Corporate Controller

Vaco by Highspring; Morrisville (NC); On-site; USD 120,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

Highspring LLC (d/b/a Vaco by Highspring) seeks a hands-on Controller to build and lead the accounting infrastructure for a growing biotechnology company in Morrisville, NC. You will own the close process, financial reporting, internal controls, and processes while partnering with external providers and business leaders.

You will strengthen the finance function, oversee technical accounting, and drive scalable systems and policies to support future growth and potential capital markets activity.

Qualifications

• CPA required.
• Big 4 or large regional public accounting experience preferred.
• Strong technical accounting and financial reporting foundation.
• Experience improving accounting processes, controls, and reporting structures.
• Experience with ERP implementations, finance transformation, IPO or transaction readiness.

Responsibilities

• Lead monthly, quarterly, and annual close processes.
• Prepare and review financial statements, reconciliations, and schedules.
• Develop and maintain internal management reporting packages.
• Support external reporting and coordination with auditors and advisors.
• Ensure GAAP-compliant, timely financial reporting.

Skills

CPA

Big 4 experience

Technical accounting

Financial reporting

Process improvement

Biotech/Life sciences

ERP implementations

IPO readiness

Job description

Reporting directly to the CFO, the Controller will play a critical role in building the accounting infrastructure of a growing biotechnology company. This individual will lead accounting operations, financial reporting, internal controls, and process development while partnering with external service providers and business leaders across the organization. The role will help strengthen the company's financial infrastructure and readiness for future strategic transactions or capital markets activity.

The Controller will own the monthly close process, support internal and external reporting requirements, and serve as the organization's primary technical accounting resource. This is an ideal opportunity for a hands-on accounting leader who enjoys building from the ground up and thrives in a fast-paced, evolving environment.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the monthly, quarterly, and annual close process
• Prepare and review financial statements, account reconciliations, and supporting schedules
• Develop and maintain internal management reporting packages
• Support external reporting requirements and coordination with auditors and advisors
• Ensure timely, accurate, and GAAP-compliant financial reporting

Technical Accounting & Compliance

• Serve as the internal resource for technical accounting matters and accounting policy development
• Support annual audits and coordinate with external auditors and advisors
• Develop and strengthen accounting policies, procedures, and internal controls
• Ensure compliance with U.S. GAAP and evolving business requirements

Systems & Process Improvement

• Lead implementation and enhancement of accounting systems and related business processes
• Drive process improvements to support growth and reporting needs
• Partner across the organization to implement scalable solutions
• Support ongoing modernization of finance and administrative systems

Finance Operations & Growth

• Partner with leadership on strategic and operational initiatives
• Support budgeting, forecasting, and financial planning activities
• Help build the foundation for a scalable finance organization
• Collaborate with internal and external stakeholders to support business objectives
• Assist in developing the future accounting function as the organization grows

Candidate Profile

• CPA required
• Big 4, or large regional, public accounting experience strongly preferred
• Strong technical accounting and financial reporting foundation
• Experience improving accounting processes, controls, and reporting structures
• Comfortable operating in a lean, hands-on environment
• Biotechnology, pharmaceutical, life sciences, or healthcare experience preferred but not required
• Self-starter who enjoys creating structure in a growing organization
• Experience with ERP implementations, finance transformation initiatives, IPO or transaction readiness, or supporting a significant growth event is required

Overview

Reporting directly to the CFO, the Controller will play a critical role in building the accounting infrastructure of a growing biotechnology company. This individual will lead accounting operations, financial reporting, internal controls, and process development while partnering with external service providers and business leaders across the organization. The role will help strengthen the company's financial infrastructure and readiness for future strategic transactions or capital markets activity.

The Controller will own the monthly close process, support internal and external reporting requirements, and serve as the organization's primary technical accounting resource. This is an ideal opportunity for a hands-on accounting leader who enjoys building from the ground up and thrives in a fast-paced, evolving environment.

Key Responsibilities

Accounting & Financial Reporting

• Lead the monthly, quarterly, and annual close process
• Prepare and review financial statements, account reconciliations, and supporting schedules
• Develop and maintain internal management reporting packages
• Support external reporting requirements and coordination with auditors and advisors
• Ensure timely, accurate, and GAAP-compliant financial reporting

Technical Accounting & Compliance

• Serve as the internal resource for technical accounting matters and accounting policy development
• Support annual audits and coordinate with external auditors and advisors
• Develop and strengthen accounting policies, procedures, and internal controls
• Ensure compliance with U.S. GAAP and evolving business requirements

Systems & Process Improvement

• Lead implementation and enhancement of accounting systems and related business processes
• Drive process improvements to support growth and reporting needs
• Partner across the organization to implement scalable solutions
• Support ongoing modernization of finance and administrative systems

Finance Operations & Growth

• Partner with leadership on strategic and operational initiatives
• Support budgeting, forecasting, and financial planning activities
• Help build the foundation for a scalable finance organization
• Collaborate with internal and external stakeholders to support business objectives
• Assist in developing the future accounting function as the organization grows

Candidate Profile

• CPA required
• Big 4, or large regional, public accounting experience strongly preferred
• Strong technical accounting and financial reporting foundation
• Experience improving accounting processes, controls, and reporting structures
• Comfortable operating in a lean, hands-on environment
• Biotechnology, pharmaceutical, life sciences, or healthcare experience preferred but not required
• Self-starter who enjoys creating structure in a growing organization
• Experience with ERP implementations, finance transformation initiatives, IPO or transaction readiness, or supporting a significant growth event is required

By submitting to this position, you are agreeing to be included in our talent pool for future hiring for similarly qualified positions.

Desired Skills and Experience

• Accounting
• Financial Reporting
• Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP)
• Technical Accounting
• Financial Accounting
• Internal Controls
• Financial Statement Preparation
• Month-End Close
• Audit
• External Audit
• Accounting Policies
• SEC Financial Reporting
• IPO
• IPO Readiness
• Mergers & Acquisitions (M&A)
• Due Diligence
• Financial Planning & Analysis (FP&A)
• Budgeting & Forecasting
• ERP Implementations
• Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP)
• Finance Transformation
• Process Improvement
• Accounting Systems
• Financial Systems
• Risk Management
• Sarbanes-Oxley Act
• SOX Compliance
• U.S. GAAP
• CPA
• Biotechnology
• Life Sciences
• Pharmaceutical Industry

Equal Opportunity Notice

Highspring LLC (d/b/a Vaco by Highspring) and its parents, affiliates, and subsidiaries ("we," "our," or "Vaco by Highspring") are committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals and does not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of race (including but not limited to traits historically associated with race such as hair texture and hair style), color, sex (includes pregnancy or related conditions), religion or creed, national origin, citizenship, age, disability, status as a veteran, union membership, ethnicity, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, marital status, political affiliation, or any other protected characteristics as required by applicable law. The company is also committed to ensuring that persons who need them are provided with reasonable accommodations; if an accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, please contact [e-mail].

Representation Notice

By submitting to this position, you agree that you will be giving Vaco by Highspring the exclusive right to present your as a candidate for the foregoing employment opportunity. Additionally, you agree to be included in our talent pool for future hiring for similarly qualified positions. You further agree that you have represented information about yourself accurately and have not affirmatively misrepresented your qualifications. Lastly, you agree to maintain as confidential, to the fullest extent permitted by law, any information you learn from Vaco by Highspring about the position and you will limit disclosure of information about the position only to the extent necessary to perform any obligations in furtherance of your application. In exchange, Vaco by Highspring agrees to exercise reasonable efforts to represent you through all solicitation, job screening and resume dispersal.

Privacy Notice

Vaco by Highspring respects your privacy and are committed to providing transparent notice of our policies.

• California residents may access Vaco by Highspring HR Notice at Collection for California Applicants and Employees here.
• Virginia residents may access our state specific policies here.
• Residents of all other states may access our policies here.
• Canadian residents may access our policies in English here and in French here.
• Residents of countries governed by GDPR and UK GDPR may access our policies here.

Additionally, submissions to this position are subject to the use of AI to perform preliminary candidate screenings, focused on ensuring minimum job requirements noted in the position are satisfied. More details about Vaco by Highspring’s use of AI can be found here (https://www.highspring.com/ai-use-notices/). Further assessment of candidates beyond this initial phase will be conducted by recruiters and hiring managers. Vaco by Highspring does not know and cannot opine on if its client's use of AI products in hiring.

Pay Transparency Notice

Determining compensation for this role (and others) at Vaco by Highspring depends upon a wide array of factors including but not limited to:

the individual's skill sets, experience and training;

licensure and certification requirements;

office location and other geographic considerations; and

other business and organizational needs.

With that said, as required by local law, Vaco by Highspring believes that the following salary range referenced above reasonably estimates the base compensation for an individual hired into this position in geographies that require salary range disclosure. The individual may also be eligible for discretionary bonuses and/or participation in medical, dental, and vision benefits as well as the company's retirement plan (or similar retirement benefits).