Controller

Vaco by Highspring; San Francisco (CA); Hybrid; USD 180,000 - 260,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical benefits

Dental benefits

Vision benefits

401(k) retirement plan

Job summary

Vaco by Highspring is seeking a strategic Controller in San Francisco to lead the accounting function and build scalable financial infrastructure for rapid growth.

The role requires strong GAAP knowledge, revenue recognition and stock-based compensation expertise, plus experience with external audits, controls, and ERP systems. Hybrid in-office schedule and collaboration with executive leadership are expected.

Qualifications

• 12+ years of progressive accounting experience, including public accounting and leadership in a high-growth tech environment.
• Strong knowledge of U.S. GAAP with expertise in revenue recognition and stock-based compensation accounting.
• Experience managing external audits, internal controls, and audit-readiness initiatives.
• Experience implementing or managing ERP systems and driving automation improvements.
• CPA preferred; ability to communicate technical accounting conclusions to leadership.

Responsibilities

• Lead monthly and quarterly close processes with timely, well-documented financial reporting.
• Research, document, and apply technical accounting guidance on revenue recognition, equity compensation, and complex transactions.
• Oversee stock-based compensation accounting, valuation coordination, and equity reporting activities.
• Design, implement, and strengthen internal controls, policies, and audit-ready processes for scalability.
• Manage external audit and tax-provider relationships, including coordination and issue resolution.
• Evaluate, implement, and optimize ERP systems and accounting workflows; drive automation initiatives.
• Partner with Finance, Legal, and operations to ensure proper accounting of contracts and transactions.
• Lead and develop accounting team while establishing scalable reporting standards.

Skills

GAAP knowledge

Revenue recognition

Stock-based compensation

Audit coordination

Leadership

ERP systems

Education

Certified Public Accountant (CPA)

Public accounting experience

Tools

SAP

Workday

Oracle ERP

Job description

Controller

Our client, a high-growth artificial intelligence software company, is seeking a Controller to lead the accounting function and help build the financial infrastructure required to support continued growth.

Location

San Francisco, CA. This role is hybrid, with an expectation of 2-3 days per week in the office.

Job Description

This highly visible role will oversee core accounting operations, technical accounting, audit readiness, internal controls, and financial systems while partnering closely with executive leadership. The ideal candidate is both strategic and hands‑on, with the ability to build scalable processes in a fast‑paced environment.

Responsibilities

• Lead the monthly and quarterly close process, ensuring timely, accurate, and well‑documented financial reporting.
• Research, document, and apply technical accounting guidance related to revenue recognition, equity compensation, and other complex transactions.
• Oversee stock‑based compensation accounting, valuation coordination, and equity‑related reporting activities.
• Design, implement, and strengthen internal controls, accounting policies, and audit‑ready processes that support future scalability.
• Manage external audit and tax‑provider relationships, including audit coordination, compliance activities, and timely issue resolution.
• Evaluate, implement, and optimize ERP systems, accounting workflows, and automation initiatives.
• Partner with Finance, Legal, and operational teams to ensure contracts, transactions, and business activities are accounted for appropriately.
• Lead and develop accounting team members while establishing scalable processes and reporting standards.

Requirements

• 12+ years of progressive accounting experience, including public accounting and leadership experience within a high‑growth technology environment.
• Strong knowledge of U.S. GAAP, with significant expertise in revenue recognition and stock‑based compensation accounting.
• Experience managing external audits, building internal controls, and supporting audit‑readiness initiatives.
• Experience implementing or managing ERP systems and improving accounting processes through automation and systems enhancements.
• CPA preferred, with the ability to communicate technical accounting conclusions to executive leadership and other stakeholders.

Compensation

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 certifications;
• Office location and other geographic considerations;
• Other business and organizational needs.

With that said, as required by local law in geographies that require salary range disclosure, Vaco by Highspring notes that 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.

Equal Opportunity Notice

Highspring LLC (d/b/a Vaco by Highspring) and its parents, affiliates, and subsidiaries ("we," "our," or "Vaco by Highspring") are committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals 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 applicable law. The company is also committed to ensuring that persons who need them are provided with reasonable accommodations; if an accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, please contact [e-mail].

Vaco by Highspring also wants all applicants to know their rights that workplace discrimination is illegal.

Privacy Notice

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 and UK GDPR may access our policies here.

Additionally, 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. More details about Vaco by Highspring's use of AI can be found here https://www.highspring.com/ai-use-notices/. Further assessment of candidates beyond this initial phase will be conducted by recruiters and hiring managers. Vaco by Highspring does not know and cannot opine on if its client's use of AI products in hiring.

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; and
• 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 and/or participation in medical, dental, and vision benefits as well as the company's retirement plan (or similar retirement benefits).