Assistant Controller / Controller

Forma Life Sciences•Irvine, CA

9h•$140,000 - $170,000•Onsite

About The Position

Forma Life Sciences is seeking an Assistant Controller or Controller to own and lead the company’s finance and accounting function as it scales as a next-generation contract development and manufacturing organization. This hands-on finance leadership role has broad responsibility for financial reporting, accounting operations, internal controls, cash forecasting, budgeting, audit readiness, business decision support, and developing the accounting team. The final title will depend on the candidate’s experience, technical accounting depth, leadership capability, independence, internal equity, and business needs. The role partners with the President, executive leadership, department leaders, and, as appropriate, Board members, shareholders, auditors, banks, tax advisors, and other external partners. It offers broad exposure across finance leadership, including technical accounting, reporting, cash planning, budgeting, forecasting, team leadership, executive communication, and cross-functional business partnership. The position is primarily performed in an office environment at Forma’s Irvine facility, with onsite presence required based on business needs. The expected base salary range is $140,000 to $170,000 per year. Forma offers a comprehensive benefits package, subject to plan terms and eligibility requirements.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field.
At least 6 years of progressive accounting and finance experience for Assistant Controller level, or at least 8 years for Controller level.
Experience with financial reporting, month-end close, budgeting and forecasting, cash management, accounts receivable, accounts payable, reconciliations, variance analysis, and internal controls.
Strong working knowledge of U.S. GAAP and financial reporting requirements.
Experience reviewing journal entries, reconciliations, variance analyses, financial schedules, and management reporting packages.
Experience with cost accounting, revenue recognition, lease accounting, inventory or manufacturing accounting, or pass-through billing.
Experience leading, supervising, mentoring, or functionally guiding accounting team members and managing cross-functional finance priorities.
Hands-on ERP experience, such as NetSuite or a comparable accounting system.
Strong Excel skills and proficiency with Microsoft Office tools, including PowerPoint for management reporting.
Ability to work independently, prioritize competing deadlines, exercise sound judgment, and take ownership in a fast-paced, evolving business environment.
Strong analytical, problem-solving, organizational, communication, accuracy, confidentiality, and attention-to-detail skills.

Nice To Haves

CPA, CMA, or MBA.
Big 4 public accounting or audit experience; public accounting or national or regional firm experience is also preferred.
Experience in pharmaceutical, biotech, life sciences, manufacturing, CDMO, or project-based service industries.
Experience using AI tools to develop complex, dynamic Excel-based financial models for budgeting, forecasting, financial analysis, and reporting, with the ability to validate formulas, automate processes, and ensure data accuracy.
Prior experience supervising, mentoring, or reviewing the work of accounting staff.

Responsibilities

Own and lead the finance and accounting function, including daily accounting operations, financial reporting, internal controls, cash management, budgeting, forecasting, and audit readiness.
Serve as a finance partner to the President, executive leadership team, department leaders, and relevant Board members, shareholders, auditors, banks, tax advisors, and other external partners.
Lead, develop, mentor, and provide functional direction to accounting team members; review work, build accountability, improve processes, and support employee development.
Lead monthly, quarterly, and annual close processes, including close calendars, journal entries, accruals, account reconciliations, financial statement preparation, and executive reporting.
Prepare, review, and analyze financial statements, balance sheet reconciliations, income statement variance analyses, supporting schedules, management reports, and key financial metrics.
Build and improve scalable accounting processes, workflows, documentation, approval structures, reporting cadence, and internal controls.
Partner with Operations, Supply Chain, HR, Project Management, and department leaders on budgeting, forecasting, cash planning, margin analysis, customer and project economics, and business decision support.
Prepare and present financial insights, reporting packages, cash forecasts, variance explanations, and analyses to support leadership decisions.
Oversee accounts payable, accounts receivable, cash application, credit card activity, expense reimbursements, project and customer billing, pass-through billing, and other accounting operations.
Act as a finance contact for external auditors, tax advisors, banks, insurance partners, lender and shareholder requests, and other finance-related third parties or compliance inquiries.
Support insurance renewals, business reporting requests, and finance-related due diligence or investor and shareholder requests.
Review accounting transactions for accuracy, policy compliance, appropriate approvals, and supporting documentation.
Maintain confidentiality of financial, client, vendor, employee, and company information.
Perform other finance and accounting leadership duties as assigned.

Benefits

Medical, vision, and dental coverage
Medical FSA and Dependent Care FSA options
Paid time off
Paid sick leave
Company holidays
401(k) retirement plan
Voluntary life insurance
Disability insurance
Critical illness, hospital, and accident insurance
Legal and identity protection services
Company-paid basic life and AD&D insurance
Bonus structure
Monthly company events
Other company-sponsored programs, subject to plan terms and eligibility requirements