Controller Jobs in San Mateo, CA

Staff/Senior Accountant

Programmable Medicine is a pre-revenue, clinical-stage biotechnology company focused on discovering and developing innovative therapies for patients with serious diseases. The company operates across multiple legal entities and partners with external CROs, CMOs, and research institutions globally. Backed by leading venture capital investors, Programmable Medicine is building a scalable finance function to support rapid growth and pipeline advancement.

We are seeking a Staff/Senior Accountant to support the monthly close and ongoing general ledger activities for a venture-backed biotech company with multiple legal entities. The role is focused on preparing journal entries, performing reconciliations, and supporting close deliverables to ensure accurate and timely financial reporting.

The successful candidate will work closely with the Controller and external accounting advisors and will be responsible for executing defined accounting processes and maintaining supporting documentation. The role is hands-on and execution-focused, with exposure to multi-entity accounting and select technical accounting matters as they arise. The accountant must be able to work on site a minimum of 3 days per week.

Key Responsibilities

Core Accounting & Close

• Support monthly, quarterly, and year-end close processes
• Prepare and post journal entries, accruals, and adjustments
• Perform balance sheet and bank reconciliations
• Maintain general ledger accuracy in accordance with US GAAP

R&D and Operating Expense Accounting

• Track and analyze R&D and operating expenses across legal entities
• Support accounting for CROs, research vendors, and pre-clinical activities
• Assist with cost allocations and entity-level expense analysis

Multi-Entity & Structural Support

• Support accounting for parent and subsidiary entities
• Assist with intercompany transactions, reconciliations, and eliminations
• Help prepare consolidation schedules and entity-level reporting

Reporting, Controls & Audit Support

• Assist with internal financial statements and supporting schedules
• Support audit, tax, and compliance requests from external auditors and advisors
• Help maintain accounting documentation, policies, and procedures

Process Support

• Support established accounting processes and controls
• Assist with system and reporting improvements as directed

Qualifications

Required

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field
• 35 years of accounting experience
• Solid understanding of US GAAP and general ledger accounting
• Experience supporting month-end close and reconciliations
• Strong Excel skills and attention to detail

Preferred

• Big 4 or national public accounting firm experience
• CPA or CPA-eligible
• Experience with life sciences, biotech, or R&D-focused companies
• Exposure to venture-backed or pre-revenue environments
• Experience with multi-entity or intercompany accounting

This is a unique opportunity to join a team focused on a new class of precision medicines that selectively treat diseased cells in regions of inflammation. By making precision medicine even more precise, our nanomedicine technology has the potential to change the standard of care across ophthalmology, neurology, inflammatory diseases and neuro-oncology.

We have a comprehensive total compensation package including fully paid medical, dental, and vision benefits for you and your family. We want all of our employees to have the opportunity to become shareholders and offer new hire equity. The Company also offers participation in the annual bonus program. The salary range for this position is $90,000 - $130,000 annually. We consider various factors when determining the base compensation, including market survey data, experience, qualifications, and geographic location, which means that the actual compensation may vary.