Sonata Therapeutics: Assistant Controller

Sonata Therapeutics is a new, Boston-based Flagship Pioneering company revolutionizing the world’s understanding of the cellular microenvironment and its importance to human biology and disease. Our product-platform creates drugs based on a systematic, comprehensive characterization of the microenvironment in diseases with high unmet medical need. Through our pioneering science, we identify new targets for therapeutics that induce the release of a programmed diversity of signals with the potential for significant patient impact. Our employees are exceptionally passionate, accountable, collaborative, and innovative.

Sonata Therapeutics was founded by Flagship Pioneering, an organization dedicated to the origination and development of first-in-category life sciences companies.  Since 2000, Flagship has originated and fostered the development of nearly 100 scientific ventures resulting in $20+ billion in aggregate value, 500+ issued patents, and more than 50 clinical trials for novel therapeutic agents.  

The Role: 

Sonata Therapeutics is looking for an Assistant Controller to join our growing Finance team!  We are a rapidly growing company and are looking for an individual who will thrive in this fast-paced environment. The Assistant Controller will be an instrumental player in the month end close, will be responsible for developing and implementing new accounting systems, policies and procedures to scale within the organization, assisting with annual audits and enhancing companywide financial reporting. The position provides an opportunity for professional growth as Sonata continues to mature and evolve. This position is a hybrid role between remote and on-site presence.

Key Responsibilities:

• Manage all company accounting-related matters:
• Full ownership of the GL, including month-end/quarter-end/year-end close activities (journal entries, reconciliations, fluctuation analysis, P&L review, etc.) and compliance with US GAAP
• Manage fixed asset accounting, ensuring that capitalization/depreciation policies are followed and that assets are physically tracked in and out of the facility

• Partner with the leadership team to create a long range plan, milestones and financial projections
• Create, maintain and track annual budgets and monthly forecasts
• Help manage cash flow vs financing needs and strategic scientific milestones

• Collaborate across key functional areas, including facilities, legal, HR, IT, R&D, and FP&A, as applicable, to ensure proper input into the close process
• Develop, implement and document new accounting policies and procedures to scale within the organization
• Ensure internal controls compliance for the responsible area, including implementing improvements to enhance the efficiency of current controls
• Support and coordinate preparation for financial statement audits and tax compliance reporting (federal/state/sales tax filings and other compliance)
• Review expense reports
• Assist with specific projects and initiatives unique to a fast-growing biotechnology start-up, such as system implementations and updates and business process improvements

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in accounting is required
• CPA and “Big 4” audit experience preferred
• 5-10 years’ experience in accounting/finance
• Experience with US GAAP financial reporting requirements and controls
• Major ERP experience, NetSuite experience a strong plus
• Biotech experience a plus
• Extensive experience with Microsoft Excel and Word
• Detail-oriented with ability to manage multiple projects in a fast-paced environment
• Must have excellent analytical skills
• Ability to work both independently and in a collaborative team setting
• Flexible, personable team-player, comfortable in a fast-paced, small company environment
• Strong written and verbal communication skills and demonstrated ability to work collaboratively with both scientists and management

Flagship Pioneering and our ecosystem companies are committed to equal employment opportunity regardless of race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship, marital status, disability, gender identity or Veteran status.

Recruitment & Staffing Agencies: Flagship Pioneering and its affiliated Flagship Lab companies (collectively, “FSP”) do not accept unsolicited resumes from any source other than candidates. The submission of unsolicited resumes by recruitment or staffing agencies to FSP or its employees is strictly prohibited unless contacted directly by Flagship Pioneering’s internal Talent Acquisition team. Any resume submitted by an agency in the absence of a signed agreement will automatically become the property of FSP, and FSP will not owe any referral or other fees with respect thereto.