ZBiotics is a consumer health startup pioneering the category of genetically engineered probiotics. Our team of PhD scientists takes traditional probiotics and enhances them – giving them powerful new functionalities that improve human health and enrich daily life. We incorporate these new probiotics into our own branded products and sell them direct-to-consumer (DTC).

Our first product – the world’s first ever genetically engineered probiotic to go to market – helps people feel better the day after drinking alcohol by breaking down acetaldehyde, one of alcohol’s toxic byproducts. We launched this product in August 2019, and since then we’ve successfully developed product #2, which will launch within the next year.

Accounting Manager (Remote, US Based)

***Interested candidates please apply via this link!***

The opportunity 

At ZBiotics, we make genetically engineered probiotics that improve daily life. Our mission is to create, brand, and sell GMOs that people love. As a group of motivated, yet down-to-earth people, we are fueled by two things: a love for science and a commitment to being people-first. As the first company to bring GMO probiotics to market, we’re committed to setting a new standard for transparency, quality, and innovation.

In 2019, we launched the world’s first genetically engineered probiotic: ZBiotics® Pre-Alcohol, a 14mL probiotic drink designed to break down an alcohol byproduct that leads to rough mornings after drinking. Since then, ZBiotics’ business has continued to grow rapidly year over year, and in 2024 we launched our second product: ZBiotics® Sugar-to-Fiber, a genetically engineered probiotic that creates fiber in your gut using sugar you already eat, contributing to microbiome health.

ZBiotics is headquartered in San Francisco and backed by venture investors including Y Combinator, Spring Tide Capital, and Khosla Ventures, among others.

Now, we’re looking for a talented Accounting Manager to join our team as our first in-house accounting hire. This is a unique opportunity to establish the financial backbone of a cutting-edge biotech-enabled CPG startup and make a meaningful impact from day one. You will be reporting directly to the COO and have a dotted reporting line to the Chief of Staff. 

About You

You are an experienced accounting generalist (with five to seven years of experience) who is excited about being the first in-house accounting hire at a fast-growing startup, ready to establish the financial backbone and processes of our company. 

You thrive in a startup environment as a self-starter who can work independently while effectively collaborating with cross-functional teams. 

You have exceptional attention to detail and a strong sense of integrity. We fully trust you to handle our finances and vendor relationships with care and professionalism.

You’re tech-savvy and always looking for ways to optimize workflows. You are eager to own our accounting tech stack (QuickBooks Online, Cin7 Core, Ramp, and Brex, etc.).

You bring strong communication skills, enabling you to translate financial data into insights for the internal stakeholders.

Your Responsibilities

• Accounting Operations: Own the accounting tech stack and oversee day-to-day accounting activities in partnership with our external CPA. Build the foundation for scalable, compliant processes with the goal of achieving audit readiness within the next 2 years.
  • Accounts Payable (AP): Ensure all vendor payments follow the right review & approval process and are paid on time. 
  • Accounts Receivable (AR): Build the scalable infrastructure in partnership with the Retail Operations team to reconcile and manage receivables as we grow our wholesale business.
  • Month-End Close: Streamline our month-end close process to improve accuracy and reporting timeliness.
• Cross-functional Collaboration: 
  • Work closely with the Supply Chain team and outside consultant to track inventory movements and cost of goods sold in the ERP (Cin7 CORE). Assist in analyzing product and channel contribution margins.
  • Collaborate with the Data & Analytics team to develop seamless data integrations that connect financial data with broader company metrics, ensuring consistency and transparency across systems.
  • Collaborate with the marketing team to ensure proper expense recognition and support tracking of key metrics such as Customer Acquisition Cost (CAC).
• Financial Reporting and Analysis: Prepare accurate, timely financial reports for internal stakeholders, investors, and Board. Deliver actionable analysis and insights to support forecasting and strategic business decisions.
• Cash & Treasury Management: Lead cash flow management. Establish disciplined controls and reporting to safeguard assets and position the company for sustainable growth.
• Accounting Policies, Controls & Process Improvement:
  • Develop and implement accounting policies, procedures, and internal controls from the ground up. 
  • Build SOPs for all accounting workflows to support future scaling of the accounting / finance team. Identify opportunities to improve efficiency and scalability by implementing best practices and modern accounting tools to support business growth across all sales channels (DTC, Amazon, wholesale).
• Compliance: Maintain full compliance with all regulatory requirements, including sales tax, payroll tax, and statutory filings, etc. Work with the CPA to remain in compliance with all Federal and State Tax Boards, while regularly analyzing taxable events and future filings Act as the central liaison for accounting and compliance vendors, such as sales tax advisors and R&D tax credit specialists, etc.

Your First 90 Days at ZBiotics

We’re excited for you to join as our first in-house Accounting Manager — a foundational role shaping the systems, structure, and insights that fuel ZBiotics’ growth.

First 30 Days: Learn & Immerse
Get oriented with our culture, systems (QuickBooks Online, Cin7 Core, Ramp, Brex, JPM), and key partners (CPA, ERP, tax). Learn how our accounting flows across DTC, Amazon, and wholesale, and build cross-functional relationships across the team.

By 60 Days: Take OwnershipBegin running core accounting operations — AP, AR, cash, and month-end close — while improving accuracy, documenting SOPs, and identifying “quick wins” to boost efficiency and visibility.

By 90 Days: Build & Elevate
Confidently lead the accounting function, strengthen vendor relationships, and map out a roadmap for scalable, audit-ready operations. Start contributing to financial strategy, translating accounting into actionable business insights.

Must-Have Experience

• Five to seven years of progressive accounting experience, including a blend of public accounting (audit or advisory) and in-house roles.
• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field. 
• Relevant industry experience in consumer packaged goods and e-commerce companies. 
• Solid grasp of US GAAP and hands-on experience across the full accounting cycle.
• Proficiency with accounting technology, including ERP and expense management tools (e.g., Cin7 CORE, Ramp, Brex, etc.), and the ability to streamline processes through automation and integration.
• Advanced analytical and Excel/Google Sheets skills for reconciliations, data analysis, and financial modeling.
• You approach every task — big or small — with integrity, accountability, and pride in delivering quality work. Your enthusiasm and genuine passion for accounting set you apart.

Nice-to-Have Experience

• Experience as the first or early accounting hire at a startup, with a track record of building accounting processes and systems from the ground up.
• CPA license (or active progress toward certification) is preferred. 
• A generalist and growth-oriented mindset suited to a lean, fast-moving environment — ideal for someone eager to take ownership today and grow into a future Accounting Director or Controller.
• Familiarity with multi-channel retail operations (DTC, Amazon, wholesale) and the accounting considerations specific to each channel.
• Cost Accounting experience would be a plus. Understanding of GAAP policies related to inventory.
• Experience leading or coordinating complex accounting projects, managing external CPA and consultant relationships across multi-state tax compliance, R&D tax credits, audits, etc.
• Proven ability to collaborate cross-functionally — contributing beyond core accounting to areas such as FP&A, investor reporting, and strategic partnership with other departments.

Benefits

We believe in a life well-lived. ZBiotics offers competitive benefits for a life outside of work, including: health / dental, 401(k) contribution, a minimum PTO policy (with unlimited time off), parental leave, a home office stipend, transit benefits, and access to office space if located in or visiting San Francisco.

We encourage you to apply …

At ZBiotics, we value our differences, and we encourage all – especially those whose identities are traditionally underrepresented in tech organizations – to apply.

We are pioneering the development of genetically engineered probiotic bacteria for consumer applications. We use standard genetic engineering techniques such as homologous recombination, combined with rational design and our own robust and constitutive gene expression platform, to create new microorganisms that perform useful functions for the human body.