

We are partnering with an innovative, privately held life sciences organization seeking an experienced Assistant Controller to lead its day-to-day accounting and financial operations.

This is a highly visible, hands‑on leadership opportunity within a growing, venture‑backed organization. Reporting directly to the CFO, the Assistant Controller will oversee accounting, financial reporting, internal controls, budgeting, forecasting, cash management, and financial operations.

The ideal candidate will bring strong technical accounting expertise, public company reporting experience, and a demonstrated ability to build scalable financial processes in a dynamic, entrepreneurial environment.

The organization is preparing for its next stage of growth, making this an opportunity to strengthen financial infrastructure, support strategic initiatives, and contribute to future capital markets readiness.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead monthly, quarterly, and annual financial close processes, ensuring accurate and timely financial statements.


• Oversee general ledger activities, reconciliations, accruals, and supporting financial schedules.


• Prepare and review financial statements, management reporting, and Board‑level financial materials.


• Establish and maintain accounting policies in accordance with U.S. GAAP.


• Support readiness for a potential future IPO, including preparation for public company accounting and reporting requirements.


• Assume primary responsibility for SEC reporting, including Forms 10-K and 10-Q, following a public offering.


• Oversee technical accounting matters, including revenue recognition, leases, stock‑based compensation, fixed assets, and other complex transactions.

Internal Controls & Compliance

• Develop, implement, and maintain effective internal controls, accounting policies, and financial procedures.


• Lead annual audits and serve as the primary contact for external auditors and financial advisors.


• Oversee applicable federal, state, and local tax compliance.


• Strengthen financial governance and support the development of public company ready controls and reporting processes.


• Ensure compliance with applicable investor, financing, and contractual reporting requirements.

Budgeting, Forecasting & FP&A

• Lead annual budgeting and rolling forecasting processes.


• Partner with functional leadership to develop operating budgets and monitor financial performance.


• Prepare variance analyses and provide actionable insights into spending, operating performance, and resource allocation.


• Develop financial models to support strategic planning, operational decisions, and growth initiatives.


• Provide financial guidance to executive leadership on key business decisions.

Cash Management & Treasury

• Oversee cash forecasting, treasury activities, banking relationships, and working capital management.


• Monitor cash utilization, liquidity, and future capital requirements.


• Support financing activities, investor diligence, and potential strategic transactions.


• Oversee accounts payable, purchasing processes, expense management, and payroll coordination.


• Evaluate and enhance accounting systems, reporting tools, and financial workflows to improve efficiency and scalability.


• Implement process improvements, automation, and standardized financial procedures.


• Manage relationships with external accounting, audit, tax, and payroll service providers.


• Build and develop the internal finance function as organizational needs evolve.


• Collaborate with cross‑functional leadership across Operations, Human Resources, Legal, and other business functions.

Candidate Qualifications

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field.


• Active CPA certification.


• Approximately 10+ years of progressive accounting and finance experience, including controllership or senior accounting leadership responsibilities.


• Strong understanding of U.S. GAAP and technical accounting principles.


• Demonstrated ownership of financial close, reporting, audits, and internal controls.


• Experience with budgeting, forecasting, cash management, and financial analysis.


• Ability to operate independently in a hands‑on, fast‑paced environment.


• Strong communication, analytical, and organizational skills.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience within biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, medical devices, healthcare technology, or another regulated industry.


• Public company accounting experience, including SEC reporting and familiarity with Forms 10-K and 10-Q.


• Experience supporting IPO readiness, financing transactions, or capital markets activities.


• Background within a venture‑backed, growth‑stage, or entrepreneurial organization.


• Experience building or scaling accounting functions and financial reporting processes.


• Familiarity with R&D accounting, development‑stage expenditures, or strategic partnership arrangements.


• Experience implementing or optimizing ERP systems and financial reporting tools.


• Demonstrated ability to lead teams and manage external financial service providers.

Ideal Candidate Profile

The successful candidate will combine technical accounting expertise with a practical, business‑oriented leadership style. This individual should be equally comfortable managing detailed accounting activities and partnering with executive leadership on broader financial strategy.

The position is particularly well suited for an experienced accounting leader who enjoys building processes, improving financial visibility, and helping an organization establish the infrastructure needed for continued growth.

This search is being conducted confidentially. Additional company information will be shared at the appropriate stage of the recruitment process.