Finance Accounting Manager

About Avery Bio

Avery is a trailblazer in developing transformative technologies to solve the world’s most pressing biological and industrial challenges. We are building the world’s first fully automated genetic engineering platform—an end-to-end system that integrates novel semiconductor-based chips to scale the synthesis, assembly, and testing of genetic components in both cell-free and cellular environments. This unified platform bridges the digital and biological realms, enabling unprecedented speed and precision in bioengineering. Our mission is to revolutionize industries—from drug discovery and precision medicine to advanced materials and sustainable agriculture—by unlocking the full potential of programmable biology.

If you're passionate about shaping the future of biotechnology and want to work at the cutting edge of science and engineering, we’d love to hear from you. Help us unlock and accelerate the engineering of life.

Finance – Accounting Manager

Avery Bio is seeking a Finance-Accounting Manager to build and scale the company’s finance and accounting infrastructure. This is a hands-on individual contributor role responsible for ensuring timely and accurate financial statements, establishing core accounting processes, and developing budgeting and forecasting capabilities. The role will also lead the implementation of financial systems, processes, and controls to support the company’s future growth.

The successful individual will have biotech experience, strong understanding of financial processes, government grants, contracts, highly motivated individual, ability to prioritize projects, and experience in implementing various financial systems.

As the Finance - Accounting Manager, you will build and scale the company’s finance and accounting processes, ensuring compliance with financial regulations.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Direct and execute financial close activities, ensuring timely and accurate journal entries and financial reporting
• Ensure enterprise‑wide compliance with internal controls, and external reporting requirements
• Build, implement, and optimize scalable financial systems, tools, and accounting workflows, including integrations and process automation
• Establish, document, and enforce financial controls and policies
• Provide financial insights, guidance, and support for operational decision‑making.
• Provide strategic financial insights to guide executive decision‑making
• Lead all accounting reconciliations, variance analyses, and documentation to maintain compliant and accurate financial records
• Manage end‑to‑end fixed asset accounting, including capitalization, depreciation, disposals, and subledger reconciliations
• Implement and manage the procurement processes and systems
• Manage equity administration, including option grants, and compliance documentation
• Perform payroll review and validation checks in partnership with HR
• Partner with department leads to ensure alignment with financial policies, budget expectations, and company‑wide financial goals.
• Support periodic physical inventory counts in coordination with Facilities
• Serve as primary liaison to external auditors
• Other duties and responsibilities as required

Qualifications and Education

• Minimum of 7 years of relevant experience, ideally within life sciences, synthetic biology, or biopharma.
• Bachelor's degree in Finance, Accounting, Economics, or a related field
• Proven experience in biotech, life sciences, preferably within a small, early-stage company
• Strong understanding of US GAAP Accounting principles and financial regulations
• Prior experience with Big 4 accounting firms and public accounting firms.
• CPA required; inactive CPA licenses will be considered.
• Hands-on experience optimizing ERP systems, including inventory modules
• Demonstrated success implementing scalable processes, systems enhancements, and automation
• Strong interpersonal and collaborative skills, with a willingness to contribute in cross-disciplinary technical environments.
• Proven ability to thrive in fast-paced, start-up environments, showing flexibility, initiative, and a growth-oriented mindset.

Working Conditions

• Under standard working conditions, this position is based in our San Diego, CA office.
• Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer.
• As a critical and essential role, the candidate must be willing and able to travel to the San Diego, CA office to report to work five days a week.
• Ability to lift up to 20 pounds occasionally.

Avery is an equal opportunity employer and values diversity. We seek to promote equal opportunity for all applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, Veteran status, or other legally protected characteristics.