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BigHat Biosciences is seeking a Senior Director, Controller to lead the company's accounting function and build its finance infrastructure during a critical growth phase. This is a hands-on role for someone who thrives solving complex accounting challenges, driving process improvements, and operating effectively in a fast-paced biotech environment.
You will own the full accounting function: general ledger operations, financial close and reporting, technical accounting, equity administration, tax compliance, and audit readiness. Key responsibilities include serving as the in-house technical accounting authority, researching and documenting complex GAAP positions; executing timely US GAAP financial closes; driving R&D accounting across CRO and vendor accruals with program-level cost tracking; building and delivering financial reporting packages and board-level management decks; designing and implementing a SOX compliance internal control framework scaled for high growth; managing federal, state, and local tax compliance and R&D tax credit studies; evaluating and implementing AI-enabled finance tools; owning payroll and equity accounting under ASC 718; and leading the company's NetSuite ERP implementation including processes, controls, and segregation of duties.
You will be the primary interface with external auditors and responsible for transitioning the company off QuickBooks as it scales toward a public-company operating environment.
REQUIREMENTS:
- Bachelor's or Master's in Finance, Accounting, or Business (preferred); Active CPA license
- 10+ years of professional accounting experience, including 3+ years at a public biotech company
- Prior Controller or Assistant Controller experience at a venture-backed biotech or life sciences company (strongly preferred)
- Strong command of US GAAP and technical accounting standards
- Big 4 audit experience
- Hands-on public company reporting experience; personally prepared or reviewed Forms 10-Q and 10-K
- Experience with CRO/CDMO contract accounting and accrual estimation
- Hands-on NetSuite or comparable ERP experience, including comfort with system migrations
- Familiarity with SOX/ICFR build-out in pre-IPO environments
- Track record of embedding AI tools into accounting and finance workflows
- Experience managing and transitioning outsourced accounting or consultant relationships in-house
- Demonstrated success building and managing teams
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills
- Comfort with uncertainty and sound judgment under tight timelines
- Detail-oriented, results-driven, bias for action
- Strong project management and vendor management skills
- Strong interpersonal and collaboration skills
