Controller

Cartwheel•Cambridge, MA

8h•Remote

About The Position

Join Cartwheel to help tackle the student mental health crisis! Cartwheel is an early-stage company building a new kind of mental health program for kids that puts schools at the center. We see our role as supporting school staff who see kids every single day. Instead of going around them, we collaborate with them. This means: Earlier intervention Higher student and family engagement in care Better coordination among the trusted adults in a student’s life Kids shouldn't just aspire to get out of bed and drag themselves to class. They should be able to experience joy. They deserve to envision and build a life they’re excited to live. If you join Cartwheel, you’ll help make this vision a reality for millions of students across the country. We’re backed by top investors including A Street Ventures, Menlo Ventures, Reach Capital, General Catalyst, BoxGroup, and Able Partners, and we're looking for mission-driven teammates to join our team. ABOUT THE ROLE We’re hiring our first Controller to build a modern, scalable accounting function that will support Cartwheel’s rapid growth. As our accounting leader, you’ll build core processes from scratch, lead our ERP selection and implementation, and create the financial infrastructure we’ll rely on for audits, fundraising, and multi-state expansion. Reporting to our Head of Finance, you’ll be a key strategic partner to teams across the company—including BizOps, Data, RCM, and Operations—as we bring high-quality mental health support to students everywhere. Role type: W2, Full-Time, Salaried position Location: Remote

Requirements

You have a strong GAAP foundation and have led or meaningfully supported external audits, ensuring the company is prepared, organized, and accurate.
You’ve played a primary role in evaluating, selecting, and implementing an ERP system, and you understand how to design scalable financial infrastructure.
You’ve built or significantly scaled accounting processes and workflows, bringing a builder’s mindset to creating structure where none exists.
You connect day-to-day accounting operations to broader business outcomes and know how to prioritize effectively in a fast-paced environment.
You communicate clearly with non-finance partners, translating complex financial topics into accessible insights and building trust across teams.
You’ve hired, managed, or mentored accounting talent and know how to develop people while maintaining a high bar for quality.
You thrive in early-stage, ambiguous environments, enjoy rolling up your sleeves, and can move work forward without a perfect playbook.
You are passionate about helping kids with behavioral health needs.

Responsibilities

Own core processes including month-end close, reconciliations, controls, and reporting.
Design scalable accounting policies and workflows.
Lead the transition from outsourced accounting function to fully in-house
Evaluate and select a modern ERP (NetSuite, Intacct, Rillit, etc.) with cross-functional partners.
Own configuration, chart of accounts design, integrations, and process buildout.
Establish a strong, audit-ready financial infrastructure from day one.
Lead GAAP-compliant reporting and technical accounting decision-making.
Prepare Cartwheel for its first (or subsequent) external audit.
Manage documentation, controls, and alignment with auditors and internal teams
Hire a Staff Accountant shortly after onboarding.
Provide mentorship, clarity, and development as the team grows.
Work with BizOps and Data to connect financial reporting to operational metrics (RCM, state P&L, revenue quality).
Collaborate with RCM and Health Plan Ops on payer dynamics, collections, and revenue integrity.
Support leadership with budgeting, forecasting, and board reporting.