New

Controller/Finance Lead

Vaco
$180,000.00 - $200,000.00 / yr
United States, New York, New York
Feb 23, 2026
Controller / Finance Lead Location: Onsite New York, NY Salary: $200,000 plus equity A venture-backed, high-growth technology company is seeking its first in-house Controller / Finance Lead to build structure and ownership within the finance function. This is a hands-on role for a finance professional excited to strengthen financial infrastructure, implement scalable processes, and serve as a trusted partner to leadership during a key growth phase. Currently supported by an outsourced firm, this individual will own day-to-day financial operations, including monthly close, financial reporting, payroll oversight, revenue recognition, internal controls, audit coordination, and tax compliance. The Controller will also manage budgeting, forecasting, cash flow visibility, and board reporting, while improving systems and standardizing core processes (order-to-cash, procure-to-pay). Over time, there is an opportunity to transition accounting fully in-house and help build out the finance team. Key Responsibilities Financial Reporting & Close Oversee monthly and annual close processes and ensure accuracy of financial statements Maintain strong reconciliations, accrual discipline, and deferred revenue tracking Prepare executive and board reporting packages Manage working capital and provide clear cash flow visibility Accounting Operations & Controls Own day-to-day accounting operations including AP, AR, payroll review, vendor payments, and expense management Establish and maintain GAAP-aligned accounting policies and internal controls Strengthen approval workflows and segregation of duties appropriate for a scaling organization Revenue, Billing & Systems Oversee order-to-cash processes and ensure alignment between contracts, billing systems, and revenue recognition Improve financial systems and workflows to support scale Standardize documentation for core processes (order-to-cash, procure-to-pay) Build consistent reporting on recurring revenue, retention, gross margin, and key financial metrics Audit, Tax & Compliance Maintain audit-ready documentation and processes Serve as primary internal liaison to external auditors and tax providers Support R&D credit programs and fundraising due diligence Ensure ongoing compliance with investor and regulatory expectations Business Partnership & Planning Partner closely with the CEO and leadership team on budgeting, forecasting, and cash planning Provide variance analysis and operational insights Review vendor contracts and assess financial implications Present clear, structured financial updates to leadership and the Board Qualifications 6-12+ years of experience across accounting, finance, or FP&A Experience as an early or first finance hire in a startup or high-growth environment strongly preferred Strong technical accounting foundation with the ability to operate strategically Comfortable building structure in ambiguous, fast-paced environments Detail-oriented, pragmatic, and highly accountable CPA preferred but not required Vaco by Highspring values a diverse workplace and strongly encourages women, people of color, LGBTQ+ individuals, people with disabilities, members of ethnic minorities, foreign-born residents, and veterans to apply. EEO Notice Vaco by Highspring is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of race (including but not limited to traits historically associated with race such as hair texture and hair style), color, sex (includes pregnancy or related conditions), religion or creed, national origin, citizenship, age, disability, status as a veteran, union membership, ethnicity, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, marital status, political affiliation, or any other protected characteristics as required by federal, state or local law. Vaco by Highspring and its parents, affiliates, and subsidiaries are committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. As part of this commitment, Vaco by Highspring and its parents, affiliates, and subsidiaries will ensure that persons with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodations. If reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and/or to receive other benefits and privileges of employment, please contact HR@vaco.com . Vaco by Highspring also wants all applicants to know their rights that workplace discrimination is illegal. By submitting to this position, you agree that you will be giving Vaco by Highspring the exclusive right to present your as a candidate for the foregoing employment opportunity. You further agree that you have represented information about yourself accurately and have not affirmatively misrepresented your qualifications. You also agree to maintain as confidential, to the fullest extent permitted by law, any information you learn from Vaco by Highspring about the position and you will limit disclosure of information about the position only to the extent necessary to perform any obligations in furtherance of your application. In exchange, Vaco by Highspring agrees to exercise reasonable efforts to represent you through all solicitation, job screening and resume dispersal. Privacy Notice Vaco by Highspring and its parents, affiliates, and subsidiaries ("we," "our," or "Vaco by Highspring") respects your privacy and are committed to providing transparent notice of our policies. California residents may access Vaco by Highspring HR Notice at Collection for California Applicants and Employees here. Virginia residents may access our state specific policies here. Residents of all other states may access our policies here. Canadian residents may access our policies in English here and in French here. Residents of countries governed by GDPR may access our policies here. Pay Transparency Notice Determining compensation for this role (and others) at Vaco by Highspring depends upon a wide array of factors including but not limited to: the individual's skill sets, experience and training; licensure and certification requirements; office location and other geographic considerations; other business and organizational needs. With that said, as required by local law, Vaco by Highspring believes that the following salary range referenced above reasonably estimates the base compensation for an individual hired into this position in geographies that require salary range disclosure. The individual may also be eligible for discretionary bonuses.