Controller

Controller

Our client, a high-growth artificial intelligence software company, is seeking a Controller to lead the accounting function and help build the financial infrastructure required to support continued growth.


Location:

San Francisco, CA. This role is hybrid, with an expectation of 2-3 days per week in the office.


Job Description:

This highly visible role will oversee core accounting operations, technical accounting, audit readiness, internal controls, and financial systems while partnering closely with executive leadership. The ideal candidate is both strategic and hands-on, with the ability to build scalable processes in a fast-paced environment.


Responsibilities:

• Lead the monthly and quarterly close process, ensuring timely, accurate, and well-documented financial reporting.
• Research, document, and apply technical accounting guidance related to revenue recognition, equity compensation, and other complex transactions.
• Oversee stock-based compensation accounting, valuation coordination, and equity-related reporting activities.
• Design, implement, and strengthen internal controls, accounting policies, and audit-ready processes that support future scalability.
• Manage external audit and tax-provider relationships, including audit coordination, compliance activities, and timely issue resolution.
• Evaluate, implement, and optimize ERP systems, accounting workflows, and automation initiatives.
• Partner with Finance, Legal, and operational teams to ensure contracts, transactions, and business activities are accounted for appropriately.
• Lead and develop accounting team members while establishing scalable processes and reporting standards.

Requirements:

• 12 years of progressive accounting experience, including public accounting and leadership experience within a high-growth technology environment.
• Strong knowledge of U.S. GAAP, with significant expertise in revenue recognition and stock-based compensation accounting.
• Experience managing external audits, building internal controls, and supporting audit-readiness initiatives.
• Experience implementing or managing ERP systems and improving accounting processes through automation and systems enhancements.
• CPA preferred, with the ability to communicate technical accounting conclusions to executive leadership and other stakeholders.

Compensation:

Determining compensation for this role (and others) at Vaco by Highspring depends upon a wide array of factors, including but not limited to:

• The individual's skill sets, experience, and training;
• Licensure and certifications;
• Office location and other geographic considerations;
• Other business and organizational needs.

With that said, as required by local law in geographies that require salary range disclosure, Vaco by Highspring notes that the salary range for the role is noted in this job posting. The individual may also be eligible for discretionary bonuses, and can participate in medical, dental, and vision benefits as well as the company's 401(k) retirement plan.


By submitting to this position, you are agreeing to be included in our talent pool for future hiring for similarly qualified positions.

EEO Notice


Vaco by Highspring is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of race (including but not limited to traits historically associated with race such as hair texture and hair style), color, sex (includes pregnancy or related conditions), religion or creed, national origin, citizenship, age, disability, status as a veteran, union membership, ethnicity, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, marital status, political affiliation, or any other protected characteristics as required by federal, state or local law.


Vaco by Highspring and its parents, affiliates, and subsidiaries are committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. As part of this commitment, Vaco by Highspring and its parents, affiliates, and subsidiaries will ensure that persons with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodations. If reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and/or to receive other benefits and privileges of employment, please contact View email address on click.appcast.io .


Vaco by Highspring also wants all applicants to know their rights that workplace discrimination is illegal .

Representation Notice


By submitting to this position, you agree that you will be giving Vaco by Highspring the exclusive right to present your as a candidate for the foregoing employment opportunity. You further agree that you have represented information about yourself accurately and have not affirmatively misrepresented your qualifications. You also agree to maintain as confidential, to the fullest extent permitted by law, any information you learn from Vaco by Highspring about the position and you will limit disclosure of information about the position only to the extent necessary to perform any obligations in furtherance of your application. In exchange, Vaco by Highspring agrees to exercise reasonable efforts to represent you through all solicitation, job screening and resume dispersal.

For residents of Ontario, Canada: Based on Highspring's discussions with its Client, Highspring's understanding is that this position for employment is a current vacancy (either through Highspring as a contractor or with the client directly).

Privacy Notice


Vaco by Highspring and its parents, affiliates, and subsidiaries ("we," "our," or "Vaco by Highspring") respects your privacy and are committed to providing transparent notice of our policies.

• California residents may access Vaco by Highspring HR Notice at Collection for California Applicants and Employees here .
• Virginia residents may access our state specific policies here .
• Residents of all other states may access our policies here .
• Canadian residents may access our policies in English here and in French here .
• Residents of countries governed by GDPR may access our policies here .

Additionally, submissions to this position are subject to the use of AI to perform preliminary candidate screenings, focused on ensuring minimum job requirements noted in the position are satisfied. More details about Vaco by Highspring's use of AI can be found here ( ). Further assessment of candidates beyond this initial phase will be conducted by recruiters and hiring managers. Vaco by Highspring does not know and cannot opine on if its client's use of AI products in hiring.

Pay Transparency Notice


Determining compensation for this role (and others) at Vaco by Highspring depends upon a wide array of factors including but not limited to:

• the individual's skill sets, experience and training;
• licensure and certification requirements;
• office location and other geographic considerations;
• other business and organizational needs.

With that said, as required by local law, Vaco by Highspring believes that the following salary range referenced above reasonably estimates the base compensation for an individual hired into this position in geographies that require salary range disclosure. The individual may also be eligible for discretionary bonuses.