Assistant Controller

Blackline Systems Inc; Los Angeles (CA); On-site; USD 224,000 - 280,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Professional development seminars

Inclusive affinity groups

Comprehensive benefit plans

Job summary

Blackline Systems Inc in Los Angeles is looking for an Assistant Controller to lead accounting operations and drive financial strategies. This role offers a clear path to becoming the Vice President, Corporate Controller.

Key responsibilities include optimizing financial close processes, mentoring the accounting team, and leveraging AI technologies for efficiency in financial reporting. The successful candidate will have over 10 years of accounting experience, a CPA license, and a strong leadership track record.

Qualifications

• 10-15 years of progressive accounting experience in a global setting.
• 4+ years in a senior leadership role, preferably as Assistant Controller.
• Expert-level knowledge of US GAAP and SEC regulations.

Responsibilities

• Manage and optimize General Ledger and Accounts Payable teams.
• Drive the global financial close processes ensuring integrity and accuracy.
• Lead initiatives leveraging automation and AI to enhance accuracy.

Skills

Leadership

Audit Compliance

Automation and AI

Financial Reporting

Education

Bachelor's degree in Accounting or Finance

Active CPA license

Tools

NetSuite

BlackLine software

Job description

Get to Know Us

It's fun to work in a company where people truly believe in what they're doing!

At BlackLine, we're committed to bringing passion and customer focus to the business of enterprise applications.

Since being founded in 2001, BlackLine has become a leading provider of cloud software that automates and controls the entire financial close process. Our vision is to modernize the finance and accounting function to enable greater operational effectiveness and agility, and we are committed to delivering innovative solutions and services to empower accounting and finance leaders around the world to achieve Modern Finance.

Being a best-in‑class SaaS Company, we understand that bringing in new ideas and innovative technology is mission critical. At BlackLine we are always working with new, cutting edge technology that encourages our teams to learn something new and expand their creativity and technical skillset that will accelerate their careers.

Work, Play and Grow at BlackLine!

Make Your Mark

BlackLine is seeking a transformative and strategic leader to join our finance organization as the Assistant Controller. This is a critical leadership role designed with a clear, 18‑month succession path to the Vice President, Corporate Controller position. The successful candidate will initially take direct ownership of core accounting operations, drive the global financial close, and prepare to absorb broader corporate reporting functions. This leader will mentor the existing accounting team, champion the adoption of automation and AI technologies, and ensure the scalability of BlackLine's global accounting function.

You’ll Get To

• Phased Operational Oversight & Close Management
  • Transition Period: Directly manage and optimize the General Ledger and Accounts Payable teams. Direct the global month‑end, quarter‑end, and year‑end financial close processes, ensuring absolute integrity, accuracy, and adherence to strict timelines.
  • Future Scope: Progressively assume control of the Financial Reporting and Payroll teams over the 18‑month succession timeline. (Note: Revenue, billing, commissions, and accounts receivable operate under a separate reporting structure).
• Strategic Leadership & Succession: Partner intimately with the current VP, Corporate Controller to ensure a seamless transfer of duties and institutional knowledge. Actively take on primary ownership of designated global accounting functions to ensure full readiness to step into the VP, Corporate Controller role within 18 months.
• Automation, AI, and Process Optimization: Champion a culture of continuous improvement. Lead initiatives to leverage automation, machine learning, and AI‑driven solutions to enhance accuracy, reduce manual effort, and accelerate the close process. Develop and execute a concrete strategy to increase AI fluency and technical capabilities across the accounting organization.
• Audit, Compliance & Internal Controls: Maintain and strengthen the internal control environment for all managed functions to safeguard company assets. Guarantee continuous compliance with US GAAP, SEC regulations, SOX 404 requirements, and all internal BlackLine corporate policies. Serve as the primary point of contact for internal and external auditors during quarterly reviews and annual audits.
• Team Development & Management: Direct, mentor, and elevate the performance of the accounting operations team. Actively assess team capabilities, address skill gaps, and implement targeted development plans to build a highly skilled, AI‑fluent team ready for scale.
• Cross‑Functional Partnership: Collaborate effectively with FP&A, Tax, Legal, and the broader revenue organization to support strategic company initiatives, M&A integrations, and new system implementations.

What You’ll Bring

• Education & Certification: Bachelor's degree in Accounting or Finance is required. An active CPA license is mandatory.
• Experience: 10–15 years of progressive accounting experience in a global environment, with at least 4+ years in a senior leadership capacity (Director or Senior Director level). Prior experience as an Assistant Controller or highly experienced Director of Accounting in a publicly traded SaaS or technology company is strongly preferred. Experience with a "Big 4" public accounting firm is highly desirable.
• Leadership Track Record: Demonstrated ability to lead, mentor, and develop high‑performing teams. Proven experience in assessing talent and managing team members to improve performance and operational readiness.
• Technical Expertise: Deep, expert‑level knowledge of US GAAP, SEC reporting requirements, and SOX 404 compliance. Hands‑on experience managing complex consolidations and multi‑currency environments.
• Operational & Technological Excellence: A proven track record of identifying inefficiencies and implementing technology, automation, or AI‑driven solutions to achieve scale. Experience with modern financial systems (e.g., NetSuite, BlackLine) is expected.
• Communication Skills: Executive‑level written and verbal communication skills with a demonstrated ability to distill complex financial and technical concepts for executive leadership, the Board of Directors, and cross‑functional stakeholders.

Thrive at BlackLine Because You Are Joining

• A technology‑based company with a sense of adventure and a vision for the future. Every door at BlackLine is open. Just bring your brains, your problem‑solving skills, and be part of a winning team at the world’s most trusted name in Finance Automation!
• A culture that is kind, open, and accepting. It’s a place where people can embrace what makes them unique, and the mix of cultural backgrounds and varying interests cultivates diverse thought and perspectives.
• A culture where BlackLiner’s continued growth and learning is empowered. BlackLine offers a wide variety of professional development seminars and inclusive affinity groups to celebrate and support our diversity.

BlackLine is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, gender identity or expression, race, ethnicity, age, religious creed, national origin, physical or mental disability, ancestry, color, marital status, sexual orientation, military or veteran status, status as a victim of domestic violence, sexual assault or stalking, medical condition, genetic information, or any other protected class or category recognized by applicable equal employment opportunity or other similar laws.

BlackLine recognizes that the ways we work and the workplace itself has shifted. We innovate in a workplace that optimizes a combination of virtual and in‑person interactions to maximize collaboration and nurture our culture. Candidates who live within a reasonable commute to one of our offices will work in the office at least 3 days a week.

Salary Range

USD $224,000.00/Yr. - USD $280,000.00/Yr.

Pay Transparency Statement

Placement within this range depends upon several factors, including the applicant's prior relevant job experience, skill set, and geographic location. In addition to base pay, BlackLine also offers short‑term and long‑term incentive programs, based on eligibility, along with a robust offering of benefit and wellness plans.

Accommodations

BlackLine is committed to creating an inclusive and accessible experience for all candidates. If you require a reasonable accommodation that would better enable your success during the application or interview process, please complete this form.