Senior Director, Controller

Avalo Therapeutics•Chesterbrook, PA

About The Position

At Avalo (ahh-vah'-low), we are 100% focused on developing treatments for immune-mediated inflammatory diseases with large unmet needs that affect millions worldwide. Our strategy is to develop medicines that target the IL-1β pathway, which is a central driver of the inflammatory process. We share a commitment to teamwork, passion for science, and dedication to patients suffering from acute and chronic inflammatory disorders. Our collective expertise in discovery, development, and regulatory approvals is evidenced in our strong individual track records of advancing multiple therapeutic programs to successful commercialization. Position Summary: The Sr. Director, Controller will lead Avalo Therapeutics' accounting operations, with primary responsibility for overseeing the company’s monthly, quarterly and annual close process, including leading research and development accounting, general ledger accounting, &A accounting, and other corporate accounting functions. Reporting to the VP of Finance, this individual will oversee the Accounting Director and broader GL accounting team while ensuring accurate and timely financial reporting, effective internal controls, and scalable accounting processes that support the Company's growth. This is a highly collaborative, hands-on leadership role requiring expertise in biotech R&D accounting, particularly clinical development and CMC accounting, as well as corporate accounting operations in a public company environment. The individual will play a key role in managing close activities, management reporting, audit readiness, SOX compliance and ongoing process improvements while overseeing the day-to-day accounting operations that support the Company's continued growth.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in Accounting or Finance; CPA required.
7-10 of progressive accounting experience, including public biotechnology or life sciences.
Strong background in R&D accounting, including CROs, clinical trials, CMC/manufacturing, and complex vendor contracts.
Extensive experience leading general ledger accounting and the monthly financial close.
Strong ERP and financial systems experience, with the ability to leverage technology to improve accounting processes, data integrity, reporting, and scalability.
Experience implementing CRO accrual or close automation software preferred.
Strong knowledge of U.S. GAAP and accounting for biotechnology or life science companies.
Experience implementing and improving accounting processes, internal controls, and operational workflows.
Experience leading external audits and SOX readiness.
Excellent collaboration skills with Finance, FP&A, Clinical Operations, R&D Team, and external vendors.
Demonstrated success leading and developing accounting teams in a growing organization.
Advanced Microsoft Excel skills, including complex formulas, pivot tables, and data analysis.
Demonstrated ability to operate effectively in a lean, high-growth public company environment.
Ability to anticipate accounting and operational issues, assess implications, determine impact and develop and implement an appropriate action plan.
Demonstrated ability to lead a team to drive high-quality outcomes with strong accountability and follow-through.
Ability to adapt to changing priorities and tight timelines in a fast-paced, evolving growth environment.
Experience supporting the evolution of accounting processes, systems, and internal controls in a growing organization.
Strong analytical, technical, organizational, and project management skills, with the ability to effectively manage multiple priorities and deadlines.
Strong business partnering skills, with the ability to collaborate cross functionally.

Nice To Haves

Experience implementing CRO accrual or close automation software preferred.

Responsibilities

Lead core accounting operations, including close process and general ledger functions, enabling complete, accurate and timely financial reporting.
Lead and manage the GL accounting team, including oversight of both R&D and G&A accounting functions, through direct management of the Accounting Director and broader accounting team.
Partner with the Accounting Director and FP&A Team to assess, establish, and document accounting treatment for new, complex, and material R&D, clinical, and manufacturing agreements, while enhancing supporting accounting documentation.
Review significant accounting estimates, accruals, and other judgmental transactions, including those related to CRO, CMC, clinical trial, and other significant R&D contracts, and drive improvement of supporting workbooks to ensure completeness, accuracy, and audit readiness.
Lead the G&A accounting function, ensuring accurate accounting, strong controls, and efficient processes related to operating expenses, accruals, cash, prepaids, accounts payable, and other general corporate activities.
Review journal entries, reconciliations, estimates, and accruals to ensure completeness and accuracy.
Own and continuously improve the monthly, quarterly, and annual close process.
Manage the monthly, quarterly, and annual close calendar, driving accountability for key deliverables and ensuring timely completion of close activities while improving efficiency and quality.
Lead the preparation and evolution of the monthly Close Deck, ensuring financial results are complete and accurate while driving greater transparency, consistency, and decision-useful reporting for the VP of Finance and CFO.
Oversee preparation of management reporting schedules supporting executive leadership and Board reporting.
Lead initiatives to automate and improve accounting processes, controls, and documentation.
Oversee implementation and optimization of CRO accrual software and other accounting technologies.
Partner with FP&A to maintain and enhance ERP configuration, department structures, account coding, approval workflows, and system scalability, while assessing future system and process needs to support the Company's growth.
Partner with the Financial Reporting team to provide timely, accurate, and audit-ready accounting support, schedules, and analyses necessary for external reporting, SEC filings, and related disclosures.
Partner closely with Financial Reporting team on SOX initiatives to design, document, and maintain effective internal controls.
Implement accounting policies, documentation, and control enhancements supporting SOX compliance.
Ensure accounting processes remain audit-ready and compliant with U.S. GAAP and SEC requirements.
Serve as the primary accounting contact for external auditors on operational accounting matters, proactively addressing audit inquiries, resolving accounting and control matters and facilitating efficient quarterly reviews and annual audits.
Coordinate audit requests across the accounting organization and ensure timely completion.
Support quarterly reviews and annual financial statement audits.
Maintain strong accounting documentation supporting significant estimates and judgments.
Oversee accounts payable approval processes.
Oversee, review and approve payment runs.
Provide finance review of payroll processing and related accounting activities.
Develop and mentor the GL accounting team, fostering accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement across the accounting function.
Lead and delegate accounting special projects based on organizational priorities and team capacity.
Support additional accounting and finance initiatives as the organization continues to grow.