Controller

Pareto.AI•San Francisco, CA

21h•$170,000 - $230,000

About The Position

Pareto is seeking a Controller to own the company’s financial infrastructure as we scale from a profitable Series A. This role oversees accounting operations, reporting, internal controls, and compliance. The ideal candidate is a hands-on accounting leader who builds processes from scratch and delivers accurate, timely financials in a fast-paced environment.

Requirements

6–10+ years of accounting or finance experience with full-cycle close ownership.
Strong GAAP expertise and experience producing audit-ready financials.
Background in fast-paced, high-growth startups (Series A–C preferred).
Ability to build and improve accounting systems and internal controls.
Hands-on operator comfortable owning accounting end-to-end.
Proficiency with QBO; NetSuite or similar systems preferred.
Ability to build accurate budgets, forecasts, and cash-flow models.
Strong analytical skills and understanding of financial drivers.
High attention to detail, documentation, and process rigor.
Clear communication with executives, auditors, and cross-functional partners.
Strong judgment and comfort operating in ambiguity.

Nice To Haves

CPA or equivalent technical background.
Experience with SaaS, data, or AI-driven businesses.
Audit preparation experience.
Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field.

Responsibilities

Own monthly, quarterly, and annual close; maintain a reliable 5-day close.
Maintain accounting policies, documentation, and internal controls.
Manage AP/AR, payroll accounting, revenue recognition, accruals, and reconciliations.
Deliver accurate, audit-ready financial statements.
Build financial reporting for leadership and investors.
Partner with COO/CEO on budgets, forecasts, and cash-flow modeling.
Analyze unit economics, margins, and operational performance.
Implement and optimize accounting systems (QBO; evaluate NetSuite).
Automate workflows across payables, receivables, expenses, and revenue operations.
Build scalable processes that support operational and data-delivery growth.
Ensure GAAP compliance and internal controls.
Manage tax filings and audit support with external CPA firms.
Maintain audit-ready documentation and support financial diligence.
Partner with People Ops, Legal, Delivery, and GTM on finance-adjacent workflows.
Support pricing, billing, procurement, and vendor evaluations.
Provide financial clarity across the organization as Pareto scales.