Growth Stage Controller

Propeller Industries

8d•$140,000 - $160,000•Remote

About The Position

Growth Stage Controller: Build the Future of Finance at 2-5 Hypergrowth Companies Embedded Teams + AI-Enabled Intelligence In 24 months, you'll gain experience that would take 5-7 years in a single-company role. You'll serve as Controller for 2-5 Series B-C companies simultaneously—each with $20M-$200M+ in revenue, complex operations, and boards that demand excellence. You'll have the stability, resources and infrastructure of a 17 year old, 250-person firm and you'll receive training in AI-enabled financial intelligence that doesn't exist anywhere else. This is foundational work—and it's the future. Who We Are Nearly 17 years ago, we set out to find a better way to help the country's leading startups navigate the financial hazards that follow their first institutional funding. Today, Propeller's 250+ full-time professionals across three continents serve as the embedded finance and accounting partner to some of the most iconic emerging companies in Consumer, Technology, Blockchain, and Business Services. Our embedded teams integrate seamlessly into client operations in multi-year partnerships. You'll attend weekly leadership meetings, participate in board prep, collaborate on strategic decisions, and have direct access to client CEOs and CFOs. This embedded positioning creates trust, access and influence that traditional providers never achieve. With our Financial Operating Platform—combining human judgment, precise accounting, data infrastructure, and AI-enabled insight—we transform finance from a back-office function into the central nervous system of growth. What You Get Accelerated Learning Curve Experience 2-5 business models, GTM strategies, and leadership styles simultaneously Navigate wins and lessons-learned across multiple companies and multiple stages Index clients against Propeller’s stage-specific benchmarks to develop context for your instincts Executive Exposure That Defines Careers Regular interaction with Series B and C CFOs, CEOs, and stakeholders Present financials and strategic recommendations to sophisticated audiences Build relationships that become your professional network for life AI-Enabled Financial Intelligence Training Hands-on experience with Propeller's Intelligence Engine (PIE) and Data Lake (PDL) Learn to leverage systems and automation that transforms patterns into predictions Prepare for the future of finance while others react to it Stability + Variety 17-year-old firm with strong balance sheet, 250 people and competitive compensation None of the startup risk, all of the upside learning Infrastructure and support that solo controllers rarely have Career Optionality Propeller alumni have gone on to earn CFO and controller roles at multiple unicorns and nine-figure companies—this role is a launchpad, not a landing pad This Role Requires Let's be direct about what it takes to succeed here: Extreme Process Orientation You'll juggle 2-5 clients with different fiscal calendars, reporting requirements, board schedules, and growth stages. Without systematic thinking and disciplined execution, you'll drown. If you prefer improvisation over process, this isn't your role. Coachability Over Ego You'll receive direct feedback frequently from senior controllers, CFO partners, and clients. Your ability to implement it quickly determines your success. If you need to be right more than you need to get better, this isn't your role. Team Player Mentality No lone wolves. You're building systems that outlive any individual engagement. Your insights become institutional knowledge. Your workflows help the next controller scale faster. If you hoard knowledge or prefer solo work, this isn't your role. Comfort with Intensity Month-end close means 2-5 companies close simultaneously. Series B CFOs and boards expect precision, timeliness, and strategic perspective. If you prefer predictable 9-5 rhythms, this isn't your role. Appetite for Continuous Learning Every client teaches something new. Technology platforms evolve. AI tools advance almost daily. Industry dynamics shift. If you prefer mastery through repetition over growth through challenge, this isn't your role. Role Overview The Controller at Propeller builds systems that turn financial data into strategic foresight. You'll lead engagement teams to deliver month-end closes with excellence while transforming traditional controller work—historically reactive and backward-looking—into a proactive, AI-enabled function that surfaces insights before problems arise.

Requirements

Master's Degree or CPA required
7+ years in accounting/finance with at least 3 years at companies or serving clients in the $10M-$100M revenue range
Multi-client or consulting background strongly preferred (Big 4, boutique accounting firm, fractional CFO services, or similar)
Demonstrated ability to build processes from scratch—not just follow them
Cross-functional experience developing processes around financial reporting and operational workflows
Previous experience with Series B and Series C companies
Strong understanding of how operational and business changes impact financial reporting
Experience with investor diligence and audit preparedness
Quickbooks
In-depth understanding of inventory flow and cost accounting
Experience with DTC and wholesale channels
Strong knowledge of ASC 606 and revenue recognition
Familiarity with sales tax implications and obligations
Ability to distinguish between COGS and Opex
Experience with revenue waterfalls and deferred revenue
Solid understanding of ASC 606 and revenue recognition
Familiarity with sales tax obligations
Ability to identify capitalizable costs and correctly allocate to COGS or Opex
Systems thinking: ability to see patterns, codify intelligence, and contribute to scalable, repeatable processes
Comfort with ambiguity and change: Propeller is building the future of professional services, and this role requires adaptability, curiosity, and willingness to pioneer new approaches
Technical aptitude: experience with modern tools like Claude Code, Databricks, Looker, N8N, or similar platforms

Responsibilities

Team Leadership & Development
Oversee engagement teams across U.S. and international personnel, delegating work to maximize efficiency
Mentor and develop team members, actively supporting professional growth
Manage utilization and client load to ensure team members are challenged, supported, and operating at optimal capacity
Codify and share best practices, contributing to Propeller's institutional knowledge and platform intelligence
P&L Management & Growth
Optimize margins and business unit efficiency, recognizing that Propeller's economics shift from hours billed to value delivered
Proactively engage in Early Warning processes to surface issues before they escalate
Support client pipeline development in collaboration with Business Development, CFO team, and Customer Experience
Identify upsell and lifecycle extension opportunities by understanding client needs and demonstrating incremental value
Quality Control & System Intelligence
Partner with Customer Success to ensure deliverables meet Propeller's standards and drive client satisfaction
Conduct periodic client file reviews to identify learning opportunities, develop best practices, and feed insights back into the platform
Document workflows and surface repeatable intelligence that can be systematized through PropellerOS
Client Engagement & Strategic Partnership
Drive high client satisfaction by delivering not just accurate financials, but timely, actionable insights
Transform the monthly close call from backward-looking reporting into strategic financial review powered by analytics and CFO perspective
Develop scope and service offerings for potential Growth Stage clients
Participate in all phases of the client conversion cycle: scoping, pitch, and SOW development
Act as a strategic partner to executive teams, helping them navigate financial and operational complexity

Benefits

Generous Paid Time Off and Holiday pay
Comprehensive health benefits plus dental, vision, short and long-term disability, and life insurance
HSA contribution
Paid Family Leave
401k match
Remote Work
We also help you grow in your professional life.

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