Associate Director, Assistant Controller

AVENZO THERAPEUTICS INC • San Diego, CA

9d • Onsite

About The Position

Reporting to the Executive Director, Controller, the Associate Director, Assistant Controller will play a key role in managing the company’s accounting operations and ensuring accurate, timely, and compliant financial reporting. This role partners closely with the Controller and cross-functional teams to support a fast-paced, clinical-stage biotech environment, including general accounting, accounts payable, clinical accounting, and compliance with GAAP and internal controls.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting or Finance required, or a related area degree preferred (e.g., MBA) with 8+ years of progressive accounting experience in the life sciences industry, or an equivalent combination of academic and industry experience
• Experience working for a public company
• Strong understanding of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP), Sarbanes-Oxley (SOX), and relevant regulatory requirements
• Extensive experience with monthly and quarterly close, audits, and internal controls
• Hands-on experience with accounting systems/ERPs; ADP Workforce Now, NetSuite, AP Workflow systems (e.g. Coupa, Prendio), expense management (e.g/. Concur, etc.)
• Experience scaling accounting processes with company growth and managing an accounting team
• Experience with accounting for R&D activities, clinical trials, and collaboration agreements; working directly with contract research organizations and R&D teams
• Advanced Excel skills; comfortable working with large datasets
• Strong attention to detail, organizational skills, and ability to meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively with internal and external stakeholders
• Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities, with a strategic mindset

Nice To Haves

• CPA or CPA-eligible strongly preferred
• Prior experience as an Assistant Controller or equivalent in a high-growth pre-IPO biotech company is a plus

Responsibilities

• Manage the day-to-day accounting operations of the general ledger and accounts payable function
• Lead and manage monthly, quarterly, and annual close processes, ensuring accuracy and timeliness
• Support the Controller in managing payroll-related activities and accounting systems
• Prepare and review journal entries, account reconciliations, financial statement fluctuation analysis, and leverage statistical skills for data analysis as needed
• Accountable for certain R&D related activities and providing support for clinical trial accounting as needed
• Develop and maintain accounting policies and internal controls
• Assist with external audits, tax filings, and regulatory reporting
• Identify and act on opportunities to improve accounting processes, systems, and controls; help scale processes as the company grows
• Implement and optimize accounting systems and tools (e.g., ERP, expense management, AP Workflow system)
• Manage and review the work of accounting staff, as applicable
• Participate in or lead special projects and support various accounting-related duties as needed
• Collaborate cross-functionally with R&D, Clinical, HR, and Legal teams

Benefits

• employees (and their eligible dependents) will be eligible to enroll in group healthcare plans that offer medical, dental, vision, and basic life and AD&D insurance
• short-term and long-term disability insurance, flexible spending accounts, health savings account, and voluntary insurance programs including voluntary life and AD&D accident, and critical illness
• Employees also will be able to enroll in our company’s 401(k) plan
• Employees will also receive 10 hours of paid vacation time every month, and accrue 1 hour of paid sick leave for every 30 hours worked
• Employees will also enjoy 17 paid holidays, including a winter closure, throughout the calendar year, subject to relevant terms outlined in the employee handbook
• Regular, full-time employees are eligible for up to 8 weeks of paid parental and/or medical leave

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Director