Controller

Guru is a growing and profitable software company based in Philadelphia. We help companies find, document, and share critical information without leaving their workflow; ultimately ending repeat questions. 
We’ve got a small but mighty Accounting team of 4 (Controller, Assistant Controller, Senior Staff Accountant, Payroll & AP Manager) looking for a new Controller as our Controller is retiring. This is not your traditional “fix this fire” Controller role but instead one where we’re seeking someone with curiosity, ability to quickly learn, and ultimately evolve the Accounting team to an even higher standard.
For context, we have all the expected processes and systems setup that you’d typically see in a scaled software company. We have clean audits for the last 4+ years without any deficiencies (ever). Again, not your traditional “fire-fighting” Controller hire. If you are open and willing to learn and perfect our process with coaching from our existing Controller through 12/31/2025, ultimately evolving it to the next level thereafter, then this is for you. Think of it as a Sous-chef role while your Michelin-star chef trains you before giving you the creative ownership over the menu. Ultimately, this role has upward mobility to VP of Finance (Accounting + FP&A) for candidates that can demonstrate expertise in Accounting, our processes, and evolve them while learning/picking up FP&A from our CFO.

Key Responsibilities

Never Settle: All the responsibilities you see below will be very similar to what you will see in other Controller job descriptions. The difference in this role is we expect you to constantly iterate, improve, and reassess the processes, workflows, tools, procedures, etc to be on the bleeding edge of Finance innovation. We as a company pride ourselves on efficiency and “throwing bodies at problems” is the antithesis of what we do. You will be expected to incorporate AI, automation, and process enhancements regularly. If this appeals to you, great. If you want to build a process and leave it forever, this is not the role.

Run the daily operations of Accounting: oversee the daily accounting operations, including general ledger, revenue recognition, accounts payable, accounts receivable, fixed assets, payroll, accounts reconciliation, and operational cash management. Ideally figure out ways to manage these processes so the close is faster, easier, and more efficient.

Monthly Reviews & Synthesis: Drive towards synthesis each month by reviewing the team’s work& CFO thereafter with a financial variance analysis. If you have an interest in FP&A, this is where you have the opportunity to let it shine.

Be a coach: Provide mentorship to the accounting staff by supporting and cross-training employees. Also very relevant here for continuity purposes.

Lead the audit: Lead year-end financial audit and other financial compliance reviews, as necessary

Stay GAAP compliant: Ensure consistent implementation of corporate accounting principles and procedures in full compliance with US GAAP

Ensure Systems & Data are high fidelity: You are the owner of our financial information and with great power comes great responsibility. It is critical to ensure integrity of the Company's accounting systems, including chart of account set-up, financial report development and maintenance between systems and general ledger

External Reporting: CFO regularly interacts with lenders, investors, and the Board. There is critical monthly/quarterly investor reporting, lender reporting, and regular board meetings where this role provides synthesized financial information.

Handle our Taxes: In many companies, Tax is not a function and is part of Accounting’s job. We operate that way at Guru. Ensure compliance with all federal, state, and local corporate income, payroll, sales, and other applicable taxes and licenses.

Collaborate with Sales team & People team: This role works closely with Sales on contracts and People on people-oriented work. Working with them in a collaborative manner is critical.

• Public accounting experience at a Big 4 accounting firm STRONGLY preferred
• Currently operating as a Controller, Assistant Controller, or Director/Senior Manager
• Minimum 8 years’ experience in Accounting, preferably with Software experience
• CPA or BS/BA in Accounting/Finance
• Experience managing accounting for both U.S. and international entities, ensuring compliance with multiple regulatory requirements.
• Expert knowledge of general ledger, consolidations, month end close process, and GAAP.
• Familiarity and eagerness to work with CFO on Non-GAAP financial/investor reporting.
• Strong, analytical communication (verbal and written), and project management skills.
• Experience with QuickBooks, Zuora, or NetSuite experience is preferred
• Ability to manage deployment of new software/accounting systems.
• Demonstrated ability to partner with cross-functional stakeholders – notably Sales
• Proactive & independent; solution oriented, creative, & endlessly curious; high attention to detail & extremely diligent

Bonus :

• Proven experience transitioning and implementing an ERP upgrade within an organization
• Strong FP&A experience, including financial planning, budgeting, forecasting, and variance analysis.

• Competitive salary
• Employee Incentive Stock Option Plan
• Paid Parental, Family & Medical Leave
• Unlimited Vacation
• 401k
• Wellness Stipend
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Thrive After Five: in recognition of our long-tenured employees, Guru celebrates your five year anniversary with a $10,000 personal travel reimbursement
• Remote perks
• Generous medical benefits package
• Guru-sponsored company & team events, no matter where you work

Guru is a dynamic, fast growing start-up based in Philadelphia and San Francisco. Our mission is to reinvent the way people connect with meaningful information at work. Guru’s knowledge management solution provides customer-facing teams access to expert-verified information where they work and when they need it most. We believe in cultivating a welcoming, inclusive culture that encourages personal growth through working hard and having fun.

Launched in September 2015, our vision is backed by an amazing group of investors including FirstMark Capital, Salesforce, Michael Dell, the Slack Fund, Emergence Capital, Thrive Capital and Accel. As we enter the next exciting stage of expansion, we're searching for passionate individuals to join our rapidly growing team.

This is a full-time position that can be out of our Philadelphia office. Re-location and/or Visa Sponsorship is not included in our hiring package. Applicants will need to be authorized to work in the US and residing in a state where Guru is a registered employer.

We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity at our company. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status.

All are welcome here. At Guru, being inclusive is very important to us. Regardless of race, age, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender identification, or background.

We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us at [email protected] to request accommodation.