Controller

BetterLesson; United States; On-site; USD 130,000 - 170,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health and other employee benefits

Equity in the business

Flexible schedule and vacation policy

Job summary

An educational organization is seeking a Controller to enhance core accounting processes and support financial operations. This role demands expertise in GAAP and financial reporting along with strong leadership skills. The ideal candidate will manage month-end close activities, oversee compliance, and drive budgeting efforts, all with a focus on improving educational outcomes.

Qualifications

• 7+ years of progressive accounting experience, with at least 3 years in a leadership role.
• Experience managing teams comprised of employees, vendors, or both.
• Strong understanding of GAAP, internal controls, and financial reporting.

Responsibilities

• Manage general ledger, revenue recognition, and month-end close activities.
• Deliver accurate and timely financial statements.
• Maintain and administer finance systems ensuring data accuracy.

Skills

GAAP knowledge

Financial reporting

Leadership

Cross-functional collaboration

Advanced Excel/Google Sheets

Vendor management

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field

CPA

Tools

NetSuite

Airbase

Job description

Overview

Join to apply for the Controller role at BetterLesson. The Controller will own and enhance the company’s core accounting processes while supporting broader finance operations. This role is ideal for an experienced accounting professional who is ready to take on a blend of hands-on accounting work, operational oversight, and process improvement. The Controller will lead month-end close activities in collaboration with external accounting partners, ensure accurate financial reporting in compliance with GAAP, document and improve internal controls, oversee accounts payable and accounts receivable functions, and support compliance filings. They will eventually work closely with the SVP of Finance to support budgeting, forecasting, and system optimization.

The Controller will serve as a steward of disciplined, investor-ready financial operations. Financial sustainability and clarity are a critical part of advancing our company’s mission to strengthen public education and improve outcomes for all students.

The base salary range for this role is $130,000-$170,000/year. The compensation offered will depend on relevant education, training, experience, and job-related skills, as well as equity with other team members.

Responsibilities

• Accounting: Manage general ledger, revenue recognition, order-to-cash, accounts payable, accounts receivable, payroll, and month-end close in partnership with key vendors (e.g., Alpine, Graphite). Ensure compliance with GAAP, internal controls, and company policies. Manage annual audit, tax filings, and banking relationships.
• Financial Reporting: Deliver accurate and timely monthly, quarterly, and annual financial statements and support investor reporting with precise and reliable financial data. Manage cash and revenue forecasting processes, including regular reporting to the Executive Leadership Team.
• Finance Operations & Systems: Maintain and administer finance systems (e.g., NetSuite, Airbase), ensuring data accuracy and integrity. Collaborate with cross-functional stakeholders to streamline workflows and expand access to timely, actionable financial data.
• Budgeting & Compliance: Partner with the Executive Leadership Team to define and track annual budgets. Monitor compliance with state and federal regulations, including business registrations and reporting. Ensure proper documentation for all financial processes and compliance requirements. Define and enforce internal financial controls.

About You

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field (CPA strongly preferred)
• Strong understanding of GAAP, internal controls, and financial reporting
• Proficiency with accounting/ERP systems (NetSuite preferred) and advanced Excel/Google Sheets
• Mission orientation and interest in supporting K–12 education systems
• Experience managing vendors or cross-functional stakeholders
• Strong leadership, communication, and cross-functional collaboration skills
• 7+ years of progressive accounting experience, with at least 3 years in a leadership role
• 2+ years of experience managing teams comprised of employees, vendors, or both
• Experience with revenue recognition for services and multi-element arrangements (ASC 606)
• Demonstrated ability to build scalable systems and processes that satisfy both operational needs and investor expectations
• Exposure to tech-enabled services businesses
• Experience in a middle-market, private equity-backed, or growth-oriented company

We Can Offer You

• The opportunity to work with an awesome team to solve important problems.
• A competitive salary.
• Health and other employee benefits.
• Equity in the business you are helping to build.
• A flexible schedule and vacation policy.
• The opportunity to spend every day working to improve outcomes for teachers and students.