Controller

Overview

This role is for a hands-on, audit-seasoned Controller who will own the accounting function end to end. Reporting to the Chief Financial Officer (CFO), you will lead the organization through its first external financial statement audit, build a fast and reliable close, and strengthen controls, reporting, and documentation.

• Location: US - Remote
• Travel: Employees are asked to travel to either office once a quarter.
• Visa sponsorship: Not eligible for visa sponsorship.

Responsibilities

• Close & Reporting: Own month-end, quarter-end, and year-end close; drive for a consistent 5–7 business day close with complete, reviewed balance sheet reconciliations and flux analysis.
• External Audit Leadership: Serve as primary point of contact for external auditors; lead the company’s first financial statement audit and every audit thereafter, including PBC planning, audit-ready schedules, and technical memos.
• GAAP & Technical Accounting: Own accounting policies and technical positions under US GAAP, including:
  • ASC 606 revenue recognition for e-commerce (returns reserves, gift cards, discounts, swatches)
  • ASC 330 inventory
  • ASC 842 leases
  • Equity/stock compensation
• Inventory Accounting: Own inventory costing and valuation, including landed cost capitalization (freight, duty, tariffs), cost-of-goods accuracy, physical count and cycle count reconciliation, and obsolescence/lower-of-cost reserves.
• Transaction Readiness: Partner with the CFO to prepare for due diligence and potential strategic transactions, including data rooms, quality-of-earnings support, working capital analyses, and clean, defensible historical financials.
• Internal Controls: Design, document, and maintain a scalable internal control environment (segregation of duties, approval workflows, SOX-lite controls).
• Tax & Compliance: Coordinate with external tax advisors on federal and state income tax, the annual tax provision, multi-state sales tax nexus and remittance, and customs/duty compliance including First Sale.
• Treasury & Cash: Oversee cash management, bank reconciliations, payment controls, and covenant/lender reporting as applicable.
• Systems & Automation: Own the accounting systems stack (QuickBooks Online, Shopify, Fulfil, Bill.com, Brex) and lead close automation and AI-enabled workflows, with an emphasis on getting more value from current tools.
• Team Leadership: Lead, mentor, and develop the accounting team; set standards, review work, and build a culture of ownership and accuracy.
• Cross-Functional Partnership: Work closely with FP&A, Operations, Merchandising, and Supply Chain to ensure inventory, purchasing, and vendor terms are recorded accurately and on time.
• Special Projects: Support board reporting, lender/investor requests, and other finance initiatives as needed.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s Degree required
• 10+ years of progressive accounting experience, including at least 3 years in public accounting (audit)
• Direct, hands-on experience leading or supporting a company through an M&A transaction (buy-side or sell-side), including due diligence, quality of earnings, and post-close accounting
• Experience in a direct-to-consumer, e-commerce, or apparel/fashion company, with strong command of inventory accounting and landed cost
• Proven track record owning the close and serving as the primary liaison for an external financial statement audit
• Deep knowledge of US GAAP, particularly revenue recognition, inventory, and reserves
• Experience building or strengthening internal controls in a growth-stage company
• 3+ years managing and developing accounting staff
• Advanced Excel skills; comfortable working with large datasets and reconciling across multiple systems
• Ability to leverage AI tools to accelerate your work and identify opportunities for AI-driven automation (e.g., Claude, Gemini, Copilot)
• Impeccable organizational skills and attention to detail
• Excellent verbal, written, and interpersonal communication skills
• Strong analytical skills, including the ability to perform data deep dives to surface actionable insights
• Proactive problem solver; able to troubleshoot and/or escalate issues effectively
• Strong work ethic and willingness to handle tasks of all sizes
• Entrepreneurial mindset; comfortable with ambiguity and able to take initiative to lead projects

Preferred Qualifications

• Start-up experience
• Interest in bridal and fashion
• Experience leading a company’s first audit or an auditor transition
• Experience with import/customs accounting, tariffs, and First Sale programs
• Hands-on experience with QuickBooks Online, Shopify, Fulfil (or similar ERP), Bill.com, and Brex
• Experience with close automation tools or using AI to streamline accounting workflows
• Familiarity with SQL, BigQuery, or BI tools such as Looker
• Start-up or PE/VC-backed company experience

Compensation & Benefits

• New York Pay Range: $170,000—$190,000 USD
• Competitive compensation based on experience and performance, plus an annual performance bonus
• Healthcare: 100% employer covered medical, dental & vision plans; 50% spouse and dependent medical coverage; access to One Medical; mental health benefits
• Retirement: 401K + up to 4% match after 3 months
• Paid time off: Flexible Open PTO Policy + 11 paid holidays
• Wellness: monthly wellness day + monthly wellness stipend + summer Fridays
• Work model: Partial remote with a high level of autonomy and accountability
• Employee discount: free bridesmaid dresses + 50% discounts on products
• Family benefits: 3 months of paid parental leave

Location

US - Remote with an expectation that employees travel to either office once a quarter.