Akston
This range is provided by Akston. Your actual pay will be based on your skills and experience — talk with your recruiter to learn more.
Base pay range $140,000.00/yr - $200,000.00/yr
Director Human Resources Akston Biosciences Company
Akston is a biotech company built for pets. Using our proprietary Ambifect® Fc-fusion protein platform, we develop immuno-enhancing and targeted protein treatments that aim to reduce treatment frequency while enhancing efficacy. Backed by a vertically integrated structure and state-of-the-art biologics facility, we accelerate development from discovery to commercial manufacturing – ensuring innovation reaches veterinarians and the pets we love, faster and more efficiently. Learn more at www.akston.com.
Position Summary
The Controller will oversee the company’s accounting operations with a strong emphasis on biotech/manufacturing financial processes such as cost accounting, inventory valuation, GMP-related spend tracking, and CAPEX management. This role is critical to building the financial backbone needed for ensuring accurate and compliant reporting, strengthening internal controls, preparing for potential reporting as a public company, and supporting strategic decision‑making.
The ideal candidate has deep NetSuite experience, thrives in companies undergoing rapid growth and transition, and understands how financial operations intersect with R&D, Manufacturing, Quality, Regulatory, and Supply chain.
Primary Duties Financial Reporting & Accounting Operations
Lead all day‑to‑day accounting functions including general ledger, AR/AP, payroll accounting, revenue recognition, fixed assets, cost accounting, and inventory accounting.
Own the monthly, quarterly, and year‑end close cycles with a high degree of accuracy and timeliness.
Prepare GAAP‑compliant financial statements with clear visibility into R&D, manufacturing, overhead, and COGS allocations.
Author, develop and maintain accounting policies and procedures to support the transition to a public‑company environment.
Biotech / Manufacturing Cost & Inventory Accounting
Implement and maintain policies for the financial treatment of intellectual property, including capitalization, expensing, amortization, and ongoing valuation, in accordance with GAAP and company strategy.
Implement and maintain standard costing, absorption costing, and overhead allocation models tailored to biotech manufacturing processes.
Oversee inventory valuation across raw materials, WIP, and finished goods; ensure accuracy in a GMP environment with strict documentation and traceability.
Partner with Manufacturing, Quality, and Supply Chain to maintain accurate BOMs, batch costing, production variances, and lot‑level reporting.
Support capital equipment planning, depreciation, and financial oversight of manufacturing expansions.
Internal Controls, Compliance & Audit Support
Strengthen internal controls to meet public company standards, including SOX‑aligned processes for biotech operations.
Maintain process integrity around controlled documentation, approval workflows, inventory controls, and procurement in a FDA‑ and USDA‑regulated environment.
Lead annual audits, coordinate with external auditors, and ensure complete and accurate support, particularly in areas unique to biotech (e.g. clinical trial accounting, COGS modeling, R&D capitalization, etc.).
Budgeting, Forecasting & Strategic Support
Partner with the CEO and CFO in budgeting, financial modeling, scenario planning, and long‑range strategic financial planning.
Provide insightful analysis of actuals vs. budget across departments including R&D, Manufacturing, Quality, Regulatory, Administration, Clinical, and Business Development.
Improve forecasting methodologies with a focus on commercial manufacturing costs and project‑based R&D spend.
Translate financial data into actionable recommendations for leadership.
ERP Ownership – NetSuite
Serve as the company‑wide NetSuite owner and subject‑matter expert (SME).
Lead optimization of NetSuite modules, including Inventory, Manufacturing, Fixed Assets, Procurement, and Accounting.
Build custom reports, dashboards, and automated workflows to improve accuracy, compliance, and operational efficiency.
Train and support finance and operational staff in NetSuite usage.
Cross‑Functional Collaboration
Work closely with R&D, Manufacturing, Supply Chain, QA, QC, and Regulatory to ensure financial policies and systems support scientific and operational workflows.
Partner with operational teams to evaluate production capacity, cost drivers, capital needs, and operating expense budgets.
Support procurement and vendor management with financial diligence, budgeting, and spend analysis.
Public Company Readiness & Growth Support
Build financial processes, documentation, and controls required for SEC compliance.
Support the evolution of corporate governance, financial rigor, and external reporting needed for public markets.
Lead or participate in special projects including facility expansions, new product lines, technology transfers, and cost‑optimization initiatives.
Qualifications
Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or related discipline required; CPA strongly preferred.
Deep understanding of GAAP, internal controls, and financial reporting standards.
Strong technical accounting skills, including cost accounting, inventory valuation, fixed assets, and revenue recognition.
Expertise in financial operations supporting biotech, life sciences, pharmaceutical, or manufacturing environments.
Demonstrated ability to design, document, and improve financial processes to meet public company and SOX‑aligned standards.
Advanced proficiency with NetSuite ERP and the ability to serve as a system SME across modules (Accounting, Inventory, Manufacturing, Fixed Assets, Procurement).
High level of analytical skill, financial modeling proficiency, and attention to detail.
Strong communication, leadership, and cross‑functional collaboration skills with the ability to partner effectively with scientific, operational, and executive teams.
Ability to thrive in a fast‑paced, evolving environment and build structure in a scaling organization.
Experience
7+ years of progressive accounting experience, with at least 3 years in a biotech, pharmaceutical, life sciences, or manufacturing setting.
Direct experience overseeing or leading month‑end close, financial statement preparation, and audit processes.
Hands‑on experience managing cost accounting, including standard costing, overhead allocation, BOM accuracy, batch costing, and manufacturing variances.
Experience supporting regulated manufacturing operations, production finance, and inventory controls across raw materials, WIP, and finished goods.
Prior involvement with external audits, internal controls development, and readiness for public company compliance (SOX, SEC reporting support, or IPO‑preparation preferred).
Demonstrated success optimizing ERP systems, particularly NetSuite, including configuration, reporting, and workflow automation.
Collaboration with multiple departments teams to support financial transparency and operational decision‑making.
Experience supporting capital planning, facility expansions, or manufacturing scale‑up initiatives is a strong plus.
Experience with a company preparing to undergo an IPO or an “emerging growth” category public company is highly desirable.
Compensation Pay Range $140,000.00 - $200,000.00 plus eligibility for company benefit plans.
Other This is an on‑site, non‑remote position. Must live within commuting distance of Beverly, MA.
Contact Candidates should send CV and cover letter to
careers@akstonbio.com
Seniority level Mid‑Senior level
Employment type Full‑time
Job function Finance
Biotechnology
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Base pay range $140,000.00/yr - $200,000.00/yr
Director Human Resources Akston Biosciences Company
Akston is a biotech company built for pets. Using our proprietary Ambifect® Fc-fusion protein platform, we develop immuno-enhancing and targeted protein treatments that aim to reduce treatment frequency while enhancing efficacy. Backed by a vertically integrated structure and state-of-the-art biologics facility, we accelerate development from discovery to commercial manufacturing – ensuring innovation reaches veterinarians and the pets we love, faster and more efficiently. Learn more at www.akston.com.
Position Summary
The Controller will oversee the company’s accounting operations with a strong emphasis on biotech/manufacturing financial processes such as cost accounting, inventory valuation, GMP-related spend tracking, and CAPEX management. This role is critical to building the financial backbone needed for ensuring accurate and compliant reporting, strengthening internal controls, preparing for potential reporting as a public company, and supporting strategic decision‑making.
The ideal candidate has deep NetSuite experience, thrives in companies undergoing rapid growth and transition, and understands how financial operations intersect with R&D, Manufacturing, Quality, Regulatory, and Supply chain.
Primary Duties Financial Reporting & Accounting Operations
Lead all day‑to‑day accounting functions including general ledger, AR/AP, payroll accounting, revenue recognition, fixed assets, cost accounting, and inventory accounting.
Own the monthly, quarterly, and year‑end close cycles with a high degree of accuracy and timeliness.
Prepare GAAP‑compliant financial statements with clear visibility into R&D, manufacturing, overhead, and COGS allocations.
Author, develop and maintain accounting policies and procedures to support the transition to a public‑company environment.
Biotech / Manufacturing Cost & Inventory Accounting
Implement and maintain policies for the financial treatment of intellectual property, including capitalization, expensing, amortization, and ongoing valuation, in accordance with GAAP and company strategy.
Implement and maintain standard costing, absorption costing, and overhead allocation models tailored to biotech manufacturing processes.
Oversee inventory valuation across raw materials, WIP, and finished goods; ensure accuracy in a GMP environment with strict documentation and traceability.
Partner with Manufacturing, Quality, and Supply Chain to maintain accurate BOMs, batch costing, production variances, and lot‑level reporting.
Support capital equipment planning, depreciation, and financial oversight of manufacturing expansions.
Internal Controls, Compliance & Audit Support
Strengthen internal controls to meet public company standards, including SOX‑aligned processes for biotech operations.
Maintain process integrity around controlled documentation, approval workflows, inventory controls, and procurement in a FDA‑ and USDA‑regulated environment.
Lead annual audits, coordinate with external auditors, and ensure complete and accurate support, particularly in areas unique to biotech (e.g. clinical trial accounting, COGS modeling, R&D capitalization, etc.).
Budgeting, Forecasting & Strategic Support
Partner with the CEO and CFO in budgeting, financial modeling, scenario planning, and long‑range strategic financial planning.
Provide insightful analysis of actuals vs. budget across departments including R&D, Manufacturing, Quality, Regulatory, Administration, Clinical, and Business Development.
Improve forecasting methodologies with a focus on commercial manufacturing costs and project‑based R&D spend.
Translate financial data into actionable recommendations for leadership.
ERP Ownership – NetSuite
Serve as the company‑wide NetSuite owner and subject‑matter expert (SME).
Lead optimization of NetSuite modules, including Inventory, Manufacturing, Fixed Assets, Procurement, and Accounting.
Build custom reports, dashboards, and automated workflows to improve accuracy, compliance, and operational efficiency.
Train and support finance and operational staff in NetSuite usage.
Cross‑Functional Collaboration
Work closely with R&D, Manufacturing, Supply Chain, QA, QC, and Regulatory to ensure financial policies and systems support scientific and operational workflows.
Partner with operational teams to evaluate production capacity, cost drivers, capital needs, and operating expense budgets.
Support procurement and vendor management with financial diligence, budgeting, and spend analysis.
Public Company Readiness & Growth Support
Build financial processes, documentation, and controls required for SEC compliance.
Support the evolution of corporate governance, financial rigor, and external reporting needed for public markets.
Lead or participate in special projects including facility expansions, new product lines, technology transfers, and cost‑optimization initiatives.
Qualifications
Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or related discipline required; CPA strongly preferred.
Deep understanding of GAAP, internal controls, and financial reporting standards.
Strong technical accounting skills, including cost accounting, inventory valuation, fixed assets, and revenue recognition.
Expertise in financial operations supporting biotech, life sciences, pharmaceutical, or manufacturing environments.
Demonstrated ability to design, document, and improve financial processes to meet public company and SOX‑aligned standards.
Advanced proficiency with NetSuite ERP and the ability to serve as a system SME across modules (Accounting, Inventory, Manufacturing, Fixed Assets, Procurement).
High level of analytical skill, financial modeling proficiency, and attention to detail.
Strong communication, leadership, and cross‑functional collaboration skills with the ability to partner effectively with scientific, operational, and executive teams.
Ability to thrive in a fast‑paced, evolving environment and build structure in a scaling organization.
Experience
7+ years of progressive accounting experience, with at least 3 years in a biotech, pharmaceutical, life sciences, or manufacturing setting.
Direct experience overseeing or leading month‑end close, financial statement preparation, and audit processes.
Hands‑on experience managing cost accounting, including standard costing, overhead allocation, BOM accuracy, batch costing, and manufacturing variances.
Experience supporting regulated manufacturing operations, production finance, and inventory controls across raw materials, WIP, and finished goods.
Prior involvement with external audits, internal controls development, and readiness for public company compliance (SOX, SEC reporting support, or IPO‑preparation preferred).
Demonstrated success optimizing ERP systems, particularly NetSuite, including configuration, reporting, and workflow automation.
Collaboration with multiple departments teams to support financial transparency and operational decision‑making.
Experience supporting capital planning, facility expansions, or manufacturing scale‑up initiatives is a strong plus.
Experience with a company preparing to undergo an IPO or an “emerging growth” category public company is highly desirable.
Compensation Pay Range $140,000.00 - $200,000.00 plus eligibility for company benefit plans.
Other This is an on‑site, non‑remote position. Must live within commuting distance of Beverly, MA.
Contact Candidates should send CV and cover letter to
careers@akstonbio.com
Seniority level Mid‑Senior level
Employment type Full‑time
Job function Finance
Biotechnology
#J-18808-Ljbffr