Controller

Octant Bio; Emeryville (CA); On-site; USD 240,000 - 280,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Equity

401(k) matching

Job summary

Octant Bio, a clinical‑stage biotech focused on correcting protein misfolding, seeks a Controller to lead the accounting function and scale with growth. Reporting to the VP of Finance, you will drive GAAP compliance, close processes, and cross‑functional collaboration across the organization to build robust financial governance.

You will oversee audits, partner with tax on filings and credits, and implement systems (NetSuite, Ramp, Quartzy) to support strategic decisions.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree and an active CPA license.
• 10+ years progressive accounting experience, including Big 4 and/or public company experience.
• Biotech/pharma experience, especially in clinical‑stage companies.
• Deep knowledge of US GAAP, SEC regulations and SOX compliance.
• Exceptionally strong judgment and integrity.
• A hands‑on position with leadership responsibilities.
• Collaborative attitude and ability to work in cross‑functional teams.
• Good communication skills for explaining financial concepts to non‑finance audiences.
• Thrives in a fast paced, startup environment.
• Proven leadership in driving change and implementing initiatives broadly.

Responsibilities

• Manage day‑to‑day accounting operations and oversee outsourced accounting team.
• Lead the financial close process and prepare monthly, quarterly and annual statements.
• Ensure GAAP alignment; prepare memos; stay current on FASB pronouncements.
• Establish and update accounting policies and controls; drive process improvements.
• Oversee external audits and coordinate with auditors.
• Coordinate with tax firm on local, state, and federal filings; lead R&D tax credit studies and Sec 382 analysis.
• Collaborate with People Ops, Legal, Purchasing and IT to implement cross‑functional processes and financial systems (NetSuite, Ramp, Quartzy).
• Provide insight on accounting matters to executive team.
• Develop reporting infrastructure aligned with public company standards and SOX controls.
• Lead and mentor the accounting function to scale with company growth.

Skills

Leadership

Cross-functional collaboration

Communication

Attention to detail

Education

Bachelor's degree

CPA license

Tools

NetSuite

Ramp

Quartzy

Job description

COMPANY

Octant is a clinical-stage drug discovery company developing correctors for protein misfolding diseases. Octant’s platform, The Navigator, combines high-throughput synthetic biology, generative chemistry, and AI/ML to discover and develop therapeutics against complex cellular mechanisms in human cells.

JOB DESCRIPTION

We’re looking for a Controller who is excited by Octant’s mission to develop medicines for serious genetic diseases. This is an opportunity for someone who wants to help build an organization, who takes a hands‑on approach and is a player-coach type of leader, who engages deeply across the company (rather than staying heads down in the numbers) and who has the tenacity to thrive in a fast‑paced, evolving environment.

Reporting to the VP of Finance, you’ll lead the accounting function, ensuring a high degree of operational excellence and financial integrity, and will serve as a key business partner to leadership and to the company as a whole.

Your responsibilities will include:

• Manage day‑to‑day accounting operations and oversee our outsourced accounting team
• Lead the financial close process and prepare monthly, quarterly and annual financial statements
• Ensure that our financial statements are consistent with GAAP; prepare technical accounting memos as necessary; stay current on the latest FASB pronouncements
• Establish, manage and update our accounting policies and controls. Identify and implement improvements to business processes, systems and tools.
• Manage the external audits process and work with the auditors to ensure that they are completed timely and efficiently
• Partner with our external tax firm to ensure compliance with all local, state and federal tax requirements and filings. Drive tax related activities like R&D tax credit studies and Sec 382 analysis.
• Partner with People Ops, Legal, Purchasing and IT to implement cross‑functional processes and to administer our financial systems (including Netsuite, Ramp, Quartzy)
• Provide insight and guidance for accounting related matters (e.g., clinical trial accruals, procure to pay controls) to the broader Octant team, including the executive team
• Develop accounting processes and reporting infrastructure aligned with public company standards, and implement financial governance and SOX‑ready controls that support the organization’s long term growth and functional excellence
• Lead and mentor a high performing accounting function that can scale with the growth and maturation of the company.

THIS ROLE MIGHT BE GREAT FOR YOU IF YOU HAVE:

• A Bachelor’s Degree and an active CPA license
• 10+ years progressive accounting experience, including Big 4 and/or public company experience
• Biotech / pharma experience, especially in clinical‑stage companies
• Deep knowledge of US GAAP, SEC regulations and SOX compliance
• Exceptionally strong judgment and integrity
• A strong drive and attention to detail. This is a hands‑on position
• A collaborative attitude and the ability to work well in cross functional teams
• Good communication skills and the ability to explain financial concepts to a non‑finance audience
• The desire and ability to thrive in a fast paced, startup environment
• Excellent leadership skills with experience in driving change and implementing new initiatives broadly

Octant is located in Emeryville, California and we work onsite.

Annual base salary in the range of $240,000 to $280,000 depending on experience level. We also offer health benefits (medical, dental, vision), equity, and 401(k) matching.

Octant is an equal opportunity company that values applicants of all backgrounds. We’re committed to fostering an inclusive and supportive work environment. We value less traditional backgrounds, and may consider an equivalent combination of knowledge, skills, education, and experience to meet minimum qualifications. We know that confidence-gap and imposter syndrome can get in the way of meeting spectacular candidates.