AI‑First Controller: Build Scalable FinOps & IPO Readiness

Socket.dev; United States; Remote; USD 180,000 - 260,000; Full time

Job summary

GC AI is hiring its first Controller to build and scale the accounting function, own the close and audit, and architect scalable systems for a fast‑growing AI company. You will decide what is automated, what is reviewed, and how the team operates in a modern finance stack.

You’ll own the controllership, manage auditors and the in‑house team as we move from outsourced processes. This role combines builder and operator: deliver the first‑year audit, drive ERP and revenue recognition changes, and

Qualifications

• Public accounting background with significant auditing experience.
• IPO experience on issuer side and familiarity with SEC expectations.
• Proven track record scaling accounting functions in high-growth companies.
• Experience using AI tooling to automate or compress accounting workflows.
• Strong ASC 606 knowledge for SaaS/usage-based pricing.
• Excellent written and verbal communication with able to own the close.

Responsibilities

• Architect the accounting org from outsourced to in-house AI-leveraged team. Define the operating model, hiring plan (Senior Accountant, AR/AP, Staff Accountant), and role/responsibility split between Accounting and FP&A.
• Own ERP implementation and chart of accounts redesign, opening balances, integrations, and parallel-run validation.
• Design the close to be AI-augmented end-to-end: reconciliations, flux analysis, accrual roll-forwards, journal entry preparation, and first-draft variance commentary generated by systems, with humans as reviewers and approvers.
• Stand up the systems architecture and build the data layer that lets Finance, Accounting, and RevOps work from a single source of truth.
• Use modern AI tooling (Claude, MCP connectors, agentic workflows) to compress the close cycle, automate prep work, and free the team for judgment and analysis.
• Establish controls, segregation of duties, and audit trails appropriate for a company on an IPO path without slowing the business.
• Take full ownership of our first-year financial statement audit. Land it.
• Own the technical accounting work; revenue recognition, ASC 606 memos, equity, stock comp, lease accounting, and any acquisition-related accounting.
• Build the audit-ready close: monthly close on a predictable cadence, clean rollforwards, supportable accruals, documented controls, and a tight, organized PBC process for subsequent audits.
• Own customer-facing financial diligence — auditor letters, going-concern letters, financial statement requests from enterprise customers.
• Stand up the discipline and documentation that makes year two and year three audits fast.

Skills

Audit experience

IPO experience

Built and scaled accounting function

AI-native operator

Technical accounting depth

Operator mindset

Education

Active CPA

Tools

Rillet

Campfire

NetSuite

Metronome

Stripe

Ramp

Justworks

Job description

GC AI is hiring its first Controller to build and scale the accounting function, own the close and audit, and architect scalable systems for a fast‑growing AI company. You will decide what is automated, what is reviewed, and how the team operates in a modern finance stack.

You’ll own the controllership, manage auditors and the in‑house team as we move from outsourced processes. This role combines builder and operator: deliver the first‑year audit, drive ERP and revenue recognition changes, and