Controller

📋 Description

• • Join Burkland Associates, a pioneering firm dedicated to Accelerating Dreams for venture-backed startups. We are a remote-first company with a vibrant team of over 180 professionals serving more than 800 clients, and we're proud to have helped our clients raise over $3 billion last year alone. Our mission is driven by our Core Purpose and guided by our Core Values: Fresh Perspectives, Exponential Value, Empathy, and Trusted Partner. If you are a strategic and dynamic Controller with a passion for empowering early-stage companies, Burkland offers an exceptional opportunity to make a significant impact.
• • In this hands-on Controller role, you will be instrumental in designing, implementing, and optimizing financial processes and systems for our diverse portfolio of startup clients. This involves a comprehensive approach, from understanding client needs and selecting appropriate financial software to meticulously setting up and deploying these systems. You will act as a crucial financial partner, enabling founders to concentrate on innovation and growth while we manage their financial infrastructure.
• • The nature of this role is inherently varied and dynamic. You will engage in client-facing activities, including facilitating critical meetings to discuss financial strategies and performance. A significant part of your responsibility will be overseeing the monthly and yearly financial closes, ensuring accuracy and timeliness. This constant flux means no two days are exactly alike, offering a stimulating and engaging work environment.
• • You will primarily support venture-backed startups, typically at the Seed through Series C stages, who require expert Controller-level guidance but may not yet have the need or resources for a full-time internal finance team. This presents a continuous stream of challenging and rewarding work, where your expertise directly contributes to their financial stability and growth trajectory.
• • A key aspect of this role is the ability to seamlessly transition between different client needs and contexts. You will need to excel at rapidly assessing financial situations, communicating complex information clearly, prioritizing tasks effectively, and making sound evaluations of client requirements. This adaptability is paramount to success in supporting a wide range of innovative companies.
• • You will be responsible for managing accounting processes and potentially supervising accounting teams for our clients. In some instances, this management oversight may extend to internal Burkland processes as well. A solid background in management and team leadership is therefore essential for this position.
• • Embracing the agile, resourceful, and often 'scrappy' nature of startups is a fundamental requirement. You should be comfortable navigating ambiguity, finding creative solutions, and operating efficiently in fast-paced environments. Your ability to adapt to the unique challenges and opportunities presented by the startup ecosystem will be a significant asset.
• • As a Controller at Burkland, you will leverage your deep understanding of accounting principles and best practices to build and oversee full-cycle accounting processes. This includes developing robust financial reporting frameworks, conducting thorough financial statement analysis, and providing strategic recommendations on chart of accounts structures.
• • You will offer expert guidance on critical areas such as Cost of Goods Sold (COGS), ensuring clients have accurate and actionable insights into their product costs. Furthermore, you will be responsible for the preparation and presentation of comprehensive financial statements, reports, and investor updates, translating financial data into clear narratives for stakeholders.
• • Your expertise will extend to complex accounting areas, including accounting for intercompany transactions and performing financial statement consolidations for clients with multiple entities. You will also manage accounting for unrealized gains and losses, and possess a strong understanding of equity accounting, including reconciliations for stock options and convertible notes.
• • A deep familiarity with advanced accounting standards is crucial, particularly ASC 606 (Revenue Recognition) and ASC 842 (Lease Accounting). You will ensure clients are compliant and leveraging these standards effectively for accurate financial reporting.
• • You will be expected to oversee the work product of others, providing mentorship and quality assurance to ensure the highest standards of financial operations. Additionally, a working knowledge of the financial due diligence process will be valuable, particularly as clients prepare for funding rounds or potential acquisitions.
• • This role is ideal for someone who is naturally curious, a proactive problem-solver, and eager to continuously learn about cutting-edge technologies and emerging industries. Your communication skills will be a cornerstone of your success, especially if you have prior customer or client service experience. Integrity, initiative, and an analytical mindset are key attributes we seek in our team members. You should thrive in a collaborative environment, actively seeking and providing feedback, and possess a strong command of GAAP principles.