Assistant Controller

Avalara

9d

About The Position

Avalara is scaling into a multi-billion-dollar global SaaS company, and the Assistant Controller plays a critical leadership role in building a high-performing, globally consistent, and automation-enabled accounting organization. This role is responsible for driving operational excellence across the global close, consolidations, technical accounting execution, internal controls, and financial systems transformation.
We are looking for a strategic and operationally minded leader who brings deep US GAAP expertise, experience in SaaS or technology environments, and a proven ability to modernize accounting operations through automation, systems optimization, and global process redesign. The Assistant Controller partners closely with Finance, Operations, IT, and international teams to deliver a unified, scalable accounting model that meets the needs of a global enterprise.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or a closely related discipline required. A Master’s in Accounting, Finance, or an MBA is preferred. CPA strongly preferred.
• 15+ years of progressive accounting experience, including leadership roles in high-growth or large public-company environments.
• Strong command of US GAAP, including technical areas relevant to global SaaS operations.
• Demonstrated success scaling accounting operations and improving close timelines through automation and process redesign.
• Hands-on experience implementing or upgrading ERP/GL systems and leveraging AI-enabled tools in accounting workflows.
• Experience leading global accounting organizations, including establishing or managing centers of excellence.
• Proven ability to build analytical review procedures and enhance close rigor.
• Experience supporting global expansion, multi-entity operations, and multi-currency consolidation.
• Prior experience in public-company environments and SOX maturity.

Nice To Haves

• Experience with M&A integration, international statutory compliance, and complex consolidation environments.
• Background in SaaS or subscription-based technology companies.
• Big 4 public accounting experience combined with industry operational leadership.

Responsibilities

• Financial Close & Reporting
• Lead Avalara’s global monthly, quarterly, and annual close processes, ensuring accuracy, compliance with US GAAP, and operational scalability.
• Reduce close timelines from a 7-day cycle to public-company benchmarks through automation, improved analytical review, and consistent global workflows.
• Oversee preparation of GAAP-compliant reporting packages and deliver high-quality, decision-ready financial results.
• Accounting Operations Leadership
• Manage end-to-end accounting operations, including payroll accounting, fixed assets, capitalized software, cloud computing, prepaid and expense accounting, and consolidations.
• Drive the shift from region-specific processes to a unified, global accounting model with strong documentation and clear ownership.
• Optimize shared services in India to improve quality, timeliness, efficiency, and scalability.
• Systems, Automation & Process Transformation
• Lead the rollout and adoption of new accounting and AI-enabled tools; assess and support implementation of a future-state GL and related subledgers.
• Identify and eliminate manual accounting steps by implementing scalable, automated workflows.
• Partner with IT, Finance Systems, and global teams to enhance ERP functionality, improve data structure, and strengthen system integrity across multiple entities.
• Technical Accounting & Policy Leadership
• Serve as a subject-matter expert on US GAAP, including ASC 340-40 (commissions), ASC 842 (leases), capitalized software, cloud computing, stock-based compensation, impairment evaluations, currency matters, and consolidation.
• Ensure accounting policies are current, practical, and consistently applied worldwide.
• Support complex accounting assessments related to global expansion, new products, new commission structures, equity and debt instruments, and partner arrangements.
• Internal Controls, SOX Compliance & Risk Management
• Strengthen Avalara’s internal control environment with scalable policies, documentation, and review procedures.
• Partner with Internal Audit to monitor and enhance SOX compliance, remediate deficiencies, and improve testing and documentation standards.
• Establish global workflows that ensure audit readiness and consistent compliance across entities.
• Analytical Procedures & Accounting Analysis
• Build and institutionalize robust analytical review procedures, including predictive analytics, across major financial statement areas.
• Improve variance analysis quality and align financial review processes with business drivers and KPIs.
• Drive continuous improvement in data quality, insights, and close rigor.
• Cross-Functional & Strategic Partnership
• Partner with FP&A, Revenue Accounting, Revenue Operations, Billing, Legal, Tax, HR, and Global Operations to ensure alignment on new initiatives and emerging financial implications.
• Support M&A due diligence, Day-1 readiness, and integration activities.
• Provide accounting leadership for global expansion, including legal entity setup, statutory alignment, tax considerations, and operational readiness.
• Team Leadership & Development
• Lead, mentor, and inspire a global accounting team across onshore and offshore locations.
• Establish clear ownership, strong documentation standards, and ongoing training to elevate global team performance.
• Foster a culture rooted in Avalara’s OPAH FOCUS values—Ownership, Passion, Adaptability, Humility, and operational principles including Curiosity, Urgency, Simplicity, Optimism, and Fun.

Benefits

• In addition to a great compensation package, paid time off, and paid parental leave, many Avalara employees are eligible for bonuses.
• Benefits vary by location but generally include private medical, life, and disability insurance.
• Avalara strongly supports diversity, equity, and inclusion, and is committed to integrating them into our business practices and our organizational culture. We also have a total of 8 employee-run resource groups, each with senior leadership and exec sponsorship.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level