Controller

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

The successful candidate shall demonstrate:

• 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 shouldsend CV and cover letter to careers@akstonbio.com

For more information, see www.akston.com.