Head of Accounting

Mason & Blair, LLC; California (MO); Hybrid; USD 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Job summary

Mason & Blair, LLC, a premier Accounting and Finance search firm in the Bay Area, seeks a hands-on Head of Accounting to lead the function end-to-end. Hybrid work on the Peninsula.

You will shape processes, systems, and culture as the finance organization scales, reporting to the VP Finance and partnering with leadership to drive scalable, compliant financial operations.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree and 10+ years of progressive finance and accounting experience.
• Strong command of U.S. GAAP and financial reporting.
• Experience building scalable accounting processes and ERP implementation.
• Hands-on systems experience; migration from QuickBooks Online to ERP; experience with AI-enabled ERP.

Responsibilities

• Own month-end, quarter-end, and year-end close across GL, AP, AR, payroll, and fixed assets.
• Serve as technical accounting resource on ASC 842, ASC 606, ASC 718 and grant/collaboration accounting.
• Manage annual financial statement audit end to end; coordinate tax compliance with external advisors.
• Oversee outsourced accounting partner and internal close processes.
• Design and document internal controls and accounting policies for a scalable organization.
• Manage cash, treasury, and runway; oversee banking relationships and cash flow.
• Prepare lender reporting and covenant compliance; manage debt facility.
• Partner with VP Finance & Accounting on board/investor reporting.
• Lead ERP selection and automation initiatives to improve speed and reliability.

Skills

GAAP knowledge

Financial reporting

Internal controls

ERP implementation

QuickBooks Online

AI-enabled ERP

Leadership

Education

Bachelor's degree in Accounting/Finance

10+ years of experience in finance/accounting

Tools

ERP systems

QuickBooks Online

AI ERP tools

Job description

Mason & Blair, LLC. A premier Accounting and Finance search firm in the Bay Area, has teamed with a great startup client of ours for their first accounting hire, a Head of Accounting.This role is hybrid work on the Peninsula.

This role is a hands-on accounting leader who will manage the accounting function end to end as we scale. You will work closely with the VP Finance and the broader leadership team, and you will help shape the processes, systems, and culture of our finance organization as it matures from scrappy to scalable.

• Close and reporting: Own the month-end, quarter-end, and year-end close across the general ledger, AP, AR, payroll, and fixed assets, and deliver accurate, timely financial statements in accordance with U.S. GAAP.
• Technical accounting: Serve as the company's technical accounting resource, researching and documenting positions on areas most relevant to us, including lease accounting (ASC 842), revenue recognition (ASC 606), stock-based compensation (ASC 718), and grant and collaboration accounting tied to our funded research and partnerships.
• Audit and tax: Manage the annual financial statement audit end to end, own auditor relationships and PBC schedules, and coordinate federal, state, and local tax compliance with our external advisors.
• Oversee and direct our outsourced accounting partner, holding them to a high standard on the close, reconciliations, and reporting, and owning the internal work that feeds them.
• Controls and process: Design and document internal controls, accounting policies, and repeatable procedures that fit a fast-growing company and will hold up under scrutiny.
• Cash, treasury, and runway: Own cash management, the weekly cash flow cycle, banking relationships, working capital, and burn and runway visibility that leadership can rely on.
• Lender and covenant reporting: Prepare and deliver reporting to our lenders and manage covenant compliance and draw mechanics on our debt facility.
• Board and investor support: Partner with the VP Finance & Accounting on board and investor reporting, financing readiness, and clean, consistent metrics that make the story and the numbers match.
• Systems and automation: Lead the selection and implementation of a scalable ERP, rationalize the chart of accounts, tighten the close, and bring in automation and AI-enabled tools to make the function faster and more reliable.

Skills and Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree and over 10 years of progressive finance and accounting experience, including time in a Controller, Assistant Controller, or Director-level role.
• Strong command of U.S. GAAP, financial reporting, and internal controls, with real facility in the technical areas that matter to us (ASC 842, 606, and 718, plus grant and collaboration accounting).
• Demonstrated ability to build scalable accounting processes and systems in a growing company, including ERP selection or implementation experience.
• Hands-on systems experience. Currently on QuickBooks Online but need to migrate to an ERP. Experience with a modern AI ERP