Controller – Senior Accounting Leader

About the role

Profluent, a frontier AI lab focused on biology, is looking for a Controller to own the full accounting function and build the finance infrastructure needed for rapid growth and eventual public‑company status.

Key responsibilities

• Serve as the in‑house technical accounting authority, researching complex GAAP issues and drafting position memos.
• Lead monthly, quarterly, and annual close processes and produce US GAAP financial statements.
• Manage R&D accounting, including CRO and vendor accruals, prepaids, and program‑level cost tracking.
• Prepare financial reporting packages and board‑level decks, translating results into clear narratives.
• Oversee equity accounting under ASC 718, including stock‑based compensation, 409A support, and cap table integrity.
• Design and maintain an internal control framework scalable for a high‑growth tech company.
• Coordinate audit readiness and act as primary contact for external auditors.
• Handle federal, state, and local tax compliance, lead R&D tax credit studies, and address Section 174 capitalization.

Required profile

• Significant accounting experience at a high‑growth company, with exposure to CRO accruals, R&D cost tracking, and ASC 718.
• Hands‑on experience implementing or migrating NetSuite (or similar ERP) and transitioning from QuickBooks.
• Proven ability to research, document, and communicate complex GAAP positions independently.
• Comfortable interfacing with external auditors and building internal controls from scratch.

Required skills

• NetSuite (or comparable ERP) implementation
• QuickBooks
• ASC 718 equity accounting
• US GAAP
• Carta or equivalent equity‑plan platform