Controller

Banza•New York, NY

16d•$175,000 - $215,000•Hybrid

About The Position

Reporting to our Co-Founder, Banza’s Controller will lead our accounting function at a pivotal moment in Banza's growth. This is a highly visible, cross-functional role, where you will own the integrity of our books, our controls, and our close. Just as importantly, you connect them to how Banza generates and manages cash. You give leadership a clear, proactive view of where our run-rate and cash are heading, not just a record of what already happened. You are our accounting subject-matter expert and the owner of the accuracy of the numbers the rest of the business builds on. You help build accounting into how we operate so our books are accurate, current, and grounded in how the business runs. The way this function works is going to change as more gets automated, and you'll help define what it becomes.

Requirements

At least 10 years of progressive experience in corporate finance and accounting roles currently operating at a strong Controller level.
Connects the close to cash - You can explain how the business generates cash, what run-rate implies, and you say it before you're asked.
Owns the numbers - You're the accountable party for the actuals other teams build on, and certify what's right and flag what isn't.
Embeds accounting at the source - You understand accounting deeply enough to design it into systems and processes, not just reconcile after the fact.
Enables decisions - You give people accurate, decision-ready information so they can move.
Strong GAAP depth required.
Manufacturing or CPG cost-accounting experience required - inventory, standard cost/COGS, trade accruals, and deductions.
Track record of strengthening controls and deploying or scaling finance systems.
Executive presence - You're the top of our accounting function, you communicate clearly and exercise independent judgment.

Nice To Haves

Public-accounting audit experience strongly preferred
CPA strongly preferred

Responsibilities

Own how we manage cash and working capital, including inventory, A/R, A/P, and trade accruals. Proactively translate our results and run-rate into what they mean for cash over the coming months.
Own the integrity of the actuals and accounting inputs that feed our forecast and Operating Buildup. Certify what's right, flag what isn't, and be the accountable party for the accounting truth.
Own the monthly close, the control environment, and GAAP compliance. Maintain an accurate, timely, well-controlled set of books as the single source of truth for what happened.
Own inventory valuation, reserves, standard cost setting, and cycle counts. Be our subject-matter expert on COGS accounting, co-manufacturing and tolling, freight, spoilage and obsolescence, revenue recognition, and trade/deduction accounting.
Own accounts payable, accounts receivable, customer credit, and the deduction/chargeback process. Maintain accuracy, controls, and timely resolution.
Own debt compliance and banking reporting. Prepare borrowing base certificates, track covenant compliance across our credit facilities, and deliver all required lender reporting accurately and on time. Monitor headroom, flag risks proactively, and maintain clean, audit-ready documentation supporting our credit agreements.
Own the audit relationship and deliver an efficient, timely annual audit. Manage tax compliance (such as Nexus, sales and use tax, K-1 processes) and coordinate with our external tax partner.
Strengthen the controls, systems (e.g., NetSuite), and processes that let Banza grow while mitigating risk. Deploy automation and AI in accounting workflows, with accountability for verifying what they produce, and partner with our Strategy & Analytics team on what accounting needs from the platform we're building.
Monitor gaps against actual charges, maintain the gap list, and partner with the Strategy & Analytics team and department heads to make reconciliations and accruals automatic outputs of upstream processes to ensure accounting is the last line of defense, not the manual engine.
Lead and develop the accounting team, including direct reports and external contractor support. Set clear expectations, grow capability, and build the function Banza needs as it scales.
Partner day to day with the head of the Strategy & Analytics team, who owns the forecast and the Operating Buildup, while you own the actuals and the view on cash their work depends on. The two of you will work in lock step across the close and the planning cycle.

Benefits

Equity in Banza
Annual Bonus
Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance starting day 1: Banza pays 80% of the monthly premiums for employees and 70% for dependents
One Medical Membership
Short Term Disability and Life Insurance
Flexible Spending Account / Health Savings Account
Commuter Benefits
401(k)
Paid Time Off: 20 vacation days, 10 holidays, 6 sick days, 2 personal days, and a birthday day off
Extended Leave: Short-Term Disability, Parental Leave, and other Paid Family Leave. Support provided by our end-to-end leave management partner, Sparrow
New Parents: 12 weeks of paid parental leave plus additional optional leave time to add, and 4 weeks of flexible return to work arrangements.
Breast milk shipping service for traveling team members provided by Milk Stork
Monthly fitness, internet and phone stipends
Monthly lunch stipend to encourage team member connection
Annual education stipend
Home office set-up stipend
Unlimited Pasta, Rice & Mac
$500 annual stipend to purchase our pizza and waffles, wherever they're sold
Quarterly snack box for remote employees
Lively NYC office stocked with snacks and beverages
Quarterly in-person and remote events