Controller, Director of Accounting

Overview

This role is for a strategic Controller, Director of Accounting who will lead the organization’s accounting function and help build the financial close, controls, and reporting processes needed to scale. Reporting to the CFO, you will own the monthly and annual close, lead accounting operations, set and document accounting policies and procedures, and support tax and audit initiatives.

Responsibilities

Financial Close & Reporting

• Own the monthly, quarterly, and year-end close, including GL reconciliation and financial statement preparation under U.S. GAAP.
• Prepare, review, and record journal entries with adequate supporting documentation to keep the general ledger audit-ready at each close.
• Perform financial statement analysis and review, resolving issues before they reach leadership or external stakeholders.

Accounting Operations, Controls & Compliance

• Oversee day-to-day accounting operations across AR, AP, payroll, and sales commissions.
• Develop and enforce GAAP-compliant accounting policies and procedures to strengthen the control environment as the organization scales.
• Establish and maintain internal controls, documenting financial and business processes to support compliance and audit requirements.

Audit & Tax Leadership

• Lead and build an audit-ready control environment as the organization continues to grow.
• Own relationships with external auditors and tax advisors and oversee the audit process end to end to keep it on schedule with minimal disruption.
• Own tax filings in partnership with external advisors to maintain compliance and reduce tax risk.

Planning & Strategic Partnership

• Support the CFO with annual budgeting, planning, and forecasting.
• Partner closely with FP&A to keep close results aligned with forecast and plan.
• Contribute to or lead strategic projects such as M&A due diligence, fundraising, and financial analysis.

Continuous Improvement & Team Leadership

• Drive continuous improvement in processes, documentation, and controls so the finance function scales efficiently.
• Hire, coach, and lead a high-performing accounting team.
• Evaluate and implement accounting and finance technology, including AI tools, to keep finance tooling ahead of business growth.

Requirements

• At least 8 years of experience in accounting, ideally including public accounting experience, plus 2 to 3 years of strong monthly close experience.
• Experience working in a Software or SaaS company, including practical knowledge of SaaS accounting and business models, with familiarity of metrics such as ARR, LTV, CAC, and recurring vs. non-recurring revenue.
• Experience with small-to-mid-market general ledger software (e.g., QuickBooks, Xero, Sage Intacct, NetSuite).
• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Accounting; CPA strongly preferred.
• Comprehensive understanding of U.S. GAAP and/or IFRS, including familiarity with ASC 606, ASC 842, and ASC 718.
• Comfort with revenue recognition complexity specific to marketplace/e-commerce models (e.g., principal vs. agent determination under ASC 606), beyond standard SaaS ARR recognition.
• Tax and audit experience, including having led an audit or being part of an audit team at a public accounting firm.
• Experience leading, not just supporting, a system migration from an entry-level GL (e.g., QuickBooks) to a mid-market ERP (e.g., NetSuite, Rillet, Campfire).
• Experience or interest in using AI to scale an accounting function, with a willingness to explore new technologies that drive efficiency across finance and the broader business.
• Ability to interact credibly with all levels of the organization; hands-on and willing to roll up sleeves when needed.
• Sound judgment operating with minimal oversight on matters of real financial and legal significance; ability to stay steady under close and audit pressure.
• Builder’s mindset—comfortable creating structure and process from scratch and adapting as business models change.
• Ability to partner closely with FP&A to keep close results consistent with forecast and plan.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience as a Controller or Assistant Controller at a high-growth, PE- or VC-backed software company.
• Experience designing accounting policies/procedures or driving digital transformation at an early-stage company.
• Experience with high-volume billing operations.
• Experience with hybrid revenue models (SaaS plus usage-based/transactional).
• Experience with billing platforms such as Tabs.

AI Fluency & Modern Tooling

• Ability to use modern tools—including AI-powered systems—to improve decision-making, productivity, and quality of work.
• Responsible use of AI tools to accelerate research, analysis, documentation, and problem-solving.
• Strong judgment around data privacy, accuracy, and ethical use.
• Willingness to continuously learn and adapt as AI capabilities evolve.
• Proven examples of using AI to improve outcomes in prior roles are expected.

Compensation & Benefits

• Competitive compensation.
• Career development.
• Benefits.
• 401K match.
• Parental leave.
• Additional perks.

Location

Not specified in the provided job description.