Company Description
AGEM Bio is developing a platform with the potential to transform how cell and gene therapies are engineered, manufactured and deployed — with a lead clinical programme in glioblastoma commencing Phase I trials in 2026/27. This is a rare opportunity to join a pioneering biotech at the very beginning of its commercial journey, to receive structured mentoring from an experienced CFO, and to grow into a senior finance leadership role as the organisation scales and advances toward out-licensing transactions and international partnerships.
We are transparent about the risks inherent in early-stage biotech. We are equally proud of our science, our capital discipline, and the calibre of our founding team. The right candidate will see both clearly.
Role Description
This role is an exceptional opportunity for a driven junior accounting and/or business operations professional to join AGEM Bio as one of its first finance hires. You will be directly supervised and mentored by the Fractional CFO with a deliberate objective of developing the successful candidate into a potential senior finance & accounting contributor as the company scales.
The role spans core accounting duties alongside operational responsibilities including laboratory consumables and raw materials procurement, invoicing, and human resources administration. You will need to be comfortable working in an environment that combines scientific rigour with lean startup pragmatism, and to embrace the inherent risk and reward of backing an early-stage biotech pioneer.
Duties and Responsibilities
Accounting Operations, Processes & Systems (55% Time)
- Maintain the general ledger and chart of accounts in the company's cloud accounting system (Xero or equivalent)
- Manage accounts payable and receivable, including preparation and issuance of invoices to customers, agents and partners
- Assist in preparation of monthly management accounts, bank reconciliations and supporting schedules
- Support GST filing and liaise with outsourced accounting partner (Paloe Pte Ltd) on tax submissions and statutory compliance
- Prepare year-end audit schedules and co-ordinate with external auditors on relevant areas of responsibility
- Assist in the development and documentation of finance SOPs and internal policies under direction of the Fractional CFO
- Maintain proper filing and archival of all financial records and contracts
Operational Support — Procurement, Inventory & Laboratory Consumables (25% Time)
- Manage purchase orders and coordinate procurement of laboratory raw materials, reagents and consumables with scientific staff
- Maintain inventory records and assist in periodic stock counts; flag reorder thresholds to laboratory and management
- Liaise with external suppliers and agents (including SEA distribution agents) on pricing, delivery timelines and invoice reconciliation
- Monitor purchase orders against approved budgets and escalate variances to the CFO
- Support the set-up and maintenance of procurement SOPs and supplier records as the company scales
Human Resources Administration (15% Time)
- Administer payroll processing in liaison with the outsourced accounting partner and MOM requirements
- Maintain employee records, leave tracking and CPF submissions
- Support onboarding administration for new hires, including documentation, equipment tracking and IT access coordination
- Assist with grant-related HR reporting where required (e.g. grant-funded headcount milestones)
- Provide general office administration support commensurate with a five-person startup environment
Financial Planning Support & Career Development (5% Time)
- Assist the Fractional CFO in preparing budget templates, variance analyses and use-of-funds schedules for board and investor reporting
- Participate in Series A fundraising administration and data room maintenance where required
- Engage actively in the structured mentoring programme with the CFO, with a long-term development objective of progressing to a more senior level contributions and a Finance & Accounting Professional role as the company scales
Candidate Profile
- Open to Singaporeans or SG PRs only
- Diploma or Degree in Accounting, Finance or a related discipline
- 1–3 years of commercial accounting experience; recent graduates with strong internship records are welcome to apply
- Prior exposure to a startup, life sciences, healthcare or research environment is an advantage but not mandatory
- Must demonstrate a genuine interest in the biotech and life sciences sector, and an intellectual curiosity about AGEM Bio’s technology and mission
- Comfortable with the realities of an early-stage startup: lean resources, broad responsibilities and the need for self-direction
- CPA/CA/ACCA pursuit is welcomed and supported; designation is not a prerequisite
- Mature candidates returning to the workforce with relevant accounting experience are welcome to apply
Key Skills and Competencies
- Proficient in written and spoken English; Mandarin language skills are an advantage given regional operations
- Hands-on proficiency in Microsoft Office (Excel in particular) is required
- Working knowledge of Xero, QuickBooks or comparable cloud accounting software; experience in accounting systems set-up or migration is well regarded as well as a willingness to assist on workflow automation opportunities as new market available technologies and operational workflow demands evolve
- Able to multi-task across finance, operations and HR duties without loss of accuracy or attention to detail
- Strong organising skills with an ability to independently manage deadlines and deliverables
- A collaborative, low-ego working style suited to a close-knit scientific team
Key Performance Indicators
- Timely and accurate monthly close and management accounts in all areas of ownership
- Zero material errors in GST filings and statutory submissions
- Inventory records maintained with fewer than [X]% variance on periodic stock counts
- Payroll and CPF processed on time with no MOM compliance issues
- Invoices issued and purchase orders processed within agreed turnaround timeframes
- Understand and anticipate workflow and transaction processing issues that may impact governance and accounting integrity
- Demonstrable progression in technical and commercial finance skills under the mentoring plan agreed with the CFO
