Assistant Controller

What You’ll Do

The Senior Director, Assistant Controller is a key member of the accounting leadership team, reporting directly to the VP, Corporate Controller and serving as the VP Corporate Controller’s deputy for consolidation, close governance and accounting operations. This role is both technical and operational in nature, overseeing areas such as, but not limited to, consolidation and noncontrolling interest accounting, affiliate reporting and stand-alone audits, accounting systems and business processes, accounts payable, special projects, and BridgeBio’s overseas outsourced accounting team. The role also leads the accounting team’s desktop procedures program, process streamlining, and AI and automation agenda across all accounting functions. The role works closely with, but is separate from, the Technical Accounting and SEC Reporting function, which owns technical conclusions on complex and non-standard transactions as well as external financial reporting.

The role also partners with, rather than owns, revenue and cost accounting, R&D and sales & marketing accounting, payroll and stock compensation, tax, treasury, and the SOX program, which remain with their respective leaders.

The ideal candidate is a hands-on controllership leader with a strong technical foundation and a process-improvement mindset who is comfortable partnering with stakeholders across the organization. This individual thrives in a fast-paced, evolving commercial biotech environment, is agile in adapting to shifting priorities, and is equally effective managing day-to-day operations and leading process improvement, automation, and change management initiatives.

Responsibilities

Controllership: Close, Consolidation & Reporting Support

Close Governance & Financial Reporting:

• Partner with the Senior Director, Accounting (G&A, general ledger, and intercompany accounting) and other functional accounting leaders to ensure timely, accurate inputs to the close

• Review the consolidated close package, schedules, disclosures, and supporting documentation, and provide them to the SEC Reporting team for SEC filings (e.g., Forms 10-Q and 10-K) and other regulatory reporting requirements

• Prepare and/or review affiliate financial statements and related reports

• Manage external auditor relationships for BridgeBio and its affiliates, including coordination of audit and quarterly review timelines and prepared-by-client (PBC) requests

Noncontrolling Interests & Consolidation:

• Own the accounting for noncontrolling interests and variable interest entities, including allocation of income/loss and equity roll-forwards

• Own the consolidation process and related controls, including review of intercompany eliminations, foreign currency translation, and equity method investments, as applicable

• Ensure consolidation and noncontrolling interest accounting complies with U.S. GAAP and is properly documented and supportable for audit, in consultation with Technical Accounting and SEC Reporting

Partnership with Technical Accounting and SEC Reporting:

• Provide transactional data, account analyses, and close-related support for Technical Accounting and SEC Reporting deliverables

• Operationalize conclusions reached by Technical Accounting and SEC Reporting by translating them into journal entries, close procedures, system configurations, and controls

• Support implementation of new accounting standards within close processes, systems, and controls, based on impact assessments performed by Technical Accounting and SEC Reporting
• Identify and escalate non-standard or complex transactions arising in the close, AP, or other operational areas to Technical Accounting and SEC Reporting for evaluation

Accounts Payable & T&E Operations Management:

• Manage and oversee the accounts payable function through the Senior Manager, Accounts Payable, including invoice processing, vendor payments, employee expense reimbursement, and related controls

• Supervise, mentor, and develop the accounts payable team (onshore and outsourced), ensuring accurate and timely processing in accordance with company policy and internal controls

• Monitor AP aging, payment cycles, and cash disbursement processes in coordination with Treasury; identify and resolve bottlenecks or discrepancies

• Ensure compliance with SOX and internal control requirements over the AP and T&E processes, in partnership with Procure-to-Pay and SOX Compliance

• Partner with the Procurement Sourcing and Procurement Operations leads and other stakeholders to resolve vendor payment issues

• Drive continuous improvement and automation within the accounts payable function (e.g., touchless invoice processing, workflow approvals)

Business Processes & Accounting Systems:

• Own and continuously improve business processes and system workflows supporting accounts payable, procurement, and the broader accounting close, leading the accounting systems and business process team

• Partner with IT and system administrators on ERP and related system enhancements, upgrades, and integrations (e.g., SAP, Coupa, Concur, BlackLine), in support of the accounting system roadmap

• Serve as a key stakeholder in system implementations, testing, and change management related to accounting processes

• Serve as a key control owner for assigned SOX internal controls across close, consolidation, AP, and T&E processes, partnering with SOX Compliance and external auditors on testing, deficiency remediation, and control enhancements

• Maintain the accounting policy manual and ensure policies and procedures are documented, current, and consistently followed

Manage Outsourced Accounting Team:

• Serve as BridgeBio’s primary owner of the outsourced accounting relationship, providing structure, oversight, and accountability for the outsourced team

• Formalize the operating model, including a clear organizational structure, defined roles and responsibilities by function, designated team leads, escalation paths, and a named BridgeBio functional owner for each outsourced role

• Define service levels and performance metrics (e.g., timeliness, accuracy, volume, close-task completion); conduct regular performance reviews with outsourced firm leadership; and manage the statement of work, capacity planning, and staffing changes

• Establish onboarding, training, and cross-training programs, and partner with the outsourced firm on development opportunities for outsourced team members to improve coverage and retention

• Ensure outsourced activities follow BridgeBio’s internal controls, segregation of duties, system access, and data security requirements

• Run a recurring governance cadence (weekly operational check-ins, monthly performance reviews, quarterly business reviews) and coordinate periodic on-site visits

Desktop Procedures & Process Streamlining:

• Lead the creation and upkeep of desktop procedures for all accounting functions (close, G&A and general ledger, intercompany, consolidation, AP and T&E, revenue and cost, R&D and S&M, payroll and stock compensation, SEC reporting, tax, and treasury) in partnership with each functional leader, who remains the owner of the procedure content

• Set a standard desktop procedure template and a central repository with clear owners, version control, and an annual review cycle; ensure procedures cover both onshore and outsourced team activities

• Ensure desktop procedures support business continuity, cross-training, onboarding, and audit and SOX documentation requirements

• Map end-to-end processes across functions to remove redundant steps, manual handoffs, and duplicate reconciliations, and standardize practices across BridgeBio and its affiliates

• Lead process redesign initiatives that reduce close time and manual effort while maintaining or strengthening controls; track and report results

AI & Automation:

• Lead the accounting team’s AI and automation roadmap in partnership with the VP, Corporate Controller, AI Strategy & Ops, and IT, prioritizing use cases by impact on close time, quality, and cost

• Identify, prototype, and scale AI-enabled solutions (e.g., Claude, Microsoft Copilot, Workiva and BlackLine automation) across the close, reconciliations, accrual support, AP invoice processing, T&E review, and reporting

• Drive touchless AP and T&E processing, automated reconciliations and journal entries, and system workflow approvals within SAP, Coupa, Concur, and BlackLine

• Establish governance for AI use in accounting, including human review of all AI outputs, data confidentiality, documentation of AI-supported workflows, and SOX/ITGC considerations for AI-supported controls, in partnership with SOX Compliance and IT

• Define and track metrics (e.g., days to close, hours per deliverable, touchless processing rate, error rates) and report AI and automation results to accounting leadership

• Build AI fluency across the accounting team, onshore and outsourced, through training, shared prompt and workflow libraries, and best-practice sharing

Partnership with Other Functions:

• Review of accrual accounting, including R&D and commercial accruals, as needed

Ad Hoc Projects & Special Initiatives:

• Lead and/or support special projects and ad hoc analyses as assigned by the VP, Corporate Controller, or other senior finance leadership

• Support due diligence and integration of accounting operations (close, consolidation, AP, and systems) related to potential M&A, licensing, or other strategic transactions, partnering with Technical Accounting and SEC Reporting on technical matters

• Assist with the preparation of materials for BridgeBio’s and its affiliates’ audit committees, external auditors, and other stakeholders, as needed

• Participate in cross-functional initiatives supporting the company’s growth as a commercial-stage organization

Where You’ll Work

This is a hybrid role requiring in-office collaboration at least 3 days per week at our San Francisco and/or Palo Alto offices.

Who You Are

• Bachelor’s degree in accounting, finance, or a related field required; CPA required

• Minimum of 12 years of progressive accounting experience, including public accounting (Big 4 or national firm preferred) and/or industry experience in a similar role, ideally within the biotechnology, pharmaceutical, or life sciences industry

• Public company controllership experience, including close leadership and consolidation, ideally in a multi-entity environment

• Demonstrated experience managing accounts payable or a similar accounting operations function

• Track record of building and managing outsourced or offshore accounting teams, including service levels, governance, and performance management

• Demonstrated success leading process redesign and building desktop procedure or SOP libraries

• Strong working knowledge of U.S. GAAP with hands-on experience applying it in the close and consolidation process, including:

• Business combinations, consolidation, noncontrolling interests, and/or equity method investments

• Foreign currency accounting, intercompany transactions, leases, asset capitalization, and the statement of cash flows

• R&D accounting

• Experience working in a commercial-stage or newly commercial biotech/pharma company is a plus

• Strong knowledge of internal controls and SOX compliance requirements

• Proficiency with ERP and accounting systems (e.g., SAP) and related tools (e.g., BlackLine, Coupa, Concur)

• Advanced proficiency with Microsoft Excel; strong overall Microsoft Office skills

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to clearly convey complex accounting matters to varied audiences

Behavioral Characteristics

• Highly technical and detail-oriented, with strong analytical and problem-solving skills

• Agile and adaptable, able to shift quickly between operational management, process initiatives, and complex accounting matters in a fast-paced, evolving environment

• Strong leadership skills, with the ability to manage, coach, and develop staff

• Sound judgment and a high degree of professional skepticism when evaluating complex or ambiguous accounting matters

• Able to work independently, prioritize competing demands, and manage multiple projects and deadlines simultaneously

• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to build effective relationships across all levels of the organization

• Strong sense of urgency and ownership, with a proactive, solutions-oriented mindset

• Comfortable operating in ambiguity and helping build and scale processes as the company grows

• Commitment to accuracy, integrity, and continuous improvement in a highly regulated industry

AI Requirements

• Foundational Knowledge: Understanding of AI concepts, including machine learning, natural language processing, and data-driven decision-making

• Applied Skills: Demonstrated experience using AI tools and platforms (e.g., generative AI, predictive analytics, automation solutions) to solve business problems or improve workflows, ideally in accounting processes such as the close, reconciliations, AP, or reporting

• Problem-Solving with AI: Ability to identify opportunities where AI can add value, evaluate potential risks or limitations, and implement solutions effectively

• Governance: Understanding of the review, control, and data-confidentiality considerations for using AI in a SOX-regulated finance function

What the data says about this job

• Advertised pay for Assistant Controller: a median of $120,000 across 1,145 priced postings. This posting advertises $240,000 to $285,000, 119% above that median. Explore the market

Measured from employers' own postings and public filings. How we measure