Controller, Accounting, Financial Compliance

About Cerus

Cerus aims to be the global leader and trusted partner of blood centers and hospitals whose technology, services, and commitment are the lifeblood of safe and accessible blood for patients around the world.

This is a hybrid opportunity based out of Concord, CA where you'll work twice a week in the office.

The Controller is the senior-most member of the accounting team and trusted partner for the CFO. Responsible for managing global corporate and operational accounting functions and related third parties, SEC financial reporting, and internal controls.

• Strong leadership presence and drive for results in a commercial, publicly traded, global organization.
• Strong knowledge of current and developing GAAP standards.
• Develop and lead corporate accounting, operational accounting, technical accounting, payables, SEC reporting ('33 Securities Act and '34 Securities Exchange Act), and international accounting teams.
• Liaison with legal, sales, operations (including customer care, sales ops, supply chain), and IT.
• Manage external auditors, valuation experts, internal audit/SOX firms, and other third-party experts.
• Oversee accounting functions and staff in overseas subsidiaries and joint ventures.
• Ensure compliance with all relevant facets of Sarbanes–Oxley, including management of a third‑party internal controls testing firm.
• Oversee government contract accounting and invoicing, working with the PMO office in charge of government projects.
• Oversee the evolution of financial accounting and reporting systems required to maintain reporting requirements.
• Prepare materials and interact with the Board of Directors' Audit Committee.
• Perform other related duties as required.

• Bachelor's or Master's degree with CPA license and more than 12 years of related experience.
• At least 3–5 years with a Big Four auditing firm.
• Experience managing accounting functions in a dynamic, global, commercial, publicly traded company.
• Strong work ethic and willingness to coordinate with global teams as needed.
• Experience with accounting for companies with operational accounting (revenue recognition, inventory valuation, costing).
• Demonstrated knowledge of GAAP.
• Demonstrated managerial capability in a growing and changing company; ability to initiate and make improvements to processes and procedures.
• Demonstrated drive for results.
• Lean Six Sigma / Kaizen experience a plus.
• Hands‑on management – ability and desire to manage, as well as perform detailed work personally.
• Demonstrated time‑management skills (schedules, timelines, task prioritization).
• Strong communication skills – written and verbal; ability to coordinate and interact with board‑level, executive management, middle management, and personnel within other departments.
• Demonstrated success in collaborating with other functional areas (e.g., research, clinical development, regulatory, sales ops).
• Working knowledge and experience with financial software required – Oracle preferred.
• Strong analytical and organizational skills.
• Strong leadership, management and mentoring skills; team oriented.
• Demonstrated accuracy and ability to focus on detail while understanding the relevance and application to the larger business.
• Flexible, ability to adapt to changing priorities.

Medical, dental, and vision coverage. Domestic partner benefits, paid maternity and paternity leave. Healthcare and dependent care flexible spending. Life and accidental death insurance. Long‑term and short‑term disability insurance. Matching 401(k) and RSUs.

EAP, legal and financial services, health club membership discounts, tuition reimbursement.

The base salary range for this position in the selected city is $252,000–$298,000 annually. Base pay is one part of the total package to compensate and recognize employees for their work.