Back to jobs

Director, Assistant Controller

Berkeley, California, United States

Caribou Biosciences is a leading clinical-stage CRISPR genome-editing biopharmaceutical company dedicated to developing transformative therapies for patients with devastating diseases. Our next-generation genome-editing technology enables superior precision to develop cell therapies that are armored to potentially improve activity against diseases. We believe the future of cell therapy is off-the-shelf, and we are advancing our pipeline of off-the-shelf, or allogeneic, cell therapies from our CAR-T cell therapy platform as readily available treatments for patients with hematologic malignancies and autoimmune diseases.

Members of the Caribou herd open their minds to new ideas and welcome diverse perspectives. We proudly assert that teams do their best work when their members are personally engaged, their ideas are taken seriously, and their contributions are recognized. Members of the herd work from our headquarters in Berkeley, California, or remotely.

We are seeking an experienced and dynamic Assistant Controller to join our finance team. This is a key leadership role in the Finance organization that will report directly to the VP of Finance and Controller. The ideal candidate will be a hands-on Finance leader with strong operational and technical accounting expertise who thrives in a fast-paced environment with minimal supervision. The Assistant Controller will lead various accounting processes and manage a team to scale with the company's growth. The position will be responsible for all aspects of the accounting operations including, but not limited to, monthly and quarterly close activities, clinical and manufacturing accruals, internal controls, external audit management, equity, treasury and tax compliance, and policy development and implementation.

This position will be based in our Berkeley, California headquarters, with flexibility for a hybrid work arrangement for Bay Area-based candidates.

Key Responsibilities

  • Lead the preparation and review of monthly, quarterly, and annual financial statements in compliance with GAAP and SEC regulations
  • Oversee all accounting functions, including general ledger, accounts payable and expense reporting, accounts receivable, payroll, and financial reporting
  • Review and provide input to the clinical trial and manufacturing accounting accruals
  • Develop documentation of standards and procedures for the accounting and finance teams’ processes
  • Proactively researches and resolves accounting or documentation issues and discrepancies.
  • Maintain and monitor the system of internal controls and ensure their efficiency and effectiveness.
  • Ensures the effectiveness of internal controls and integrity of accounting records and resulting financial statements
  • Able to work efficiently within the Company’s finance systems and drive system improvements/enhancements to support the company’s accounting needs
  • Ensuring all accounting practices are in compliance with legal guidelines and established accounting principles
  • Create and post journal entries to the general ledger, including month-end recurring and accrual entries.
  • Supports company’s SEC filing on quarterly/annual basis (i.e. such as footnote preparation and support)
  • Provide timely and accurate reporting of all federal, state, and local tax filings (income taxes, property taxes, sales and use taxes, franchise taxes, 1099s etc.)
  • Perform analytics to explain variances for the balance sheet and income statement actual results as compared to prior periods
  • Provides cross-functional support to the Company as needs arise, including special projects, system improvements or ad-hoc financial analyses
  • Completes ad-hoc financial reporting and analysis, as well as, special projects as needed, other duties as assigned
  • Drive continuous improvement in accounting processes and systems to enhance operational efficiency
  • Mentor and develop the accounting team, fostering a culture of collaboration, professional growth, and high performance
  • Support the VP of Finance and Controller in ad hoc financial analysis, special projects, and strategic initiatives

Qualifications

  • Bachelor’s degree in accounting, Finance, or a related field; CPA certification required
  • 10+ years of relevant finance and accounting experience, including previous experience at Assistant Controller or Director level within a public biotech or life sciences company
  • Previous experience with clinical trial, research and development, and outsourced manufacturing accounting desired
  • Demonstrated ability in leading an accounting function, including recruitment, development and retention of top industry talent
  • Proven ability to analyze financial data and prepare financial reports, statements, and projections
  • Strong knowledge of U.S. GAAP and Sarbanes-Oxley
  • Ability to research and interpret accounting guidance
  • Excellent analytical skills, attention to detail, and organization
  • Excellent written, verbal and interpersonal communication skills
  • Proven track record of managing a high-performing accounting team and driving process improvements
  • Strong leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills, with the ability to effectively collaborate with cross-functional teams
  • High level of integrity, strong analytical skills, and attention to detail
  • Proficiency with financial systems and software, including Netsuite, Coupa, Concur, and ADP payroll;
  • Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, dynamic environment and adapt to changing priorities

Caribou compensation and benefits include:

  • Comprehensive compensation package, which includes competitive salary, bonus, and equity for all employees
  • Salary Range: $210,000 to $225,000 - This represents the present low and high end of the Company’s pay range for this position. Actual pay will vary based on various factors, including but not limited to location, skill, experience, and performance.
  • Generous paid vacation time, in addition to company-observed holidays and floating holidays
  • Excellent medical, dental, and vision insurance
  • 401(k) retirement savings plan, which includes matching employer contributions
  • Employee stock purchase plan (ESPP)
  • Tuition reimbursement program

The benefits and stock purchase described above are subject to the terms and conditions of any governing plans, policies, practices, agreements, or other materials or documents as in effect from time to time, including but not limited to terms and conditions regarding eligibility.

Caribou is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate based on race, color, religion, marital status, age, national origin, ancestry, physical or mental disability, medical conditions, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender (including gender identity and gender expression), sex (which includes pregnancy, childbirth, and breastfeeding), genetic information, taking or requesting statutorily protected leave, or any other basis protected by law. In addition, Caribou prohibits the harassment of any individual on any of the bases listed above or any other characteristics protected under federal, state, or local laws.

Legal authorization to work in the United States is required. In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and to complete the required employment eligibility verification form upon hire.

We do not accept unsolicited resumes or candidate submissions from staffing agencies. All agencies must have a valid written agreement with Caribou Biosciences, Inc.for service in place. Any resume or candidate submitted by a staffing agency without such an agreement in place will be considered unsolicited, and Caribou Biosciences, Inc.  will not be obligated to pay any referral or placement fee.

 #LI-Hybrid

Apply for this job

*

indicates a required field

Resume/CV*

Accepted file types: pdf, doc, docx, txt, rtf

Cover Letter

Accepted file types: pdf, doc, docx, txt, rtf

Select...

Voluntary Self-Identification

For government reporting purposes, we ask candidates to respond to the below self-identification survey. Completion of the form is entirely voluntary. Whatever your decision, it will not be considered in the hiring process or thereafter. Any information that you do provide will be recorded and maintained in a confidential file.

As set forth in Caribou Biosciences, Inc.’s Equal Employment Opportunity policy, we do not discriminate on the basis of any protected group status under any applicable law.

Select...
Select...
Race & Ethnicity Definitions

If you believe you belong to any of the categories of protected veterans listed below, please indicate by making the appropriate selection. As a government contractor subject to the Vietnam Era Veterans Readjustment Assistance Act (VEVRAA), we request this information in order to measure the effectiveness of the outreach and positive recruitment efforts we undertake pursuant to VEVRAA. Classification of protected categories is as follows:

A "disabled veteran" is one of the following: a veteran of the U.S. military, ground, naval or air service who is entitled to compensation (or who but for the receipt of military retired pay would be entitled to compensation) under laws administered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs; or a person who was discharged or released from active duty because of a service-connected disability.

A "recently separated veteran" means any veteran during the three-year period beginning on the date of such veteran's discharge or release from active duty in the U.S. military, ground, naval, or air service.

An "active duty wartime or campaign badge veteran" means a veteran who served on active duty in the U.S. military, ground, naval or air service during a war, or in a campaign or expedition for which a campaign badge has been authorized under the laws administered by the Department of Defense.

An "Armed forces service medal veteran" means a veteran who, while serving on active duty in the U.S. military, ground, naval or air service, participated in a United States military operation for which an Armed Forces service medal was awarded pursuant to Executive Order 12985.

Select...

Voluntary Self-Identification of Disability

Form CC-305
Page 1 of 1
OMB Control Number 1250-0005
Expires 04/30/2026

Why are you being asked to complete this form?

We are a federal contractor or subcontractor. The law requires us to provide equal employment opportunity to qualified people with disabilities. We have a goal of having at least 7% of our workers as people with disabilities. The law says we must measure our progress towards this goal. To do this, we must ask applicants and employees if they have a disability or have ever had one. People can become disabled, so we need to ask this question at least every five years.

Completing this form is voluntary, and we hope that you will choose to do so. Your answer is confidential. No one who makes hiring decisions will see it. Your decision to complete the form and your answer will not harm you in any way. If you want to learn more about the law or this form, visit the U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP) website at www.dol.gov/ofccp.

How do you know if you have a disability?

A disability is a condition that substantially limits one or more of your “major life activities.” If you have or have ever had such a condition, you are a person with a disability. Disabilities include, but are not limited to:

  • Alcohol or other substance use disorder (not currently using drugs illegally)
  • Autoimmune disorder, for example, lupus, fibromyalgia, rheumatoid arthritis, HIV/AIDS
  • Blind or low vision
  • Cancer (past or present)
  • Cardiovascular or heart disease
  • Celiac disease
  • Cerebral palsy
  • Deaf or serious difficulty hearing
  • Diabetes
  • Disfigurement, for example, disfigurement caused by burns, wounds, accidents, or congenital disorders
  • Epilepsy or other seizure disorder
  • Gastrointestinal disorders, for example, Crohn's Disease, irritable bowel syndrome
  • Intellectual or developmental disability
  • Mental health conditions, for example, depression, bipolar disorder, anxiety disorder, schizophrenia, PTSD
  • Missing limbs or partially missing limbs
  • Mobility impairment, benefiting from the use of a wheelchair, scooter, walker, leg brace(s) and/or other supports
  • Nervous system condition, for example, migraine headaches, Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis (MS)
  • Neurodivergence, for example, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), autism spectrum disorder, dyslexia, dyspraxia, other learning disabilities
  • Partial or complete paralysis (any cause)
  • Pulmonary or respiratory conditions, for example, tuberculosis, asthma, emphysema
  • Short stature (dwarfism)
  • Traumatic brain injury
Select...

PUBLIC BURDEN STATEMENT: According to the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 no persons are required to respond to a collection of information unless such collection displays a valid OMB control number. This survey should take about 5 minutes to complete.