Assistant Controller – Financial Operations & Accounting Leadership Role (Hybrid Work Model in San Francisco)

About arenaflex

arenaflex is at the forefront of technological innovation, transforming industries through cutting-edge artificial intelligence solutions and pioneering research. As a leader in the tech landscape, we pride ourselves on fostering a culture of excellence, collaboration, and continuous learning. Our team is comprised of brilliant minds dedicated to pushing the boundaries of what's possible, and we're looking for a talented professional to join our finance organization as we scale to new heights.

At arenaflex, we believe that great companies are built on solid foundations, and our finance team is the backbone of our operational success. We are currently seeking an experienced Assistant Controller who will oversee our center bookkeeping and monetary operations capabilities, ensuring precision, compliance, and strategic insight that drives our organization's financial success.

Position Overview

We are seeking a highly skilled and motivated Assistant Controller to lead our financial operations and accounting functions. This pivotal role will be responsible for regulating monthly close processes, internal and external reporting, audits, systems, and policies. The ideal candidate will bring deep technical expertise and the ability to solve complex problems across multiple disciplines while building and maintaining a world-class finance team.

This key, yet hands-on position reports to the Controller and works closely with the VP of Finance, cross-functional leaders, and key external partners. You will be a central member in driving the financial success of the organization by building—and maintaining—a high-performing accounting organization that supports our continued growth and innovation.

Located in San Francisco, CA, this position operates on a hybrid work model requiring 3 days in the office each week. We offer comprehensive onboarding assistance to new team members to ensure a smooth transition into our dynamic environment.

Key Responsibilities

• Team Leadership & Development: Direct core GL accounting teams covering balance sheet, opex, and global accounting, while creating opportunities for colleagues' development and advancement within the organization.
• Financial Reporting Excellence: Take responsibility for the planning, audit, and accuracy of all financial, regulatory, and investor reporting to ensure compliance and stakeholder confidence.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Support new and existing research and products by working cross-functionally to manage risk, and build and maintain flexible accounting processes that scale with our growth.
• Process Automation: Identify opportunities for automation of manual cycles and lead system implementations to streamline accounting and reporting processes, improving efficiency and accuracy across the finance function.
• External Partnership Management: Manage key service provider relationships with auditors, outsourced accountants, technical accounting advisors, and strategic partners to ensure optimal outcomes.
• Financial Analysis & Strategy: Work with the broader arenaflex Finance team to analyze financial performance, provide recommendations for senior leadership to advance strategic initiatives, and support key decision-making processes.
• Policy & Compliance: Develop and maintain robust accounting policies and procedures that ensure compliance with US GAAP and relevant regulatory requirements.
• System Optimization: Leverage modern accounting systems and tools, particularly NetSuite and Zip, to enhance financial operations and reporting capabilities.

Essential Qualifications

• Educational Background: Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field is required.
• Professional Experience: 3+ years of progressive experience in senior accounting leadership roles at a combination of public companies, late-stage startups, and/or public accounting firms.
• Professional Certification: CPA (Certified Public Accountant) or CA (Chartered Accountant) with a deep understanding of US GAAP and financial reporting requirements for various types of legal entities.
• Technical Accounting Knowledge: Strong expertise in technical accounting matters, including revenue recognition, lease accounting, and complex financial instruments.
• Project Management Skills: Excellent project management abilities including attention to detail and capacity to prioritize and lead high-priority initiatives on simultaneous timelines.
• Communication Skills: Exceptional interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills as demonstrated by the ability to land complex concepts across different audiences, from technical teams to executive leadership.
• Systems Experience: Experience working with modern programming and systems, particularly NetSuite (ERP) and Zip (procurement automation) is highly preferred.
• Analytical Capabilities: Strong analytical skills, including working knowledge of SQL and data analysis tools to drive insights and process improvements.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in the technology or AI industry, particularly at high-growth companies
• Background in scaling finance functions from startup through IPO or significant growth phases
• Experience implementing or optimizing NetSuite ERP systems
• Knowledge of international accounting standards and multi-entity consolidations
• Familiarity with SOX compliance and internal control frameworks
• Experience in venture capital or private equity-backed environments

Skills & Competencies Required for Success

• Self-Motivation: You are an enthusiastic self-starter who thrives in a fast-paced, ambiguous environment and expects to lead multiple projects. You take ownership of your work and believe that a task not completed well is a task not completed.
• Problem-Solving Agility: You are excited about new challenges. You don't have the answers to every question upfront, but the process of solving them stimulates you. Novel issues requiring multi-dimensional knowledge energize you.
• Collaborative Spirit: You are an exceptional team player. You are a strong communicator who can explain complex subjects with ease, in any format. You intuitively understand the importance of keeping everyone informed, and you take proactive steps to do so. You are intellectually honest.
• Leadership Quality: You are a top-tier leader who coaches individuals around you, helps set agendas, and unblocks universal issues. You identify opportunities for cross-functional projects and decisively step in to lead them. Your commitment to quality is unwavering, and you mentor the work of everyone around you to join you at this elevated level.
• Builder Mentality: You not only embrace the opportunity to directly impact how a company operates—you revel in it. An organization depends on the quality of its foundation, and your passion is strong for building robust processes from the ground up.
• Strategic Thinking: Ability to see the big picture while managing day-to-day financial operations with equal diligence.
• Adaptability: Comfortable operating in a rapidly evolving environment where priorities may shift and new challenges emerge regularly.

Career Growth & Learning Opportunities

At arenaflex, we are deeply invested in the professional development of our team members. As the Assistant Controller, you will have unprecedented opportunities to grow your career in ways that few organizations can offer:

• Leadership Development: This role serves as a springboard to higher leadership positions within the finance organization, including potential pathways to Controller, VP of Finance, or Chief Financial Officer roles as you demonstrate your capabilities.
• Technical Excellence: You will work with cutting-edge financial systems and technologies, gaining expertise in modern cloud-based ERP platforms, automation tools, and data analytics that are transforming the finance profession.
• Cross-Functional Exposure: Working closely with VP Finance, cross-functional leaders, and external partners provides a comprehensive view of business operations and strategy that accelerates professional growth.
• Industry Leadership: As part of a leading technology company, you will be at the forefront of innovation, dealing with novel accounting challenges in AI, machine learning, and emerging technologies.
• Continuous Learning: We support professional development through training programs, conference attendance, and certification sponsorship to keep your skills sharp and current.

Work Environment & Company Culture

arenaflex cultivates an environment where innovation thrives and talented individuals can do their best work. Our culture is built on several core principles:

• Innovation First: We encourage creative problem-solving and value new ideas from every team member, regardless of their role or tenure.
• Collaboration Without Boundaries: Our hybrid work model (3 days in-office per week) balances the benefits of in-person collaboration with the flexibility to focus and produce high-quality work remotely.
• Diversity & Inclusion: We believe that diverse teams build better products and stronger organizations. We are committed to creating an inclusive workplace where all voices are heard and valued.
• Work-Life Balance: While we are ambitious about our goals, we respect the importance of personal time and well-being. Our 8-hour work day structure ensures sustainable productivity.
• Transparent Communication: We prioritize keeping all stakeholders informed and encourage proactive communication at all levels of the organization.
• Quality Obsession: We hold ourselves to the highest standards in everything we do, from financial reporting to product development.

Compensation & Benefits

We recognize that exceptional talent deserves exceptional rewards. arenaflex offers a competitive compensation package designed to attract, retain, and motivate top professionals:

• Competitive Salary: $26 per hour (commensurate with experience and qualifications)
• Comprehensive Health Coverage: Full medical, dental, and vision insurance for employees and their families
• Retirement Planning: 401(k) retirement plan with company matching to help you build long-term financial security
< li>Paid Time Off: Generous PTO policy including vacation, sick leave, and personal days
• Professional Development: Annual learning and development budget for courses, certifications, and conferences
• Onboarding Support: Comprehensive onboarding assistance to help new employees integrate seamlessly into the arenaflex team
• Stock Options: Equity participation opportunities in a growing technology company
• Wellness Programs: Access to wellness resources, mental health support, and employee assistance programs
• Transportation Benefits: Commuter benefits and assistance for those working in our San Francisco office

Join Our Team

If you are ready to take the next step in your career and make a meaningful impact at a company that is shaping the future of technology, we encourage you to apply for this exciting opportunity. As the Assistant Controller at arenaflex, you will play a critical role in building and maintaining the financial infrastructure that supports our mission to advance artificial intelligence for the benefit of humanity.

This is your chance to join a world-class team, work on challenging problems, and grow your career in one of the most dynamic and innovative companies in the technology sector. We are looking for a builder—someone who embraces the opportunity to directly impact how our company operates and who revels in the chance to construct robust processes and systems from the ground up.

At arenaflex, we believe that an organization depends on the quality of its foundation, and your passion for growing strong teams and processes will be instrumental in our continued success. If you are excited about new challenges, thrive in fast-paced environments, and are committed to excellence in everything you do, we want to hear from you.

Apply today and become part of a team that is defining the future of technology while building something truly extraordinary together.