Controller

TAPPS; Boston (MA); On-site; USD 180,000 - 280,000; Full time

Job summary

TAPPS, a stealth-mode startup backed by venture funding, seeks a Controller with the discipline to build finance from the ground up in a hybrid Boston setting.

You will own accounting operations, close processes, and external finance relationships while partnering with leadership to drive operational discipline and scalable controls.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in accounting/finance required; CPA preferred.
• 7+ years of progressive accounting/financial management experience.
• Experience in biotech, life sciences, or startup environments preferred.

Responsibilities

• Own monthly, quarterly, and annual close with GAAP-compliant reporting.
• Lead FP&A, variance analysis, and management reporting for leadership.
• Oversee balance sheet integrity, cash management, and cap table support.
• Coordinate external audit, tax, and regulatory activities.
• Develop and strengthen internal controls and accounting policies.

Skills

GAAP Reporting

Month-end Close

Cash Management

Technical Accounting

Financial Planning

Internal Controls

Cross-functional Partnering

Education

Bachelor's in Accounting/Finance

CPA

Tools

Excel

QuickBooks

ERP systems

Job description

Controller, Stealth-Mode Startup (Hybrid - Boston, MA)

TAPPS is conducting a search on behalf of a stealth-mode startup that is building the future of cancer survivorship.

Company

Our client is a venture-backed, stealth-mode oncology platform developing next-generation survivorship infrastructure that modernizes and scales long-term cancer follow-up care. We integrate evidence-based clinical frameworks, technology-enabled workflows, and diagnostics into accessible, high-quality survivorship models.

Position Summary

As the first dedicated finance resource, you will play a central role in building the company's financial infrastructure from the ground up. You will own dedicated workstreams around finance systems, controlling, and business planning — working closely with the leadership team. This is a unique opportunity to shape core financial processes at an early stage and grow with the company.

The Controller will work cross-functionally across the organization and with external partners to deliver timely reporting, sound financial guidance, and operational discipline. The ideal candidate combines strong technical accounting depth with practical judgment, high integrity, and the ability to operate effectively in a fast-moving startup setting. The Controller will own the company’s accounting operations, financial reporting, close process, controls environment, and key external finance relationships. This role is designed for a director-level finance leader who can both execute in a lean environment and build the processes, policies, and team needed to scale. This is an opportunity for a finance professional who is energized by creating structure, driving continuous improvement, and serving as a visible business partner to the C‑suite, Board, and functional leaders. Candidates located within 60 minutes of Boston will be prioritized.

Key Responsibilities

Financial Reporting and Close

• Own the monthly, quarterly, and annual close processes, ensuring accurate, timely, and GAAP-compliant financial reporting.
• Prepare management reporting packages, operating metrics, and financial analyses for executive leadership and other key stakeholders.
• Analyze actual results against plan, identify key drivers of variance, and clearly communicate business performance.
• Serve as the single point of accountability for the completeness and accuracy of the company’s financial statements.
• Oversee the development, documentation, and review of accounting policies, technical accounting memos, and reporting practices.

P&L and Operating Performance

• Lead reporting and analysis related to the company’s profit and loss statement, including spend trends, departmental performance, and operating metrics.
• Partner with leadership to improve financial visibility, support decision-making, and enhance forecasting inputs.
• Ensure reporting outputs are decision-useful, well controlled, and aligned with the needs of a growing life sciences organization.

Balance Sheet, Cash, and Capital Management

• Own balance sheet integrity, including reconciliations, account reviews, and controls over significant estimates and judgments.
• Oversee treasury operations and cash management activities, including liquidity tracking and cash forecasting support.
• Manage the company’s cap table and support employee equity-related processes in partnership with legal, HR, and external advisors.
• Partner with the business to support capital expenditure planning, tracking, and governance.

Audit, Tax, and Compliance

• Coordinate all external audit, tax, and financial reporting activities.
• Manage relationships with external accounting firms, auditors, tax advisors, and other finance-related service providers.
• Ensure compliance with GAAP and readiness for the expectations of a future public-company environment, including strong documentation and disciplined reporting practices.
• Support the development of a control environment that can scale with the organization and stand up to increased investor, Board, and audit scrutiny.

Process, Controls, and Systems

• Plan, direct, and coordinate operational accounting activities, including procure-to-pay, payroll, and related finance workflows.
• Develop, implement, and refine finance policies and procedures to strengthen internal controls and improve operational consistency.
• Identify process improvement opportunities that enhance efficiency while maintaining a strong control environment.
• Evaluate, manage, and optimize finance systems, tools, vendors, and external resources.
• Support and improve workflows involving purchasing and purchase order systems, including Prendio or similar platforms.

Team Leadership and Business Partnership

• Help build and scale the finance function to support company growth, evolving reporting requirements, and increased organizational complexity.
• Provide leadership, coaching, and performance feedback to team members; participate in hiring, development planning, and year-end review processes.
• Support executive leadership and the Board, including audit and compensation committee interactions, with professionalism, discretion, and sound judgment.
• Partner cross-functionally to help manage broader business risk, including areas such as insurance, cybersecurity, and operational compliance.
• Perform other duties as needed in support of the company’s growth and strategic priorities.

Ideal Candidate Profile

The successful candidate is a proactive, hands-on finance leader who thrives in a startup environment and knows how to balance detail with perspective. They bring strong technical accounting knowledge, excellent judgment, and the credibility to serve as a trusted advisor to senior leadership.

They are equally comfortable rolling up their sleeves to solve day-to-day operational issues and designing the processes, controls, and team structure required for long-term scale.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in accounting, Finance, or a related field required; Master’s degree preferred.
• CPA or other relevant professional certification required.
• 7+ years of progressive accounting and financial management experience, with experience appropriate for a director-level leadership role.
• Experience in a combination of biotechnology or life sciences, venture-backed or startup environments, publicly traded companies, and/or public accounting strongly preferred.
• Demonstrated experience with GAAP, accounting policy, audit coordination, tax matters, financial controls, and external reporting.
• Strong understanding of financial statements, month-end close, account reconciliations, internal controls, and audit processes.
• Experience supporting SEC reporting or operating in an environment preparing for public-company readiness is highly desirable.
• Advanced proficiency with Microsoft Excel, QuickBooks, and other financial systems and reporting tools.
• Experience with purchase order and procurement systems required.
• High integrity and sound judgment, with the ability to handle confidential information with discretion.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with a practical and business-oriented mindset.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to work effectively across all levels of the organization.
• Highly organized, with strong planning, prioritization, and time management skills.
• Growth mindset and commitment to continuous improvement.
• Motivating leadership style with the ability to create trust, accountability, and follow-through.

Why This Role

This role offers the opportunity to shape the finance foundation of an emerging biotech company at a pivotal stage of growth. The Controller will play a central role in building a best-in-class finance function, supporting strategic decision-making, and helping position BiosLife for its next phase of scale and corporate maturity.