Controller / Director of Accounting (Austin,TX)

About the role

As the Controller / Director of Accounting at Homeward, you will own all accounting operations at a high-growth company backed by leading investors. This is a high-impact leadership role that sits at the intersection of technical accounting rigor and strategic business partnership. You’ll drive the integrity of our financial reporting, build and mentor a high-performing team, and help shape the systems and processes that will carry us through our next stage of growth.

Responsibilities

• Own the month-end, quarter-end, and year-end close processes – ensuring they are timely, accurate, and continuously improving in efficiency.
• Prepare and review GAAP-compliant financial statements – including balance sheet, P&L, cash flow statement, and all required footnote disclosures.
• Deliver clear, insightful financial reporting packages to the CFO, executive team, and external parties on a regular cadence.
• Maintain a well-documented close calendar with accountability across the accounting team.
• Lead external audit relationships with our Big-4 firm and regional audit partners from planning through final issuance – on time and without significant findings.
• Ensure ongoing compliance with regulatory requirements, lender covenants, and other reporting obligations.
• Establish, maintain, and continuously strengthen internal controls and accounting policies; build towards SOX-readiness as the company scales.
• Partner with an external tax firm on federal, state, and local tax compliance and planning.
• Serve as in-house technical accounting authority, providing guidance on complex areas including revenue recognition (ASC 606), leases (ASC 842), receivables (ASC 310), debt issuance costs (ASC 835), and warrant classification (ASC 815).
• Draft and maintain technical accounting memos and position papers to document judgments and conclusions.
• Stay current on new and proposed accounting standards and assess their impact on Homeward’s financial reporting.
• Partner closely with FP&A, Business Intelligence, Legal, Growth, Product, and Technology teams on budgeting, forecasting, strategic planning, tool development, and more.
• Support cash flow management, banking and treasury functions, and working capital optimization.
• Provide accounting and financial due diligence support for potential financing transactions, partnerships, or other strategic initiatives.
• Translate complex accounting concepts for non-accounting audiences, enabling better business decisions across the company.
• Lead, mentor, and develop an accounting team spanning staff accountants through Assistant Controller – cultivating a culture of excellence, ownership, and continuous learning.
• Set clear goals and provide regular, actionable feedback; support career development and retention of top talent.
• Build team capacity and structure to support Homeward’s growth, including hiring as needed.
• Drive process improvement and automation initiatives to increase the speed, accuracy, and scalability of accounting operations.
• Lead or support financial system integrations (NetSuite experience highly valued).
• Document and standardize accounting processes and policies to support a growing, distributed team.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field; CPA strongly preferred.
• 10+ years of progressive accounting experience, with a mix of public accounting and industry experience.
• Proven track record leading and developing accounting teams in a high-growth environment.
• Deep knowledge of US GAAP, including experience navigating complex technical accounting matters.
• Experience managing external audits with Big-4 or equivalent firms.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with exceptional attention to detail and the ability to zoom out to the big picture.
• Excellent communicator – able to present financial information clearly to both technical and non-technical audiences.
• ERP proficiency; NetSuite experience strongly preferred.
• Familiarity with SOX compliance and internal control frameworks.

Preferred

• Experience in real estate, mortgage, fintech, or financial services industries.
• Background in private equity-backed or venture-backed companies.
• Experience with lender covenant reporting and compliance in a debt-financed business.
• Track record of leading or contributing to automation initiatives.
• Exposure to cash management in a capital-intensive business.

Pay & Benefits

• $170k - $180k base salary.
• Annual performance bonus eligibility.
• Meaningful equity grant – stock options with real upside potential.
• Comprehensive medical, dental, vision, and life insurance coverage – with company contributions towards premiums.
• Meaningful time off – including 20 days of paid vacation, 5 sick days, 12 company holidays, and 2 floating holidays.
• Generous paid parental leave of up to 13 weeks.
• 401(k) with employer contribution match.
• Remote-first work environment (our headquarters are in Austin, TX).
• Collaborative, low-ego team that values intellectual curiosity and continuous improvement.