Controller, Accounting, Financial Reporting

Controller

Final date to receive applications: 31 July 2026

Department: Finance and Accounting

Employment Type: Full Time

Location: Emeryville, CA

Reporting To: Chief of Staff

Compensation: $175,000 - $200,000 / year

The Controller is the senior accounting leader of the organization and is responsible for directing day-to-day accounting operations, including the general ledger, accounts payable, payroll, revenue, grant accounting, and financial reporting. Reporting to the Chief Financial Officer, this role is accountable for the accuracy, timeliness, and integrity of accounting records, financial statements, close processes, internal controls, and compliance reporting.

This role leads the monthly, quarterly, and annual close processes; manages preparation of financial statements and accounting reports; oversees audits and technical accounting matters; and implements disciplined accounting policies, procedures, and controls to support a growing public-private partnership in the domestic bioindustrial manufacturing ecosystem. The ideal candidate is a strong, hands-on accounting leader with experience supervising core accounting functions, developing teams, improving accounting processes, and partnering effectively with the Chief Financial Officer, Financial Planning & Analysis, Human Resources, and operational leaders.

• Lead and supervise all core accounting functions, including general ledger, accounts payable, payroll, revenue, grant accounting and compliance, and financial reporting.
• Manage the monthly, quarterly, and annual close processes, including review of journal entries, account reconciliations, account analyses, and supporting schedules to ensure accurate and timely financial statements.
• Prepare and review monthly, quarterly, and annual financial statements and accounting reports for internal and external use, ensuring compliance with organizational policies and applicable accounting standards.
• Establish, maintain, and continuously improve accounting policies, procedures, and internal controls to support compliance, accuracy, and operational efficiency.
• Ensure compliance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles, Uniform Guidance (2 CFR 200), and other applicable federal regulations related to accounting and grant administration.
• Oversee grant accounting and reporting, including tracking restricted funding, reviewing allowability of costs, supporting grant-related reporting requirements, and maintaining readiness for audit and compliance review.
• Lead, coach, and develop accounting staff across the accounting operations function, setting priorities, improving performance, and building capabilities to support a growing organization.
• Partner with the Chief Financial Officer and other stakeholders on the implementation and continuous improvement of systems, workflows, and processes affecting the accounting function, including record-to-report, order-to-cash, and procure-to-pay.
• Collaborate with the Financial Planning & Analysis Director and cross-functional stakeholders to ensure complete, accurate, and timely financial data is captured systematically to support management reporting, forecasting, external reporting, and government fund accounting.
• Lead coordination with external auditors, tax advisors, and other professional service firms supporting annual audits, tax filings, and other compliance requirements.

• 10+ years of progressive accounting experience, including leadership responsibility in a growing organization.
• Demonstrated experience directly supervising core accounting functions such as general ledger, accounts payable, payroll, revenue, grant accounting, and financial reporting.
• Strong experience managing monthly, quarterly, and annual close processes, including preparation and review of financial statements, reconciliations, and supporting analyses.
• Experience accounting for federal funding and contracts, including managing and complying with Uniform Guidance (2 CFR 200) for grants and other applicable federal requirements.
• Strong knowledge of U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles, internal controls, and audit support requirements.
• Bachelor’s degree in accounting or finance required; CPA credential and/or public accounting experience strongly preferred.
• Experience leading and developing accounting teams, with the ability to influence, prioritize, and drive accountability across multiple work streams.
• Experience partnering effectively with finance leadership, auditors, compliance stakeholders, and cross-functional business teams.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to distill complex accounting analyses into clear outputs and present effectively to management and external parties.
• Strong analytical skills, sound judgment, attention to detail, and a demonstrated commitment to continuous process improvement.
• Excellent project management skills with the ability to manage and prioritize multiple accounting…