Assistant Controller

Phaxis; New York (NY); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Phaxis is assisting a fast-growing, regulated financial services client in New York. The Assistant Controller will own US GAAP close for multiple entities, strengthen SOX controls, and lead technical accounting on ASC 606, ASC 805, and ASC 350-60.

Reporting to the Controller, you will partner with legal and compliance on regulatory filings (including CFTC), mentor junior staff, and drive scalable accounting infrastructure to support a high-volume fintech environment.

Qualifications

• Active CPA license required.
• 8-15 years of progressive accounting experience in banking, fintech, or regulated financial services.
• Hands-on experience in high transaction volume environments, including crypto on-ramps and crypto settlements.
• Experience with SOX compliance and US regulatory filings (CFTC).
• Strong Excel skills; ability to explain complex GAAP positions to non‑accountants.
• Big 4 experience strongly preferred.
• Experience with accounting system implementations is a plus.
• SQL skills are a plus.
• Prior startup experience building accounting infrastructure is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Own the monthly, quarterly, and annual close process end to end under US GAAP for multiple entities.
• Maintain and expand the SOX control environment and address control gaps.
• Apply ASC 606, ASC 805, and ASC 350-60 in complex areas independently.
• Prepare and document technical accounting conclusions for internal and external audiences.
• Partner with the Controller, legal, and compliance on US regulatory filings including CFTC.
• Scope and implement accounting system improvements and scalable workflows.
• Collaborate with product, legal, and business teams on new product launches and M&A activity.
• Manage and mentor junior accounting staff.

Skills

CPA license

Excel proficiency

GAAP knowledge

SQL skills

Education

Bachelor's degree in Accounting or Finance

Job description

Our client is a fast-growing, regulated financial services company building the infrastructure to support a complex, high-volume business at scale. The finance team is small, high-output, and highly collaborative, with each team member owning their area of responsibility end to end.

The company operates in a highly regulated environment with significant transaction volume, crypto settlement flows, and active CFTC obligations. The accounting function is continuing to evolve alongside the business, creating an opportunity for an experienced accounting leader to build scalable processes, strengthen controls, and take ownership of complex technical accounting matters.

About the Role

Assistant ControllerAbout the Company

Our client is a fast-growing, regulated financial services company building the infrastructure to support a complex, high-volume business at scale. The finance team is small, high-output, and highly collaborative, with each team member owning their area of responsibility end to end.

The company operates in a highly regulated environment with significant transaction volume, crypto settlement flows, and active CFTC obligations. The accounting function is continuing to evolve alongside the business, creating an opportunity for an experienced accounting leader to build scalable processes, strengthen controls, and take ownership of complex technical accounting matters.

About the Role

Reporting directly to the Controller, the Assistant Controller will be a critical member of the finance organization. This individual will be responsible for maintaining a strong and accurate close process while helping build and improve the company's accounting infrastructure.

The mandate is twofold: keep the close tight and build something that lasts. This includes owning US GAAP reporting across multiple entities, maintaining and expanding the SOX control environment, identifying process gaps, and ensuring the accounting function keeps pace with a rapidly evolving business.

The ideal candidate is a CPA with deep fintech or financial services experience and strong technical accounting expertise, including the ability to independently apply ASC 606, ASC 805, and ASC 350-60.

What You'll Do

• Own the monthly, quarterly, and annual close process end to end under US GAAP, including consolidated financials and statutory filings for subsidiaries


• Maintain and expand the SOX control environment, identifying control gaps before they become audit findings


• Apply technical accounting standards independently across complex areas including revenue recognition (ASC 606), business combinations (ASC 805), and intangibles and crypto assets (ASC 350-60)


• Prepare and document technical accounting conclusions clearly for both internal and external audiences


• Partner with the Controller and legal and compliance teams on CFTC and other US regulatory filings, ensuring accuracy and timeliness


• Scope and implement accounting system improvements, identify process gaps, and build scalable workflows


• Collaborate with product, legal, and business teams on new product launches, M&A activity, and monetization changes, providing accounting guidance before decisions are made


• Manage and mentor junior accounting staff, setting a high bar for quality and helping the team grow

What We're Looking For

• Active CPA license required


• 8-15 years of progressive accounting experience, with meaningful experience in banking, fintech, or regulated financial services


• Hands‑on experience in high transaction volume environments, including crypto on‑ramps, stablecoin settlements, and fiat integrations


• Experience with reconciliation workflows and error‑rate management


• Demonstrated technical GAAP expertise across ASC 606, ASC 805, and ASC 350-60, applied independently in real‑world situations


• Direct experience with SOX compliance, including building and maintaining controls rather than simply operating within them


• Direct experience with CFTC and other US financial regulatory filings


• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to explain complex accounting positions to non‑accounting stakeholders


• Management experience from a Big 4 firm strongly preferred


• Bachelor's degree in Accounting or Finance


• Strong command of Microsoft Excel


• Experience with accounting system implementations from scoping through go‑live is a plus


• SQL skills are a plus


• Prior experience at a high‑growth startup where accounting infrastructure was still being built is a plus