Head of SEC / Technical Accounting
Over the coming years, biotech will fundamentally rewrite the way we live. Gene editing and cell therapy are dramatically changing how we treat cancer and other major illnesses. Biofuels and biomaterials are transforming the cars we drive, the clothes we wear, and the makeup of everyday objects. Crop science and synthetic biology are producing sustainable and ethical food. Benchling’s mission is to accelerate the research that propels us towards this reality, and magnify its impact, through modern software.
Every day, scientists around the world use Benchling’s applications, platform, & analytics in their efforts to solve humanity’s most pressing problems. For these scientists, Benchling is the central technology they use to conduct their research. Our customers include pharmaceutical giants, leading biotechs, and the world’s most renowned research institutes.
ROLE OVERVIEW
The Head of SEC Reporting and Technical Accounting will build and oversee a team with responsibilities of SOX compliance, SEC filings and complex accounting guidance. This role will report to the Corporate Controller, and be a key business partner to leadership across different functions by bringing a rigorous technical background to a fast growing R&D SaaS company.
WHAT YOU WILL WORK ON
- Identify, prioritize and execute IPO readiness tasks and timeline. Collaborate with the 3rd party consultants and internal stakeholders to own day to day project management and deliverables. Lead the SOX 404 implementation and maintenance during IPO and as a public company.
- Oversee the Company's regulatory financial reporting process, including SEC filings (10-K, 10-Q, 8-K etc.), compliance and review of the XBRL process, quarterly and annual census reporting, and other financial and governmental statutory reporting as required.
- Work with SEC in drafting responses to comment letters, pre-clearance of technical issues and clearing proxy, and proforma filing requirements as well as other disclosure requirements.
- Act as a trusted advisor on U.S. and international accounting matters resulting from international expansion, new accounting standards and related implementations, M&As, financing arrangements, complex compensation arrangements, etc. Assess the impact across different functions within the organization, as well as implement, document and communicate the guidance.
- Participate in month/quarter/year-end close activities including complex accounting calculations and entries, financial statement consolidations, intercompany reconciliations, elimination entries, transfer pricing entries, and revaluations. Support the internal and external quarterly and annual review/audit engagements.
- Actively engage with cross functional leadership to keep abreast of the business objectives, priorities and strategies to enable collaborative and supportive relationships as well as provide value added services to each other.
- Lead, coach, mentor and train the team; take an active interest in their growth and develop the next generation of leaders.
- Lead or assist on special tasks and projects as needed.
ABOUT YOU
- 8+ years of combined experience at a Big 4 firm + technical accounting and SEC reporting at a public company required
- BS/BA in Accounting or equivalent and CPA designation required
- Hands-on experience in the preparation, review and filing of SEC reports; and SOX 404 design, implementation, and monitoring required
- Experience leading an enterprise SaaS company through IPO desired
- Experience leading a global technical accounting function and helping a company set up a foreign entity desired
- Proficiency using NetSuite desired
- Proficiency in MS Office Suite with intermediate skills in Excel including VLOOKUP, if functions, pivot tables, etc. desired
- Analytical, skeptical and curious; able to identify and report relevant risks and issues to stakeholders for a timely and appropriate resolution
- Concise and effective communicator with teammates and various levels of leadership as well as external contacts
- Versatile, enjoy working in a fast-paced environment and managing multiple projects. Demonstrate strong project management skills by proactively prioritizing tasks to meet deadlines and demands
- Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail
- Resilient and reliable with strong work ethic
- Mature and professional to handle confidential data
Benchling welcomes everyone. We believe every member of our team enriches our diversity and inclusion by broadening our ways of problem-solving for future challenges. Even if you don't meet 100% of the qualifications for this job, we strongly encourage you to apply.
LEADERSHIP PRINCIPLES
- Admit mistakes and shortcomings
- Deliver results
- Disagree and commit
- Obsess over customers
- Rely on work ethic
- Show empathy
- Recruit and develop the best
- Sweat the details
- Think and communicate clearly
- Unite around the mission
PERKS AND BENEFITS
- Work with a talented yet humble team
- Competitive compensation & equity package
- Quarterly mental health days
- Weekly virtual social events, and annual company retreats
- 401k, Medical, dental, and vision insurance (US Employees Only)
- Monthly health & wellness stipend (Currently US Employees Only)
- Yearly educational stipend (Currently US Employees Only)
- To support remote work conditions, Benchling provides each employee a one-time stipend of $1,000(USD) upon commencing employment, and additional discounted employee purchase plans for home-office equipment.
In following best practices and safety protocols, all Benchling employees are expected to work remotely until we are further advised that it is safe for employees to resume work in their respective office locations.
We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity at our company. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status. We also consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records, consistent with applicable federal, state and local law, including but not limited to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance.
