Controller

Controller - Venture Capital Experience A rapidly growing SaaS company is seeking a hands-on Controller to lead the accounting function. This role requires prior SaaS experience and is ideal for someone who thrives in an early-stage startup environment. Key Responsibilities Accounting & Close Own the monthly, quarterly, and annual financial close process. Prepare GAAP-compliant financial statements. Manage the general ledger, accruals, deferred revenue, and account reconciliations. Collaborate with external accounting and tax advisors. Develop and maintain strong internal controls and documentation. Revenue Recognition & Contract Accounting Oversee SaaS revenue recognition across subscriptions, implementation fees, usage-based billing, and multi-year agreements. Ensure appropriate accounting treatment for government and public-sector contracts, including delayed starts and appropriations-based revenue. Partner with Sales, Customer Success, and Implementation teams to align contract terms with revenue recognition. Sales Pipeline, CRM & Revenue Data Integrity Work with Sales leadership to improve CRM data accuracy and consistency. Ensure pipeline stages, close dates, contract values, and start dates are aligned with accounting and billing requirements. Reconcile CRM, signed contracts, billing, and financial system data. Validate pipeline assumptions and contract timing for revenue forecasting. Systems, Controls & Scale Own and improve accounting systems, billing workflows, payroll processes, and expense management tools. Strengthen data flow and integration between CRM, billing, and finance platforms. Support budgeting and budget vs. actual reporting. Implement and enhance processes to support audits, diligence activities, and future scalability. What We’re Looking For Required 5+ years of accounting or finance experience. Prior experience in a VC environment Prior experience as a Controller, Assistant Controller, or senior accounting leader. Strong, hands-on ownership of the financial close process. Solid understanding of GAAP and SaaS revenue recognition principles. Experience partnering cross-functionally with Sales and Operations. Ability to operate effectively in a fast-paced, high-growth environment. Nice to Have Experience with government or public-sector contracts. Experience working with CRM systems (e.g., Salesforce, HubSpot). Audit or due diligence support experience. CPA or equivalent credential. Interest in expanding into broader finance leadership over time. Why Join High-ownership Controller role with direct operational impact. Opportunity to build core financial infrastructure from the ground up. Exposure to complex revenue operations and SaaS scaling challenges. Clear path to increased leadership responsibilities as the company grows. Mission-driven environment with meaningful real-world impact. Determining compensation for this role (and others) at Vaco/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, as well as other business and organizational needs. With that said, as required by local law in geographies that require salary range disclosure, Vaco/Highspring notes 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. Additional disclaimer: Unless otherwise noted in the job description, the position Vaco/Highspring is filing for is occupied. Please note, however, that Vaco/Highspring is regularly asked to provide talent to other organizations. By submitting to this position, you are agreeing to be included in our talent pool for future hiring for similarly qualified positions. 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. Further assessment of candidates beyond this initial phase within Vaco/Highspring will be otherwise assessed by recruiters and hiring managers. Vaco/Highspring does not have knowledge of the tools used by its clients in making final hiring decisions and cannot opine on their use of AI products. Vaco by Highspring values a diverse workplace and strongly encourages women, people of color, LGBTQ+ individuals, people with disabilities, members of ethnic minorities, foreign-born residents, and veterans to apply. 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. 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. 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. 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.