Controller
About the job
About Ossium
Ossium’s mission is to improve the health, vitality, and longevity of human beings through bioengineering. We develop, manufacture, and bank cell therapy products that apply the power of stem cell science to revolutionize treatment for patients with blood, immune, and orthopedic diseases. At Ossium, we empower our employees, maintain the highest standards of operational excellence, and are a force for good.
About the Job
We are hiring a Controller to lead and strengthen Ossium’s accounting function as we scale. Reporting to our VP, Finance, you’ll lead a small team to start and own our accounting function so that our financial reporting keeps pace with our operations.
This role centers on raising the quality, speed, and reliability of our accounting operations. Responsibilities include leading the month-end close and preparing monthly flux analyses. You'll drive the annual financial statement audit under AICPA standards, managing the auditor relationship and working closely with our technical accounting team on complex areas such as revenue recognition, stock-based compensation, and new transactions. The role also involves strengthening our internal control environment, refining policies and procedures, and supporting accounting for R&D and clinical expense accruals, government grant/contract funding, and equity. Finally, you'll partner with the VP, Finance on budgeting and forecasting and prepare clear written analyses and memos for auditors, leadership, and investors.
Our ideal candidate is a hands-on leader who enjoys both rolling up their sleeves and setting direction. You’re detail-obsessed, energized by improving processes and systems, comfortable coaching a small team, and confident communicating with internal partners and external stakeholders alike.
Required Qualifications
- 10+ years of progressive accounting experience, including 3+ years in public accounting and 3+ years in a Controller/Assistant Controller role
- 3+ years of direct people management; hiring, coaching, and developing staff
- Proven track record of owning the full month-end, quarter-end, and year-end close process, including preparing financial statements and flux/variance analyses
- Experience leading financial statement audits end to end; preparing audit schedules, managing PBC requests, and serving as the primary point of contact
- Strong technical knowledge of US GAAP; the ability to research accounting issues and prepare technical memos
- Experience with inventory and cost accounting
- Hands-on experience with Netsuite and Bill.com
- Proven ability to work cross-functionally with internal teams
- Advanced Excel and analytical skills
- Excellent verbal and written communication, including the ability to explain financial results clearly to non-finance stakeholders
- This position is based in our San Francisco office; we maintain a hybrid schedule of Monday through Thursday in the office, with Friday as a remote work day
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience in a biotech, pharmaceutical, or FDA-regulated life sciences company
- Experience with cost accounting in a manufacturing, GMP, or lab-processing environment, including standard costing and inventory valuation for biological or perishable products
- Implementation of an inventory module/integration of an inventory management system with NetSuite
- Experience with clinical trial/R&D expense accruals, including CRO & CDMO arrangements
- Experience accounting for government grants or contracts
Key Responsibilities
- Lead, mentor, and develop the accounting team; set priorities/review work; help plan future growth
- Oversee all corporate accounting functions, including AP/AR, revenue, payroll accounting, fixed assets, and financial reporting
- Own the monthly, quarterly, and year-end close; prepare financial statements in accordance with US GAAP within management’s timelines
- Prepare monthly flux analyses and report on variances and trends to the VP, Finance and leadership
- Lead the annual financial statement audit, manage the auditor relationship, and coordinate with our technical accounting team on complex accounting matters
- Partner with Supply Chain and Ops to bring inventory accounting fully into NetSuite
- Design, document, and maintain internal controls to reduce financial risk and ensure the accuracy of company records
- Identify/implement improvements to accounting processes, policies, & procedures
- Work with leaders across Ossium to optimize our accounting and finance systems and scale processes that support business growth
- Manage external relationships for audit, banking, compliance, insurance, and tax
- Prepare polished written documents, such as technical memos, auditor responses, and answers to investor questions
In your first six months some projects you’ll work on include:
- Completing our 2025 financial statement audit
- Planning, kicking off, and completing our 2026 financial statement audit
- Kicking off the project to bring inventory accounting fully into NetSuite
- Getting to know the month-end close and identifying early opportunities to tighten the timeline, improve flux reporting, and strengthen controls
This position has a salary range of $195,000 - $240,000 annually. Ossium Health takes a market-based approach to pay. The successful candidate’s starting salary will be determined based on, but not limited to, job-related skills, experience, qualifications, and market conditions. This range may be modified in the future.