Position Summary
The Director/Senior Director of Finance & Assistant Controller is a key finance leadership role responsible for overseeing accounting operations, financial reporting, internal controls, and compliance for a publicly traded commercial-stage biotechnology company. The Assistant Controller is also heavily involved in the areas of revenue accounting, inventory accounting, cost of goods sold (COGS), while ensuring compliance with U.S. GAAP and Sarbanes-Oxley (SOX) requirements. In addition to maintaining a strong control environment, the Assistant Controller drives process improvement, automation, and scalability initiatives across the Finance & Accounting organization. The Assistant Controller is expected to identify opportunities to streamline close processes, enhance reporting capabilities, strengthen controls, improve data quality, and support the company's growth through efficient and sustainable financial operations.
The Assistant Controller partners closely with Commercial, Supply Chain, Manufacturing, Clinical, FP&A, Legal, and external auditors to support the Company's growth, commercialization strategy, and operational excellence. This position will report to the Vice President, Finance, Controller, and Chief Accounting Officer.
Primary Responsibilities
- Lead monthly, quarterly, and annual close processes, ensuring accurate and timely financial reporting
- Review journal entries and related reconciliations for key areas assigned, including but not limited to Payroll, Accounts Payable, Revenue, Inventory, Cash/Investments, Stock-Based Compensation, Clinical Accruals, etc
- Ensure compliance with U.S. GAAP, and internal accounting policies
- Manage technical accounting assessments and documentation for complex transactions
- Maintain and enhance accounting policies, procedures, and controls
- Ensure compliant revenue recognition under ASC 606 for commercial product sales, distribution arrangements, and related contracts
- Partner with Commercial Operations and Market Access teams to develop and refine Gross-to-Net (GTN) estimation methodologies
- Manage inventory accounting and costing processes for commercial products and clinical inventory
- Partner with Supply Chain, Manufacturing, Quality, and Operations teams to ensure accurate inventory records and costing assumptions
- Oversee quarterly reviews and annual audits
- Maintain a strong internal control environment over financial reporting
- Assist with the implementation of new financial systems and/or system upgrades
- Drive continuous improvement initiatives to strengthen financial processes and scalability
- Lead, mentor, and develop the Finance & Accounting organization
- Create development paths for accounting staff
- Manage relationships with external auditors, consultants, and service providers
- Assist with managing the treasury function to ensure all entities have appropriate liquidity to operate
- Support product launch planning, pricing initiatives, and commercial expansion activities
- Assist with Board and Audit Committee materials related to accounting and financial reporting
- Review annual regulatory reports to comply with various federal, state, and local requirements, such as census requests, franchise tax reports, foreign corporation filings, business license renewals, etc.
- Assist with financing transactions and other special projects as needed
Competencies
- Strong knowledge of GAAP, internal control processes (SOX 404), federal and state tax laws, ERISA, DOL requirements, and payroll tax rules
- Excellent problem solving and analytical skills
- Detail-oriented
- Excellent oral and written communication skills
- Ability to cope in a changing environment
- Willingness to learn new tasks
- Highly dependable and able to handle confidential information
- Able to recognize opportunities for process improvement and provide positive attitude toward problem solving and the resulting implementation of solutions
- Self-starter with strong organizational and time management skills with ability to multi-task
- Has a positive attitude about work and providing service
- Ability to work independently or as part of a team
- Demonstrated supervisory, management, and leadership skills
- Capability to interact with different personalities from Board members to clerical staff
- Proficient in PC and software including Excel, Word, and Outlook
- Knowledge of Great Plains and Management Reporter accounting software, Equity Edge, ADP, FAS, Encore, and Active Disclosure a plus
Experience
- Bachelor’s degree in Accounting or Finance required
- CPA required
- At least 12 years of progressive experience in accounting
- Public accounting experience, with Big 4 preferred
- SEC financial reporting experience required
- Pharmaceutical or biotechnology industry experience required
EEO Statement: All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or protected veteran status.
Benefit Statement: All regular-status, full-time employees of Geron are eligible to participate in the Company’s comprehensive benefit program, pursuant to plan terms and conditions. Plan choices include medical, dental, vision, life insurance, flexible spending accounts, disability insurance, supplemental health insurance, a 401(k) retirement savings plan, and an employee stock purchase plan. Geron also provides regular-status, full-time employees with a generous time off program that includes the eligibility to accrue 160 hours of vacation during each full year of employment, 64 hours of sick leave, 9 standard paid holiday days off, and paid leave for certain life events. Geron recognizes that its employees work in many different states and therefore may be affected by different laws. It is Geron’s intention to comply with all applicable federal, state, and local laws that apply to the Company’s employees.
Salary Statement: Offered compensation is determined based on market data, internal equity, and an applicant’s relevant skills, experience, and educational background.
