Controller

At Pattern Bioscience, we’re tackling antibiotic resistance, one of the biggest public health challenges of our time.  Our technology rapidly identifies bacterial infections and predicts the most effective antibiotics to treat the infection. We’re building direct-from-specimen phenotypic rapid ID/AST assays using live cells on our proprietary instrument and consumable platform.

We are seeking an experienced and entrepreneurial Controller comfortable in the startup environment to lead our accounting operations and continue scaling the financial infrastructure needed to support our growth. You will partner closely with various department leaders to enable efficient operations and inform strategic decision-making. You will manage and streamline our accounting processes and ensure the accuracy and integrity of our financial records, reporting directly to senior leadership. In this position, you will initially take a hands-on approach to core accounting functions, with the responsibility to build and manage an accounting team as the company grows. This role is for you if you enjoy building processes, have a strong understanding of the application of finance and accounting principles in a startup, biotech environment, and are passionate about helping startups grow. 

How You Will Contribute

• Lead all aspects of the company’s accounting operations, including general ledger management, payroll, AP and AR, monthly close, tax filings, etc.
• Support department leaders and management teams in understanding costs, budgets, and financial performance
• Present financial data and analysis in clear and compelling ways to provide financial insights and drive operational excellence
• Manage the monthly close process, ensuring timely and accurate financial statements and internal reports
• Implement and maintain robust internal controls and financial systems to ensure accuracy and compliance with US GAAP and other regulations
• Oversee the preparation of consolidated financial reports as required by senior leadership, the Board, investors, or other third parties
• Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local tax regulations and reporting requirements and identify potential tax-saving opportunities
• Guide the budgeting process
• Manage relationships with external auditors and enable a smooth audit process, ensuring all regulatory requirements are met
• Assist in managing project accounting for government contracts and clinical trials
• Support the management of cash flow and financial forecasting

We'd Love to Hear from You if You

• Design, streamline, and communicate processes effectively
• Execute tactically with strong attention to detail while maintaining a strategic big picture vision
• Identify ways to remove operational friction and inefficiency, digging into problems and finding creative and compliant solutions
• Are flexible, adaptable, and comfortable moving through uncertainty to recommend and make decisions
• Thrive in low-infrastructure, fast-changing environments where you switch regularly between areas of responsibility and priorities
• Utilize strong data visualization and analytical skills to deliver insights
• Communicate in written and oral formats in such a way that educates and makes key information clear
• Lead teams effectively, either in-house or outsourced
• Foster strong cross-department relationships
• Enjoy learning and actively seek to grow

Desired Education & Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in accounting or related field, CPA preferred, with 8-10 years of progressive experience including leadership and management responsibilities and experience with startups
• Experience with cost accounting in a manufacturing environment
• Thorough knowledge of US GAAP
• Proficiency in general ledger functions and the month-end/year-end close process
• Experience with ERP management (especially NetSuite) and implementation of new ERP functionality
• Experience with project accounting and government contracts is a plus