Job Summary

Velia is a transformative early stage biotech company with the ambitious goal to harness the therapeutic potential of a novel class of human peptides, also known as microproteins. Building upon our founders’ seminal work, the Velia team is constructing and deploying a novel target discovery pipeline that integrates computational science, high throughput profiling, functional genomics, and human clinical data. We are looking for innovative, driven team players to partner with the science in the discovery of new medicines for patients.

The Velia Assistant Controller role is an operationally-oriented position with responsibility for all aspects of accounting and finance including, but not limited to, the following: month-end, quarter end, and year- end financial statement preparation, annual budgeting and forecasting, P&L analysis, fixed assets, and for ensuring adherence to Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP). Provides accurate and timely financial and management reports to executives, board of directors and investors. This is a “hands-on” position ensuring and maintaining accurate financial records.

Primary Duties and Responsibilities

• Prepares reports which summarize and forecast company business activity and financial position in areas of income, expenses, and cash runway based on past, present, and expected operations.
• Prepares budgets, reviews budget proposals, and prepares necessary supporting documentation and justification
• Leads and operates accounting functions, maintains fiscal records, establishes and maintain budgetary controls and procedures
• Prepares financial reports and other data for internal and external constituencies (i.e. management, board and investors)
• Provides management with timely reviews of organization's financial status and progress in its various programs and activities
• Lead and direct corporate tax compliance for annual returns, annual provisions as well as tax projects, as needed
• Assess systems requirements for the accounting department in support of organizational growth; implement and enhance current and other accounting systems
• Lead and directs audits of company's accounts and prepares reports required by regulatory agencies
• Collaborate and manage relationships with commercial banking, outside counsel, auditors, landlord and other business partners
• Direct and monitor compliance with internal controls related to financial policies to mitigate risk and engage in continuous improvement
• Oversee administration of equity plans and stock option record keeping
• Oversee payroll and other compensation plans
• Collaborate with management to establish insurance coverage for protection against property losses and potential liabilities.
• Provides training to staff as needed.
• Carries out job responsibilities and assignments safely and maintains a clean and safe work area.
• Other duties as may be necessary.

Supervisory Responsibilities

Hire and manage one Junior Accountant. Carries out supervisory responsibilities in accordance with the organization's policies and applicable laws. Responsibilities include interviewing, hiring, and training employees; planning, assigning, and directing work; appraising performance; rewarding and disciplining employees; addressing complaints and resolving problems.

Preferred Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting or Finance, four to six years’ experience in accounting with progressively greater responsibility;
• Recent experience with a public company preferred, not required.
• Must have understanding of US GAAP
• Experience with the establishment of internal controls and internal audits.
• Familiar with SEC and Audit reporting formats; technically competent and current with all recent opinions of the SEC, AICPA, IRS and FASB.
• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to work effectively across all functions
• Effective verbal and written communication skills, including the ability to translate complex financial information
• Other factors include: Passion for the business of drug discovery; Energy and enthusiasm of others, Self-motivated and Results-oriented.

Career Paths

• Controller

Special Considerations

• This job may necessitate working outside “regular” work hours
• While performing work and writing the employee is frequently required to stand, walk, talk or hear, sit, use hands to finger, handle or feel, and reach with hands and arms. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, color vision, and depth perception.
• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally exposed to moving mechanical parts, fumes or airborne particles, toxic or caustic chemicals, extreme cold, risk of electrical shock and risk of radiation. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.