Assistant Controller

Job Title : Assistant Controller

Reporting to : Director, Finance & Accounting

Location : Durham, North Carolina (or Remote)

About Pairwise :

Pairwise is a mission driven AgriFoodTech company pioneering the application of CRISPR technology in food and agriculture.

Founded in 2017 by leading scientists in the gene editing and biotechnology fields, Pairwise holds licenses from Harvard and Massachusetts General Hospital to base editing and high-fidelity enzymes in addition to our own proprietary, company-developed suite of novel tools.

Anchored by our Fulcrum™ platform and deep technical and agronomic expertise in more than 60 crops, we’re accelerating innovation in plant genetics, food and agricultural products, supply chains, and production systems.

Our expert team delivers commercially viable products that benefit the planet, consumers, growers, and our business partners.

After successfully delivering 27 novel traits to Bayer’s pipeline during our first collaboration for corn, soy, wheat, and canola, our second collaboration currently underway is focused on developing climate-friendly short-stature corn with more partnerships on the horizon.

Our consumer-facing pipeline includes seedless blackberries and pitless cherries.

Named one of America’s Top GreenTech Companies, Pairwise is based in the start-up friendly Research Triangle Park area of North Carolina.

About This Role :

Pairwise is changing the way the world eats and making incredible changes in how we drive progress in the produce aisle, agriculture, and beyond.

We are a late-stage start-up that is scaling our functions accordingly, and this role will be an integral part of the build out of the accounting function.

Our Assistant Controller is responsible for key aspects of the day-to-day accounting operations for the entire organization;

in addition, will lead and manage the month-end close process, with focus on accuracy and timeliness.

Being a smaller organization, each of us gets the opportunity to really own our vertical space, and so in addition to the regular operational tasks, this individual will have the chance to be tactical and strategic.

This will include developing new accounting policies and procedures, seeking opportunities to reduce the financial closing cycle while ensuring financial accuracy, ensuring necessary accruals are recognized, etc...

This position is intended to be a growth opportunity, so we are looking for a candidate that demonstrates the aptitude and desire to lead, in addition to their finance experience.

As an organization, collaboration and teamwork are at the heart of who we are at Pairwise, so the ability to work both independently and as a member of a team is necessary for success here.

Furthermore, clear communication to internal and external stakeholders is critical transparency and inclusivity are core values at Pairwise, and we strive to live them.

Your contributions will be key to helping Pairwise meet technology and product development goals, as we bring our core passion and mission to fruition (pun intended!).

Essential Functions :

• The month-end close process, including but not limited to :
• Update and maintain the closing calendar,
• Connect with the organization to ensure all accruals are recognized with appropriate support,
• Perform monthly balance sheet reconciliations,
• Prepare all necessary monthly journal entries related to the month-end close process,
• Preparation of the Statement of Cash Flows,
• Manage revenue recognition and related cost of sales on collaboration agreements while ensuring related work is properly tracked and reported,
• Ensure equity-based compensation is appropriately recognized each period,
• Assist with month-end reporting and financial reforecasting.
• Daily tracking of bank account balances and alerting management of cash needs promptly
• Provide leadership in annual and interim audit work.
• Manage fixed asset accounting including additions, periodic depreciation, and oversight to property tax rolls.
• Collaborate with external tax advisors and provide necessary support for management of periodic tax obligations.
• Oversight of bi-monthly payroll runs with third party PEO.
• Support the development of accounting policies and procedures and conduct related technical accounting research, as needed.
• Mentor team members with less accounting or Excel skills to help them level up
• Provide input and assistance in the annual forecasting / budgeting processes.
• Demonstrate an ability to lead by influence and work autonomously in an ambiguous environment to solve complex business problems.
• Identify opportunities for automation and standardization while meeting all deadlines.

Required Education & Experience :

• Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting, or equivalent experience in the function.
• 10 years of combined public and private company accounting experience.
• CPA strongly preferred.
• Supporting and / or managing the month-end financial closing process.
• Experience with contract review and researching technical accounting issues.
• NetSuite experience is strongly desired.
• Proficiency in Excel required.
• Broad working knowledge across business functions as well as a skilled collaborator and communicator.
• Service oriented mindset with an ability to execute without specific direction.

Offerings :

• Comprehensive Benefits Plan, including Medical, Dental, Vision, HSA / FSA, 401k, Life Insurance, Short-Term & Long-Term Disability, and more!
• Flexible PTO (use what you need, when you need it), in addition to company holidays
• Casual work environment.
• Mission-driven organization focused on creating healthier fruits and veggies.
• A cutting-edge, driven community looking to lead the industry in innovation and nutrition.

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to sit and use hands to finger, handle or feel, and techniques that require fine motor skills and repetitive motions.

The employee is occasionally required to stand and walk. The employee must frequently lift and / or move up to 10 pounds.

The employee is regularly required to talk or hear. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus.

EEO Statement :

We're an equal opportunity employer.

All applicants will be considered for employment without attention to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran or disability status.

Don’t meet every single requirement? Studies have shown that women and people of color are less likely to apply to jobs unless they meet every single qualification.

At Pairwise we are dedicated to building a diverse, inclusive and authentic workplace, so if you’re excited about this role but your past experience doesn’t align perfectly with every qualification in the job description, we encourage you to apply anyways.

You may be just the right candidate for this or other roles.

No Recruiters, please