Assistant Controller - Scale Finances in a Startup

Gridware; San Francisco, Northern (CA, KY); Hybrid; USD 165,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health coverage

Dental coverage

Vision coverage

Parental leave

Off the Grid break

Commuter allowance

Company training

Job summary

Gridware is seeking an Assistant Controller to join a lean finance team in San Francisco. You will work closely with the CFO to build and manage core accounting infrastructure, establishing scalable processes while handling day-to-day close.

This role offers hands-on responsibility and a path to a Controller position as the company scales, with opportunities to implement systems and drive internal controls in a fast-paced startup environment.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of progressive accounting experience, including some combination of public accounting (Big 4 or regional) and industry experience.
• CPA preferred
• Deep knowledge of GAAP and technical accounting, specifically ASC 606 revenue recognition for bundled hardware and software subscriptions.
• ASC 330 inventory/COGS experience in bundled offerings.
• Experience owning or heavily contributing to a monthly close process.
• Tax experience (income, sales & use, payroll) is valuable.
• Comfortable operating with limited infrastructure and building processes from scratch.
• Detail-oriented with strong organizational and project management skills.
• Excellent communication across functions and with non-finance stakeholders.
• Experience with NetSuite, QuickBooks, Bill.com, Ramp, Rippling, etc.
• Startup or high-growth experience strongly preferred.
• Builder mindset—thrive in ambiguity and shaping a function.

Responsibilities

• Own the monthly, quarterly, and annual close process, ensuring accuracy and timeliness.
• Manage accounting staff (or outsourced resources) or oversee bookkeeping partnerships.
• Prepare and review journal entries, reconciliations, and financial statements.
• Ensure GAAP compliance and help establish accounting policies as the company grows.
• Own ASC 606 revenue recognition across hardware, software subscriptions, and services.
• Oversee deferred revenue and contract balances.
• Manage inventory from an ASC 330 perspective.
• Support the CFO in building scalable finance systems, processes, and internal controls.
• Manage AP/AR, payroll accounting, and cash management processes.
• Support audit readiness and manage relationships with external auditors and tax advisers.
• Help prepare board materials and investor reporting.
• Assist with forecasting and variance analysis.
• Evaluate and implement accounting systems/tools to support scale.
• Ensure compliance with multi-state tax, sales tax, and other regulatory requirements.

Skills

5+ years accounting experience

GAAP knowledge

ASC 606 revenue recognition

ASC 330 inventory

Financial close ownership

Tax experience

Startup / high-growth

Communication skills

Tech-savvy

Leadership / mentoring

Education

CPA preferred

Tools

NetSuite

QuickBooks

Bill.com

Ramp

Rippling

Job description

Gridware is seeking an Assistant Controller to join a lean finance team in San Francisco. You will work closely with the CFO to build and manage core accounting infrastructure, establishing scalable processes while handling day-to-day close.

This role offers hands-on responsibility and a path to a Controller position as the company scales, with opportunities to implement systems and drive internal controls in a fast-paced startup environment.