Head of Accounting & Controls - Hardware Startup

Fab2; Austin (TX); On-site; USD 200,000 - 250,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Healthcare

Paid Time Off

Visa sponsorship

Life Insurance

Parental Leave

401(k) plan

Learning & Development

Commuter Benefits

Office meals

Job summary

fab2, an early-stage hardware startup, is seeking its first dedicated accounting leader. The Controller will own the accounting function, close processes, and build the financial foundations for growth.

You will partner with Finance, Operations, and leadership to scale accounting infrastructure, implement controls, and ensure audit readiness.

This high-ownership role requires comfort with ambiguity, strong cross-functional communication, and the ability to build processes from the ground up.

Qualifications

• CPA certification required; Big 4 or equivalent national firm experience strongly preferred.
• Experience leading or preparing for external audits, including managing auditor relationships, documentation, and support schedules.
• Background in hardware, manufacturing, capital equipment, or another inventory-heavy environment.
• Deep expertise in inventory accounting, standard costing, WIP, COGS, reserves, R&D, and fixed asset accounting.
• Proven ability to build accounting processes, controls, and policies in a growing company.
• Hands‑on leading ERP implementations with strong cross‑functional modules, including MES, PLM, and inventory management tools.
• Strong GAAP expertise, including ASC 606, 330, 460, 842, 718, 730.
• Proactive and hands‑on: comfort operating in a fast-moving, ambiguous environment.
• Strong cross‑functional communicator: you have the ability to translate accounting requirements for engineering, operations, leadership, and other non‑finance stakeholders alike.
• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Economics, Mathematics, or a related technical discipline.

Responsibilities

• Own accounting operations for end-to-end processes including GL, AP, payroll, accruals, fixed assets, and inventory.
• Lead monthly, quarterly, and annual close processes with timelines, reconciliations, review controls, and reporting packages.
• Build and maintain scalable accounting policies, processes, and controls that support accuracy, compliance, and operational efficiency.
• Develop the accounting infrastructure for hardware/manufacturing, including inventory accounting, WIP, COGS, costing methodology, reserves, physical inventory processes, R&D, and capex/fixed asset accounting.
• Evaluate, implement, and scale accounting systems and tools, including ERP, AP/AR automation, expense management, and close management systems.
• Own audit readiness and core accounting operations, including external audit coordination, treasury, tax filings, registrations, and vendor management.
• Work cross-functionally with Finance, Operations, Legal, and leadership to translate accounting requirements into practical business processes.
• Build and lead the accounting team over time, including hiring, developing, and managing future team members.

Skills

CPA certification

Audit readiness

ERP implementations

GAAP expertise

Inventory accounting

Cross-functional communication

Manufacturing/Hardware

Education

Bachelor's degree in Accounting/Finance

Tools

ERP systems

MES/PLM integration

Job description

fab2, an early-stage hardware startup, is seeking its first dedicated accounting leader. The Controller will own the accounting function, close processes, and build the financial foundations for growth.

You will partner with Finance, Operations, and leadership to scale accounting infrastructure, implement controls, and ensure audit readiness.

This high-ownership role requires comfort with ambiguity, strong cross-functional communication, and the ability to build processes from the ground up.