Brightai

Senior Controller / Accounting Lead

Palo Alto, CA Full Time

Senior Controller / Accounting Lead

We are a high-growth company that is looking for teammates who want to be key contributors to changing the way businesses interact with the physical world through intelligent automation. This is an incredible opportunity to join a fast-moving organization that operates at the intersection of AI, hardware, and cloud infrastructure. You’ll be part of a team scaling a platform that processes real-world data from billions of events across edge devices, mobile sensors, and enterprise systems — helping to build the operational and financial backbone that enables innovation at scale.

We are looking for an experienced Senior Controller / Accounting Lead to own the company’s accounting operations and bring order, clarity, and scalability to a rapidly evolving business. You will oversee all day-to-day accounting activities and lead the annual audit — including AP, AR, financial reporting, systems management and outsourced accounting resources — while partnering closely with the CFO to implement new accounting standards, systems, and automations. This is an ideal role for someone who thrives in fast-paced environments, enjoys building structure out of complexity, excels at leading an accounting team and takes pride in producing clean, audit-ready books.

You are detail-oriented, deeply analytical, and passionate about hardware and software accounting, while also excited to build a cutting-edge financial reporting team over time. You’ll play a pivotal role in strengthening the company’s financial foundation, ensuring compliance, and enabling the organization to scale confidently and intelligently.

Responsibilities:

  • Oversee all aspects of day-to-day accounting operations, including accounts payable, invoicing, reconciliations, monthly close and management of third-party partners (auditors, outsourced accounting services, tax authorities, etc).

  • Manage and maintain general ledger integrity, ensuring books are accurate, timely, and GAAP-compliant.

  • Partner with the CFO to design and implement new accounting standards, processes, and reporting frameworks.

  • Integrate and optimize financial tools, including Netsuite, Bill.com, Brex and other automation systems.

  • Lead the preparation for annual audits and tax filings, coordinating with external auditors and tax advisors.

  • Build and manage relationships with insourced and outsourced accounting partners to ensure accuracy and efficiency.

  • Drive accounting automation and process improvement initiatives to streamline reporting and increase operational transparency.

  • Support strategic finance initiatives by providing clean, actionable data for decision-making.

  • Lay the foundation to build an in-house accounting team within the first 6-12mo and play a key role in recruiting and developing future team members.

  • Maintain a culture of precision, accountability, and continuous improvement across all finance operations.

Skills and Expertise:

  • 10+ years of accounting experience, with deep knowledge of GAAP accounting principles for both hardware and software businesses, especially those operating in a B2B marketplace with complex, multi-faceted customer contracts.

  • Proven success managing accounting operations in dynamic or high-growth environments.

  • Strong proficiency with NetSuite and experience integrating tools such as Brex and other automation platforms.

  • Demonstrated ability to manage outsourced accounting teams and transition to in-house capabilities over time.

  • Hands-on experience running audits, tax filings, and month-end close with precision and consistency.

  • Passionate about leveraging technology to streamline accounting workflows and reporting.

  • Exceptional attention to detail, organization, and documentation — able to navigate ambiguity and create order from it.

  • Excellent communication and collaboration skills, with the ability to partner effectively with finance leadership and cross-functional teams.

  • Self-driven, proactive, and thrives in a fast-paced, startup-like environment where no two days are the same.

Bonus Criteria:

  • Prior experience implementing or scaling accounting automation systems.

  • Experience supporting hardware or SaaS business models in early-stage or growth-stage environments.

  • Comfort working across global operations, with multi-entity consolidations and intercompany accounting.

  • Familiarity with Agile or fast-iteration environments where finance supports rapid product and operational growth.