Controller

HqO is an enterprise software business (Est. May 2018) that empowers commercial real estate owners and operators to better serve their corporate tenants. Through an asset‑agnostic, cross‑property suite of powerful applications and services, HqO’s REX (Real Estate Experience) Platform assesses the health and performance of a person’s experience within a physical space while providing the tools operators need to manage and optimize it, all from one central location. HqO powers 400M+ square feet of commercial real estate across 700+ properties in 32 countries. We are backed by leading venture capital firms and real estate companies and are well capitalized for continued global growth. We operate by our core values — LET’S GO (Learning, Excellence, Truth, Service, Goodness, Ownership) — which define how we work and push us to do our best every day. About the role We are seeking a Controller to own and optimize HqO’s accounting function. This is a hands‑on leadership role for someone who thrives in a modern SaaS environment and is excited to operate at the intersection of accounting, systems, and automation. You will inherit an accounting operation with established processes and an audit that is on track for completion. From there, your mandate is to refine, scale, and modernize — reducing manual work, leveraging automation, and building a highly efficient accounting function aligned with how modern technology enables teams today. You will be the senior accounting mind at the company and will be expected to use your experience to prioritize both the investment of your time and budget effectively. This role oversees a lean accounting team (one Staff Accountant today, with budget for an additional hire) and reports to and works alongside a strategic‑leaning Sr. Finance Director. Location: Downtown Boston (3–4 days/week) What you’ll do Own and be accountable for the end‑to‑end accounting function and serve as the primary decision‑maker for accounting systems, workflows, and team structure Lead and continuously improve the monthly, quarterly, and annual close processes to drive accuracy, speed, and scalability Establish and enforce accounting policies, ensuring compliance with ASC 606 and audit standards – leveraging a strong 9‑year relationship with the current audit firm Partner with Finance on financial reporting, insights, and key business initiatives Oversee SaaS revenue recognition, including invoicing, deferred revenue, and contract interpretation Oversee process improvement from Suite‑Billing in Netsuite to a potentially new billing process / software such as Maxio, leveraging Hubspot CRM as the source of truth Identify, prioritize, and implement automation opportunities across accounting workflows using internal AI/agentic tools and the internal AI subject‑matter experts. Including but not limited to: agents to monitor AR/AP inboxes, run cash reconciliations, and/or assist with month‑end review & reporting Own the design of the accounting function, making strategic decisions on automation vs. headcount as the business scales Manage and develop a Staff Accountant, with responsibility for team performance and future team design Collaborate cross‑functionally with Operations, Legal, and GTM teams to ensure accurate financial processes and data integrity Refine international payroll processes in conjunction with HR (less than 10% of total payroll) Contribute meaningfully to international operations and compliance across four EMEA entities and one US entity, in conjunction with the internal legal team and external compliance partners Own ongoing sales tax audit / process refinement with existing customer base Compensation Bonus: 5‑10% Equity: Participation in HQO’s equity program NetSuite ERP (fully implemented) International Payroll Multi‑entity (US, UK, Hungary, Netherlands), multi‑currency operations Established processes with opportunity for optimization and automation What you bring Must haves Bachelor’s degree in Accounting (CPA is a plus) 5–10 years of accounting experience SaaS experience with strong understanding of revenue recognition (ASC 606) Hands‑on experience with NetSuite Prior experience owning a close process Prior experience leading junior accountants Experience running or contributing meaningfully to an audit Strong systems mindset with interest in automation and process improvement Nice to have Experience in lean teams where individuals own broad responsibilities Exposure to multi‑entity or international operations Experience implementing automation or working with AI‑driven tools Background in high‑growth or venture‑backed companies Strong analytical, problem‑solving, and communication skills Why this role This is a unique opportunity to step into a fully functioning accounting environment and take it to the next level. Rather than building from scratch, you’ll focus on refinement, efficiency, and modernization – using today’s tools and AI capabilities to reimagine how accounting work gets done. You’ll have real ownership over both the accounting function and how it evolves, including the ability to shape the balance between headcount and automation as the company grows. #J-18808-Ljbffr