Controller

CFGO; United States; On-site; USD 150,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

CFGO is seeking a Controller to lead our accounting and finance function for life sciences clients. You will drive close processes, reporting, and internal controls while maturing finance from startup to a scalable, audited entity.

The ideal candidate has 7+ years in financial management, CPA or equivalent, and deep GAAP knowledge. This role requires strong leadership, strategic partnering with executives, and effective cross-functional collaboration.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree in Accounting, Finance, or related; Master's degree preferred.
• CPA or other relevant professional certification.
• A minimum of 7 years of experience in financial management and accounting.
• Experience in Biotechnology / life sciences, startup environments, publicly traded companies (with SEC reporting).
• Advanced proficiency with financial software and systems, including Microsoft Excel, QuickBooks, and other relevant applications.

Responsibilities

• Own the P&L, close process, and management reporting to stakeholders.
• Oversee balance sheet, capital expenditures, and treasury functions.
• Ensure GAAP-compliant financial statements and internal controls.
• Coordinate external audit, tax, and reporting activity.

Skills

Leadership

Analysis

Communication

Strategic thinking

Education

Bachelor's in Accounting/Finance

Master's preferred

CPA or cert

Tools

Excel

QuickBooks

Job description

At CFGO, we specialize in fractional accounting and finance for life sciences companies, led by seasoned experts with proven success. We design right-sized, best-in-class accounting and finance functions—integrating systems, people, and processes. Our approach transforms data into clear, actionable insights, empowering rapid decision-making and driving financial strategy with confidence. We are a team of AP/payroll, Controller, Accounting, FP&A, VP Finance, and CFO professionals and we build and run high-functioning and efficient accounting/finance functions for our clients.

CFGO partners with companies backed by some of the most respected investors in the Life Sciences industry. We support a wide variety of life sciences companies at varying stages, sizes, and funding levels. We are former operators and pair proven leaders with accounting/finance operations to support and guide companies for multiple years, through multiple value inflection points.

Acting as an extension of our clients team, we seamlessly integrate into their operations, work cross-functionally alongside client teams, and deliver timely results, strategic guidance, and drive key initiatives—ensuring collaborative success and impactful results.

Responsibilities

The Controller will be a visible, motivating leader, ensuring trustworthy and compliant financial statements. They will be responsible for all accounting and financial reporting activities including optimizing close, strengthening internal controls, driving procure-to-pay processes, and managing key relationships with clients, external accounting, tax, audit, and other service providers. We are looking for a leader with strong technical expertise and good judgment, sound analysis and decision making, discretion with sensitive information, and the ability to effectively communicate. Success in the role means maturing the finance function from start-up to stand-out: preparing clients for being a publicly traded clinical stage company, while embodying integrity and serving as trusted partner to the C-Suite and executive teams. (CANDIDATES BASED WITHIN 90 MIN OF BOSTON WILL BE PRIORITIZED)

Below you can find other details on the responsibilities for our ideal candidate:

Own the P&L

• Responsible for close process and management reporting of results & operating metrics to key stakeholders.
• Compare actuals to plans and be prepared to explain why.

Own the Balance Sheet

• Manage cap table including employee equity processes.
• Oversee treasury and cash management functions.
• Partner with the business on capital expenditures and management

High Integrity Reporting

• Be the single point of accountability for ensuring complete and accurate GAAP compliant financial statements.
• Oversee & sign off on accounting technical memos & policies.
• Coordinate all external audit, tax and financial reporting activity and manage relationships with external service providers.

Functional Leadership

• Plan, direct and coordinate all operational accounting functions including procure to pay and payroll.
• Develop / update policies and procedures across all Finance functions to ensure robust and effective internal controls.
• Identify opportunities for process improvements which both ensure a strong internal control environment and drive efficiency and practical solutions.
• Manage and plan for finance team growth to scale with client portfolio growth efficiently.
• Manage external resources, vendors, systems, and service providers.
• Providing feedback, identifying areas of opportunity, responsible for hiring team members, year-end review discussions

Business Partnership

• Support executive teams in engaging the Board, including audit and compensation committees as appropriate, with trust and discretion.
• Partner to manage business risk in areas such as insurance, cybersecurity, etc
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Leadership

• Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to work effectively with stakeholders at all levels.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills and ability to drive business results.
• Works with the highest level of integrity and honesty and can be trusted with confidential information while showcasing impeccable attention to detail
• Growth mindset, with a focus on continuous process improvement
• Highly organized, with strong time management and planning skills
• Driven and conscientious Finance professional, with strong business acumen

Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree in Accounting, Finance, or related; Master's degree preferred.
• CPA or other relevant professional certification.
• A minimum of 7 years of experience in financial management and accounting
• Experience in some combination of: Biotechnology / life sciences, Startup environments, publicly traded companies (with responsibility for SEC reporting), Public accounting.
• Deep domain expertise in GAAP, accounting policy, tax, audit, and financial regulations.
• Advanced proficiency with financial software and systems, including Microsoft Excel, QuickBooks, and other relevant applications.
• Demonstrated understanding of financial statements (as reported under GAAP), month-end close processes, internal control structures, audit cycle, and account reconciliations.