Controller

About the role

This role is responsible for the integrity of Slang AI's books, the rhythm of its close, and the readiness of its financials for internal and external stakeholders. The Controller will lead the first third-party audit from end-to-end, build the controls and processes that will survive scrutiny, and design an accounting operation capable of closing the books faster.

Responsibilities

• Own the end-to-end month-end close, driving accuracy, timeliness, and continuous improvement
• Drive the close calendar from monthly toward a faster cadence—with an ambition toward a near-daily close
• Own technical accounting positions, memos, and policies across ASC 606 (revenue), ASC 350-40 (software capitalization), and ASC 718 (stock comp)
• Prepare GAAP financial statements and supporting schedules for leadership, the Board, and external stakeholders
• Lead the first audit from the ground up—planning, PBC management, auditor relationship, and resolution of findings
• Design and implement the internal controls environment—segregation of duties, approval thresholds, documentation standards
• Proactively identify and remediate audit risk areas, especially revenue recognition, software capitalization, stock comp, and accruals
• Build the muscle to pass future audits faster and more cheaply every year
• Modernize the tech stack by leading the migration from QuickBooks Online to a modern ERP (Rillet or similar) designed for speed and automation
• Integrate the accounting stack across Rippling (payroll, T&E, vendor spend), CommerceHub (quote-to-cash), Invoice Butler (collections), and HubSpot
• Treat the accounting operation as a system—not a series of spreadsheets
• Own revenue accounting under ASC 606, including contract review, performance obligations, deferred revenue, and revenue recognition logic
• Oversee the quote-to-cash process run through CommerceHub with third-party and offshore accounting support
• Manage escalations from Invoice Butler (collections partner) and ensure the AR aging is healthy
• Partner with Sales and Customer Experience to resolve billing disputes and improve invoice accuracy
• Design and enforce vendor spend and T&E policies—building controls into Rippling and approval workflows
• Partner with the Head of Finance on budget enforcement, accrual quality, and P&L discipline
• Build reporting that gives department leaders visibility into their spend in real time
• Classify costs correctly across COGS, R&D, S&M, and G&A—with a particular eye toward software capitalization decisions
• Own the relationship with external tax providers, ensuring timely and accurate federal, state, and sales tax compliance
• Oversee payroll accounting via Rippling, including commissions, bonuses, and equity-related payroll implications
• Manage equity and cap table accounting (ASC 718), including stock compensation expense and reconciliation with the cap table of record
• Execute against the cash management plan set by the Head of Finance
• Manage and develop Shreya Menon as the core in-house accountant
• Manage the offshore accounting team—designing SOPs, QA processes, and escalation paths for administrative work in HubSpot, Rippling, and Invoice Butler
• Hire and mentor future accounting talent, including the planned Assistant Controller
• Coach the team on AI-augmented workflows and process discipline

Requirements

• Active or inactive CPA license
• 5–10 years of progressive corporate accounting experience at early-stage, venture-backed startups
• Public accounting experience (Big 4 or mid-tier audit background required)
• Proven track record of successfully running an external audit process from end-to-end
• Deep expertise in GAAP revenue accounting and ASC 606
• Hands-on mastery of month-end close, including accruals, reconciliations, and flux analysis
• Software capitalization accounting (ASC 350-40) experience
• Process and internal controls design experience
• People management experience—including managing in-house staff and offshore teams
• Hands-on experience with Rippling (payroll, T&E, vendor spend)
• AI-forward mindset: actively using or piloting LLMs to accelerate accounting workflows
• Equity and cap table accounting knowledge (ASC 718)
• Bias toward automation, clarity, and leverage

Bonus Points

• Prior Controller or Assistant Controller role at a Series A–C SaaS company
• Experience implementing a modern ERP from scratch (Rillet, NetSuite, Sage Intacct)
• Knowledge of Stripe, HubSpot, and CommerceHub in a quote-to-cash and revenue accounting context
• Experience interfacing directly with Big 4 or top-tier audit firms during a company's first audit
• Experience with subscription billing and revenue automation tools (Chargebee, Maxio)
• Experience with cap table platforms (Carta, Pulley) and ASC 718 stock comp modeling
• Track record of building and leading offshore or outsourced accounting teams

Pay

$180,000 base salary, $20,000 bonus, and equity included in offer package.

Schedule

This is a hybrid role based in the NYC area, with a 3 days per week in our Financial District office (T,W,Th).

Benefits

• Health Insurance
• Dental Insurance
• 401(k)
• Paid Time Off (PTO)
• Paid Holidays
• Vision Insurance
• Remote Work
• Sick Leave
• Life Insurance
• Bonus
• Parental Leave