Corporate Controller - Marketplace

About WorkWhileWorkWhile is on a mission to help workers earn a better living and live better lives. More than 80 million Americans work hourly jobs - often with unpredictable schedules, near-minimum wages, and few benefits - leading to real financial instability. We're fixing that. WorkWhile is evolving from a high-growth labor marketplace into a comprehensive workforce platform, expanding our product suite to include Newday (our SaaS workforce management system) and WorkWhile Wallet (our fintech solution for worker earnings and credit). The result is a multi-business-model company with a genuinely complex, interesting financial landscape. Backed by Khosla Ventures and recognized by the Inc. 5000 for 10x growth, we're disrupting the $650 billion staffing and recruiting marketThe OpportunityThis is not a "maintain the books" Controller role. This is a build-it role. As Corporate Controller, you'll serve as the CFO's right hand in architecting a world-class accounting function from the ground up - one capable of supporting high-volume transaction processing, multi-stream revenue recognition (Marketplace + SaaS + Fintech), and banking-level treasury operations. You'll lead an ERP migration, deploy AI-driven automation, and own the technical accounting for business models that most Controllers never get to work across simultaneously. If you're a technically deep CPA who wants to do more than close the books - someone who wants to shape financial infrastructure at a venture-backed, mission-driven company - this role is built for you. What You'll OwnCore Accounting OperationsFull-cycle accounting ownershipGeneral Ledger (GL), Payroll, Procure-to-Pay (P2P), Order-to-Cash (O2C), and Record-to-Report (R2R) Data integrityPartner with Data Science to ensure financial data in the ERP (NetSuite/Intacct) aligns precisely with operational data sources (BigQuery, Metabase) High-volume payrollManage complex weekly and daily payroll runs for a nationally dispersed workforce, with distinct treatment for W2 employees (taxes, benefits, withholdings) and 1099 independent contractors Month-end & year-end closeOwn the close calendar, drive down close cycle times, and ensure a clean, audit-ready general ledger at all times Technical Accounting & ComplianceRevenue Recognition (ASC 606)Author technical accounting memos and policy for multiple evolving revenue streams - including "Principal vs. Agent" gross-to-net calculations for marketplace revenue and subscription revenue recognition for the Newday SaaS product Fintech & Treasury AccountingBuild accounting workflows for WorkWhile Wallet and W2 Early Pay - including daily liquidity management for payroll funding, high-volume card transaction reconciliation (Marqeta, Stripe), and accounting for potential credit losses on worker advances Equity & Stock-Based CompensationManage equity plan administration and ASC 718 accounting Multi-jurisdiction Tax ComplianceOversee federal, state, and local tax filings; manage payroll tax nexus across all states where W2 workers operate; address sales tax implications for SaaS products Audit & External ReportingAudit leadershipOwn the external audit relationship end-to-end - prepare PBC schedules, manage fieldwork, and deliver audited financial statements on time Investor & lender reportingPrepare accurate, well-documented financials for board reporting, debt covenant compliance, and future fundraising due diligence Systems, Automation & Team LeadershipERP migrationLead the evaluation and implementation of a scalable ERP upgrade (e.g., QuickBooks Online ? NetSuite or Sage Intacct), including integration with billing, payroll, and payments systems AI & automationProactively identify and deploy AI agents for reconciliation, invoice processing, and anomaly detection - reducing manual workload and improving accuracy Collections & DSO optimizationStrengthen billing and collections processes, managing invoicing nuances across Enterprise and SMB client segments Team developmentManage and mentor the internal accounting team and oversee the offshore BPO team, ensuring seamless collaboration across time zones What We're Looking ForRequired QualificationsActive CPA license non-negotiable Big 4 accounting firm experienceMinimum 4-6 years in audit at a Big 4 firm (Deloitte, PwC, EY, or KPMG), serving public company or high-growth technology clients 10+ years of progressive accounting experience, with at least 3 years as a Controller or Assistant Controller at a venture-backed technology companyDeep technical accounting expertise in ASC 606 revenue recognition, including multi-element arrangements and gross vs. net revenue treatment Proven track record of ERP implementation specifically migrating from QuickBooks to NetSuite, Sage Intacct, or equivalent Experience managing multi-state payroll tax compliance and nexus analysis for a company with a distributed workforce Preferred / Bonus QualificationsIndustry experience in Marketplace, Fintech (lending, ledgering, prepaid cards), or SaaS business models Hands-on experience with Stripe, Marqeta, or similar payment processors from an accounting and reconciliation standpoint Experience managing hybrid onshore/offshore accounting teams or BPO relationships Exposure to SQL, BigQuery, or BI tools (Looker, Metabase) for financial data analysis You'll Thrive Here If You:Are the kind of person who investigates a variance until it's fully explained - not just deemed immaterial Can translate complex accounting positions (like Gross vs. Net revenue) clearly for non-finance stakeholders, investors, and lenders Are energized by ambiguity and want to build, not just maintain Have a strong bias for action and take pride in operational excellence Compensation & BenefitsCompetitive base salary equity in a high-growth, venture-backed company Hybrid work culture with office hubs in SF, NY, Seattle & TorontoIn-person company off-sites Medical, dental & vision coverage Unlimited PTO 401(k) with employer match WFH stipend to support your home office setup WorkWhile has a diverse, mission-driven, and supportive culture-we look for people who want to take ownership, are energized by ambiguity, and strive to make a lasting impact. If this resonates with you, we'd love to chat!