Controller

Burnbot; South San Francisco (CA); Hybrid; USD 150,000 - 175,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Equity - Stock Options

Health, dental, and vision

Flexible paid time off

Job summary

BurnBot in South San Francisco is hiring its first Controller to own the accounting function as we scale. You will close the books in QuickBooks Online and build scalable processes to support growth, fundraising, and lender reporting, working closely with the CFO and field teams in a hybrid environment.

This hands-on role covers project accounting, fixed assets, revenue recognition, contracts, and audits. You’ll design controls, lead the finance team, and help migrate to a more scalable ERP when

Qualifications

• 5+ years of accounting experience, incl. public accounting (Big 4 or regional).
• 2+ years in a controller/assistant controller role; CPA preferred.
• Hands-on QuickBooks Online with project tracking and locations.
• Experience with project-based accounting in field-heavy industries.
• Strong knowledge of ASC 606, fixed assets, ASC 842 lease accounting.
• Experience supporting audits and lender reporting; multi-state payroll.
• Startup or high-growth experience; ability to build processes.
• Advanced Excel/Google Sheets; Claude skills.

Responsibilities

• Close monthly, quarterly, and annual books in QuickBooks Online within 10 business days.
• Streamline close with AI automation to shorten days-to-close.
• Prepare GAAP financial statements, including segment reporting by region.
• Deliver monthly management reports for board, investors, and lenders.
• Own consolidation with domestic and international subsidiaries using Syft.

Skills

Public accounting

CPA

QuickBooks Online

Project accounting

ASC 606

ASC 842

Excel / Google Sheets

Lenders reporting

Multi-state payroll

Tools

Syft online

QuickBooks Online

Job description

• Location: 340 Shaw Rd, South San Francisco, CA, 94080, United States
• Base Pay: $150,000.00 - $175,000.00 / Year
• Employee Type: Exempt (FT)

About BurnBot

BurnBot was built by fire practitioners, scientists, and foresters to tackle one of today’s toughest challenges: reducing fuels at the pace and scale needed to protect people, communities, and landscapes.

From fire mitigation and fuels management to timber operations, we deliver safe, precise, and holistic solutions. Whether protecting powerlines, homes, forests, or habitats, our approach combines innovation and partnership to meet today’s wildfire risks with confidence.

The Role

We’re hiring our first Controller to own the accounting function as we scale. You’ll take a lean, QuickBooks-based finance operation and build it into a scalable, audit-ready function that supports growth, fundraising, and lender reporting. This is a hands‑on role: you’ll close the books yourself with a small team while designing the processes, controls, and systems we’ll need as the company grows. You’ll partner closely with the CFO, operations leaders, and field teams. This role offers a hybrid work model, allowing for flexibility between remote and in-office work, based in our South San Francisco Headquarters

What You’ll Do

Close and reporting

• Own the monthly, quarterly, and annual close in QuickBooks Online, with a goal of a reliable close within 10 business days
• Streamline the close process through AI automation to reduce the number of days to close
• Prepare accurate GAAP financial statements, including segment reporting by business line and region
• Deliver monthly management reporting and support board, investor, and lender packages
• Own consolidation of monthly, quarterly and annual books with domestic and international subsidiaries using Syft online software

Project and revenue accounting

• Build and maintain project-level job costing across regions
• Manage revenue recognition for Per-Acre, T&M and other service contracts, including government and grant-funded work
• Track contract billing and work-in-progress

Fixed assets and equipment

• Maintain the fixed asset register across all asset classes, including field equipment, R&D equipment, vehicles and trailers, and construction in progress
• Apply capitalization policy for internally built equipment, including transfers from R&D to field use and depreciation start dates
• Own debt and lease accounting, including term loans, revolving credit lines, and equipment financing (amortization schedules, interest accruals, debt issuance costs, and classification between current and long‑term), as well as ASC 842 lease accounting for real estate, vehicles, and equipment leases

Cash, AR, and debt compliance

• Oversee billing, collections, AP, and payroll accounting across multiple states
• Prepare borrowing base certificates and covenant compliance reporting for credit facilities
• Manage cash forecasting inputs and bank reconciliations

Controls, audit, and tax

• Design and document internal controls appropriate for a growing venture‑backed company
• Lead the annual financial statement audit and coordinate with outside CPAs on income, sales/use, and property tax filings
• Manage multi‑state compliance, including payroll registrations and 1099 reporting

Systems and scale

• Optimize QuickBooks and Syft setup (chart of accounts, classes, locations, project tracking) and integrate supporting tools for expenses, AP, and payroll
• Evaluate and lead the eventual migration to a more scalable ERP when the time is right
• Hire and develop accounting staff as the team grows

What You’ll Bring

• 5+ years of accounting experience, including public accounting (Big 4 or regional firm) and 2+ years in a controller or assistant controller role
• CPA strongly preferred
• Deep, hands‑on QuickBooks Online expertise, including classes, locations, and project tracking
• Experience with project-based accounting in construction, field services, energy, or similar operations‑heavy industries
• Strong grasp of ASC 606, fixed asset accounting, and capitalization of internally developed equipment and ASC 842, lease accounting
• Experience supporting an audit and working with lenders on borrowing base and covenant reporting
• Startup or high‑growth experience; comfortable building process where none exists
• Advanced Excel / Google Sheets and Claude skills

Nice to Have

• Experience with government contracts or grant accounting (including Uniform Guidance)
• Venture‑backed fundraising diligence
• Multi‑state payroll or ERP implementation

Compensation & Benefits

Base salary: $150,000 - $175,000 - final offers reflect experience and demonstrated scope.

• Equity - Stock Options
• Health, dental, and vision
• Flexible paid time off

Physical Requirements & Working Conditions

This position is based in an office and shop environment and includes periodic travel to field sites in California, Oregon, and Washington. Essential functions include: operating a computer for extended periods; communicating effectively in person, in writing, and by radio or phone; traveling by vehicle and by air to remote work sites; walking and standing on uneven, sloped, or unimproved terrain; working outdoors in variable weather, including heat, cold, dust, and smoke; wearing required personal protective equipment, including fire‑resistant clothing, hard hat, eye protection, and safety footwear; and occasionally lifting and carrying up to 25 pounds.

BurnBot provides reasonable accommodation to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this role. To request an accommodation, contact [e-mail] or [phone] x 1010.

BurnBot is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We do not discriminate on the basis of race (including traits historically associated with race, such as hair texture and protective hairstyles), color, religion or religious creed, national origin, ancestry, citizenship or immigration status, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding, and related medical conditions), gender, gender identity, gender expression, transgender status, sexual stereotypes, sexual orientation, marital or familial status, registered domestic partner status, age (40 and over), physical or mental disability, medical condition, genetic information or characteristics, military or veteran status, status as a protected or honorably discharged veteran, reproductive health decisionmaking, primary language, status as a victim of domestic violence, sexual assault, or stalking, request for family care or medical leave, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law, or any combination of these characteristics.

Employment is contingent on satisfactory completion of a background check and a pre‑employment drug screen, conducted after a conditional offer of employment and in accordance with applicable federal, state, and local law, including fair chance laws under which qualified applicants with arrest or conviction records are considered for employment.

If you need assistance or a reasonable accommodation to participate in the application or interview process, please contact us at [phone] x 1010 or [e-mail].