CONTROLLER

Sutro Biopharma, Inc.; South San Francisco (CA); On-site; USD 278,000 - 304,000; Full time

Job summary

Sutro Biopharma, Inc. is seeking a Controller in California to lead accounting operations, the financial close, and internal controls for a public biotechnology company.

Reporting to the VP of Finance, this hands-on leader will ensure reliable financial information, manage Clinical/R&D accruals with operational teams, and drive disciplined financial operations in a lean environment.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or related discipline.
• CPA required; Big Four experience preferred.
• 10+ years of progressive accounting experience in public biotech or life sciences.

Responsibilities

• Manage monthly, quarterly, and annual close, reconciliations, and management reporting per U.S. GAAP.
• Provide data and schedules for SEC and external reporting.
• Support complex or non-routine transactions with accounting data and reconciliations.
• Oversee Clinical/R&D accruals, prepayments, commitments, and program expenses.
• Partner with Clinical Ops, Technical Ops, and FP&A to establish accruals.
• Support collaboration and license accounting incl. milestone payments and cost-sharing.
• Lead SOX and internal controls; coordinate audits and SOX testing.
• Oversee GL, AP, disbursements, fixed assets, and expenses processing.
• Support tax provision and compliance with internal teams and advisors.
• Drive system improvements, automation, and data quality with IT.
• Lead accounting team, mentor staff, and cross-train; manage service providers.
• Provide insights for budgeting, forecasting, cash planning, and liquidity.
• Contribute to financings and partnerships with due diligence work.

Skills

Leadership

GAAP knowledge

Excel

Communication skills

Analytical thinking

Education

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

CPA

Big Four experience

Tools

ERP systems

Financial reporting software

Excel

Job description

CONTROLLER

Reports to: VP, Finance

Position Overview

Sutro Biopharma, Inc. is seeking a Controller to lead accounting operations, the financial close, and internal controls for a public, pre-commercial biotechnology company. Reporting to the VP, Finance, this leader will ensure reliable financial information and disciplined financial operations, with responsibility for Clinical/R&D accruals in partnership with operational teams.

This is a hands-on leadership role for a technically strong accounting professional who can navigate complex biotech transactions, manage a high-performing team, and improve processes in a lean organization. The Controller will partner across Finance and the business, balancing public-company rigor with practical, efficient execution.

Accounting Close and Reporting Support

• Own the monthly, quarterly, and annual close, reconciliations, and internal management reporting; ensure accurate and complete accounting records in accordance with U.S. GAAP.
• Provide timely, accurate accounting data, reconciliations, and supporting schedules for SEC and other external reporting.
• Provide accounting data, reconciliations, schedules, and operational support for complex or non-routine transactions, as needed.

Clinical and R&D Accounting

• Oversee the accounting components of Clinical/R&D accruals, prepayments, commitments, and program-level expenses, including review of estimates, journal entries, reconciliations, and true-ups.
• Partner with Clinical Operations, Technical Operations, and FP&A to establish supportable accruals for contract research organizations, contract manufacturers, and investigator sites using contracts, operational progress, and vendor data.
• Provide operational accounting support for collaboration and license arrangements, including gathering and reconciling data related to milestone payments and cost-sharing activities, as applicable.

Internal Controls, Audit, and Compliance

• Lead SOX and internal control activities within accounting, including risk assessment, documentation, testing, and remediation, using a COSO-based framework appropriate to the business.
• Support management assessments and external auditor attestation under SOX Section 404. Partner with IT and business process owners on access, segregation of duties, and related controls.
• Serve as the primary accounting contact for external auditors; coordinate audit and quarterly-review support for accounting operations and SOX testing. Escalate significant accounting and control matters to the VP, Finance.

Accounting Operations

• Oversee General Ledger, Accounts Payable, disbursements, fixed assets, and expense processes. Maintain effective invoice-processing, payment‑approval, and disbursement controls.
• Support income tax provision and compliance activities by providing accurate accounting records and schedules to the responsible internal teams and external advisors.

Systems and Operational Efficiency

• Lead improvements to accounting systems, integrations, and data quality in partnership with IT. Streamline close, accrual, Accounts Payable, and internal reporting workflows through automation, including appropriate AI-enabled tools with effective review and data protection controls.

Team Leadership and Business Partnership

• Lead, mentor, and develop the accounting team and manage accounting service providers. Establish clear accountability, cross‑training, and professional development opportunities.
• Partner with the VP, Finance, and FP&A to provide reliable actuals, accruals, and insights for budgeting, forecasting, cash planning, and liquidity assessments.
• Provide accounting analysis and due diligence support for financings, partnerships, and other corporate transactions. Communicate complex issues clearly and raise risks early with practical recommendations.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related discipline; CPA required; Big Four experience preferred.
• 10+ years of progressive accounting experience, including at least 3 years leading teams and significant experience within a U.S. publicly traded biotechnology or life sciences company.
• Prior hands‑on experience in an operational accounting role, including direct responsibility for leading public‑company accounting operations, the financial close, preparation of accounting analyses, audit support, and SOX compliance.
• Proficiency with ERP and accounting systems; advanced Excel skills and a track record of improving close, accrual, and internal reporting processes and data quality.
• Demonstrated success developing teams and influencing cross‑functional partners in a lean environment. Strong analytical and communication skills, sound judgment, integrity, and the confidence to challenge assumptions and uphold accounting standards.

Sutro Biopharma, Inc. encourages all colleagues to be fully vaccinated for COVID-19 prior to the first date of employment.

As an equal opportunity employer, we believe in fostering a culture that is inclusive and values diversity in background and opinions. Sutro Biopharma hires extraordinary individuals into every position in the company and is committed to the diversity of our team. Our company progresses without regard of race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, religious belief, age, disability or citizenship status. We are dedicated to creating a safe environment where our employees can grow and succeed together.

We look forward to hearing from candidates who are interested in exploring opportunities with Sutro! Our People & Culture team/hiring managers are unable to respond and do not accept solicitations from third‑party agencies.

The anticipated salary range for fully qualified candidates applying for this role at Sutro Biopharma’s California based locations will be $278,000 – $304,000 (not including bonus, equity, and benefits). The final salary offered will be dependent on several factors that include and are not limited to relevant previous experience, job responsibilities and duration of experience, the type and length of experience within the industry and education.

About Sutro Biopharma

Sutro Biopharma, Inc., is relentlessly focused on the discovery and development of precisely designed cancer therapeutics to transform what science can do for patients. Sutro’s fit‑for‑purpose technology, including cell‑free XpressCF®, provides the opportunity for broader patient benefit and an improved patient experience. Sutro is advancing a robust early‑stage pipeline of novel exatecan and dual‑payload antibody drug conjugates (ADCs), coupled with high‑value collaborations and industry partnerships, which validate its continuous product innovation. Sutro is headquartered in South San Francisco. For more information, follow Sutro on social media @Sutrobio, or visit www.sutrobio.com