Controller, Symmetry

Gusto, Inc.•Scottsdale, AZ

6h•Hybrid

About The Position

Gusto is on a mission to grow the small business economy by handling payroll, health insurance, 401(k)s, and HR. Symmetry Software, a part of Gusto, provides payroll infrastructure, including tax APIs and software tools, to power paychecks for over 64 million workers annually. The company has been in business since 1984, known for innovative solutions and high-level service in the payroll industry. This Controller role for Symmetry is for a professional ready for a new adventure, with established systems and processes. Experience in the software industry, NetSuite, payroll industry, and revenue recognition is beneficial. The position sits at the intersection of SaaS accounting, AI-enabled operations, and compliance. The Controller will collaborate closely with Gusto's Finance & Business Operations (FBOS) team, the NetSuite Administrator, Sales, and Service teams, and serve as a strategic finance partner to the CFO.

Requirements

3+ years as a Controller or Senior Accounting Manager.
Proficiency in corporate accounting and GAAP.
Familiarity with AI tools (Claude, ChatGPT, Copilot, etc.) in finance workflows.
Experience with parent-company reporting and consolidations.
Positive attitude and a desire to learn.
Strong communication skills; ability to present financial data to non-finance audiences.
Effective organization and prioritization abilities.
Collaborative mindset with the ability to lead or partner as needed.
Bachelor's Degree required.

Nice To Haves

NetSuite experience is a plus.
Experience at a SaaS company, knowledge of SaaS revenue recognition (ASC 606).
Experience with IUS and CCA accounting (ASC 350-40) including capitalization policy, lifecycle tracking, and amortization.
CPA or master’s degree.

Responsibilities

Own the monthly, quarterly, and annual financial close process, producing GAAP financials and management reports for leadership and Gusto FBOS.
Prepare monthly flux analyses, including budget-to-actual and period-over-period variance commentary.
Coordinate with external auditors and Gusto's corporate accounting team for audits and compliance filings.
Develop and maintain accounting policies, controls, and procedures for financial reporting and corporate activities.
Manage accounting for the Internal Use Software (IUS) and Cloud Computing Arrangement (CCA) under ASC 350-40.
Partner with Engineering and Product on cost classification and track capitalized assets.
Coordinate amortization in NetSuite and maintain IUS/CCA policies in alignment with Gusto standards.
Serve as the primary Finance stakeholder for NetSuite, ensuring the system is optimized for accounting needs.
Collaborate with the NetSuite Administrator to evaluate and maintain integrations, such as commission tracking and AP scanning.
Build NetSuite saved searches, reports, and dashboards to support financial analysis.
Apply expertise in SaaS revenue recognition to ensure treatment of ARR, usage-based revenue, contract renewals, multi-year deals, and deferred revenue
Partner with Sales and Finance to support complex contract negotiations, multi-year pricing structures, and usage reporting and special arrangements.
Support ARR reporting, quota tracking, and commissions accounting including the buildout of commissions automation through NetSuite or add-on application.
Champion the use of AI and automation tools to modernize finance workflows including close processes, reconciliations, reporting, and vendor management.
Identify and pilot AI tools that reduce manual work, improve accuracy, and increase the pace of financial reporting cycles.
Own the financial components of annual vendor risk assessments.
Drive compliance with state and local tax jurisdictions using integrated tax software (Avalara).
Lead, mentor, and develop the Accounting Specialist, fostering a culture of accountability, precision, and continuous growth.
Serve as a strategic partner to the CFO and department leaders, bringing financial clarity to cross-functional business decisions.