Koniku is an early-stage, rapidly-growing company based in Silicon Valley. We build smell cyborgs by merging genetically modified living biological neurons with classic devices. Our flagship device, the Konikore™, detects smells using GPCR’s or olfactory receptor proteins hosted in biological cells. There are dynamic applications in healthcare, security, synthetic flavors & foods, and much more. 

We partner with a range of Fortune 500 companies as Technology Integrators and have been recently featured by The Financial Times, CNN, Bloomberg, TechCrunch & others. Notable partners, customers and investors include: Airbus, BASF, Thermo Fisher Scientific, Fraunhofer Institute Stuttgart, P&G, SoftBank, Platform Capital, IndieBio (SOSv).  

Beyond the numerous B2B opportunities, we aim to have a Konikore in ten million homes as a real-time disease diagnostic tool within the next decade. Koniku is a face-to-face company and our campus & culture are the nucleus of the Koniku spirit. Our headquarters include a next-generation deep technology Wetlab and a robust manufacturing facility, alongside our corporate, administrative & customer support teams. We are driven by a fundamental belief that “Bio is Tech™”.

Job Summary 

The Head of Finance Operations will be the first full-time accounting hire at Koniku and report directly to the CEO or COO until the CFO role is filled. This role will be responsible for a majority of accounting functions including building out budgeting and reporting processes, establishing strong internal controls, and executing timely and accurate monthly close and reporting systems, as the company rapidly expands the client base with new accounts.

We’re searching for a candidate with solid bookkeeping and accounting experience but is also open to diving into other non-accounting projects as they arise. The ideal candidate is a self-starter who will continuously improve upon the processes however feel comfortable recommending and instituting new, more effective policies that become visible as needed as we scale. 

Why It Matters

This role represents a significant growth opportunity for a highly-motivated, analytical individual to be involved in the building out of a vital department within the company, post the completion of our Series A funding round. This round and the to-be deployed capital, represent a very notable growth period for Koniku and this team member will be instrumental in ensuring the appropriate accounting and financial processes are in place and efficiently managed. 

Responsibilities

• Lead accounting operations including bookkeeping, billing, A/R, A/P, GL, and purchase orders.
• Leadership role in tying the critical point of mission to metrics, metrics to cost/value. Eventually, we expect the financial controller to lead the monitoring/execution of vision/mission to cash burn on day to day basis.
• Develop financial reporting processes including timely monthly, quarterly, year-end close processes and the preparation of internal and external financial statements such as income statements, balance sheet statements, cash-flow statements, etc.  
• Record, track and process all accruals, payment schedules, and other monthly transactions.
• Establish accounting standards, controls, and procedures and maintain a chart of accounts.
• Manage strong internal controls, create effective business processes and systems.
• Provide financial updates by evaluating, analyzing, and reporting appropriate data points.
• Manage team payroll and expense reporting.
• Manage of leases, contracts, consulting agreements,  financing arrangements, licensing, and other subscription based commitments.
• Achieve budgeting goals with proper scheduling, analysis, and corrective action.
• Calculate and pay quarterly taxes and state sales taxes / ensure compliance with  tax laws.
• Create and implement new accounting policies and procedures.
• Develop financial metrics to increase the accuracy and efficiency of the business.
• Recommend and pro-actively implement integrated accounting systems solutions.
• Support ad hoc department projects to establish, monitor and define routing processes.
• Act as a hands-on partner to the revenue group for business planning, financial forecasting, budgets and management reporting activities.

Qualifications & Experience

• Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting, Finance or Economics required.
• Five years of experience as a Senior Accountant or two years as a Controller.
• Excellent technical knowledge of GAAP, SEC rules and regulations, including revenue recognition, cost accounting, and SaaS accounting.
• Strong experience in cost/inventory accounting and revenue recognition and/or SAAS accounting and revenue recognition.
• Willingness to branch out and spend time on non-accounting projects, such as FP&A, operations and/or inventory planning.
• Strong ERP systems experience, preferably Arena; and Excel, Google Suite, & Quickbooks proficiency.
• Experience of accounting for consolidations, other business combinations, in addition to  international and multi-currency accounting. 
• Experience supporting external and internal audits, due diligence, as well as tax matters.
• Coordinate with external accounting firms and bookkeepers, as needed.
• Excellent knowledge in assessing, developing, and implementing internal controls.
• Experience with direct-to-consumer or B2B subscription businesses.
• Excellent communicator, both written and verbal, able to communicate complex concepts and risk factors to stakeholders and influence decision making.

Compensation & Benefits

• Salary range $150,000 – $220,000 per year (depending on qualification and justified ability to deliver on exact metrics).
• Generous sign on bonus and performance-based grants.
• Opportunity to participate in the company’s employee equity program.
• Employer-sponsored 401K plan with 4% matching. 
• Generous health, life, dental and vision insurance.
• Paid & flexible vacation.
• Fully-paid parental leave.
• Reserved parking and commuter benefits.