Controller

Loyal • San Francisco, CA

5h • $220,000 - $260,000

About The Position

Loyal is a clinical-stage veterinary medicine company developing longevity drugs for dogs. Our mission is to help dogs live longer, healthier lives.
We're pioneering a new category of veterinary prescription drugs that proactively and preventatively target the underlying drivers of aging, delaying the onset of disease and preserving quality of life as dogs age. We've already made significant progress in our mission to develop the first FDA-approved drugs to extend canine lifespan: as of early 2026 we've completed two of three major FDA review sections for our lead program, LOY-002, and are targeting submission of the third and final section later this year.
Loyal is a well-funded startup with teams of scientists, veterinarians, engineers, operators, and creatives. You'll help us continue on our path of earning FDA approval for the first lifespan extension medicine for any species — and change what's possible for the dogs we love.
About the role
This is a hands-on leadership role in a lean organization, requiring both strategic judgment and direct ownership of core accounting/finance operations execution.
The Controller will:
Build and scale a disciplined accounting function appropriate for a late-stage, pre-commercial company.
Establish disciplined, audit-ready financial reporting infrastructure.
Design scalable accounting frameworks across clinical, manufacturing, and commercial operations.
Lead systems transformation and ERP implementation.
Elevate internal controls and governance appropriate for a late-stage, pre-commercial company.
Serve as a key partner to the fCFO on finance strategy, team build, and infrastructure sequencing.
You will report to the fCFO and serve as a core member of the finance leadership team.

Requirements

• 12+ years progressive accounting experience.
• Big 4 background strongly preferred.
• Experience as Controller in biotech, pharma, or regulated industry.
• Experience supporting clinical-stage and manufacturing operations.
• Experience with inventory, standard costing, and COGS.
• Experience with revenue recognition and gross-to-net complexity.
• ERP implementation leadership experience.
• Experience preparing board-quality financial materials.
• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting required.
• CPA required
• Technically rigorous in US GAAP.
• Fluent in clinical, manufacturing, and commercial accounting complexity.
• Comfortable interfacing with executive leadership and board stakeholders.
• Systems-minded and execution-oriented.
• A strong cross-functional partner.
• Disciplined, calm, and structured in high-growth environments.
• Strategic enough to help shape infrastructure decisions alongside the fCFO.

Responsibilities

• Lead monthly, quarterly, and annual close.
• Ensure full US GAAP compliance.
• Oversee GL, AP, payroll, and accounting operations.
• Drive close automation and acceleration.
• Maintain technical accounting memos and policies.
• Design and oversee accrual models.
• Design revenue recognition policies (ASC 606).
• Prepare high-quality quarterly and annual financial packages.
• Partner with FP&A to align actuals, forecasts, and narrative.
• Support preparation of board materials and Audit Committee packages.
• Provide accounting support for investor reporting requirements.
• Lead and actively participate in transition to a scalable ERP platform.
• Implement inventory, cost accounting, and revenue modules.
• Ensure systems architecture supports strong internal controls.
• Own all external audits, including annual financial statement audit and 401(k) audit.
• Serve as primary liaison to external auditors and lead Audit Committee financial discussions.
• Ensure financials are audit-ready at all times and eliminate year-end fire drills.
• Author and defend technical accounting positions and policies.
• Design and implement a SOX-lite-aligned internal control framework appropriate for a late-stage clinical and pre-commercial company.
• Formalize documentation standards, control walkthroughs, and testing protocols.
• Strengthen segregation of duties and financial governance as the organization scales.
• Establish inventory and manufacturing controls aligned with commercial readiness.
• Ensure accounting processes and documentation can withstand institutional investor and regulatory scrutiny.
• Oversee corporate tax compliance and planning.
• Manage R&D tax credits.
• Coordinate federal and state tax advisors.
• Oversee 409A valuations.
• Manage equity accounting (ASC 718) and stock-based compensation.
• Maintain cap table integrity.
• Oversee payroll accounting and multi-state compliance.
• Oversee 401(k) compliance and related audits.
• Partner with the fCFO to execute the finance infrastructure roadmap.
• Thoughtfully build the accounting team over time as the business scales.
• Transition outsourced accounting support to internal ownership over time where it makes sense.
• Develop and mentor accounting team members.
• Align closely with FP&A to ensure clean integration between accounting.

Benefits

• Full-coverage health insurance — medical, dental and vision — for you and your dependents
• $1,000 home office equipment stipend
• $1,200/year learning budget for books, courses, etc.
• $250/month wellness budget for gym, cleaners, spa, food, etc.
• All 3-day weekends are turned into 4-day weekends 🎉
• Unlimited vacation and paid holidays
• Paw-ternity leave — adopt a dog and get a day off with your new family member 🐶
• Competitive salary
• Company equity options grant for new hires

What This Job Offers

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