What are the responsibilities and job description for the Senior Accountant position at San Diego Stealth Startup?
Position Overview
We are seeking a proactive, hands-on, detail-oriented Senior Accountant to support the Controller across our growing accounting function. This role is responsible for executing key accounting processes, including monthly close activities, reconciliations, general ledger activities, and day-to-day accounting work, with a focus on driving efficient close processes and continuous improvement across the accounting organization.
We are looking for a high potential candidate who is curious, adaptable, and eager to grow alongside the Company, taking on an expanding range of responsibilities as the accounting function evolves. This is an opportunity to help build an accounting infrastructure from the ground up, establish processes with automation and modern tools, and establish a strong foundation of accuracy, controls and operational excellence. This is a foundational hire for the accounting organization and offers significant hands-on experience, visibility, and long-term growth potential.
Key Responsibilities
Month-End Close & Financial Reporting
- Prepare journal entries and account reconciliations across cash, prepaid expenses, payables, accruals, fixed assets, leases, and other key balance sheet accounts
- Follow the close calendar and checklist, using the company’s close management tools to manage and document the process
- Prepare supporting schedules and account-level analytics to support monthly financial statement preparation
- Analyze monthly financial results and investigate significant variances or unusual transactions
- Help identify and resolve close issues in real time, escalating to the Controller as needed
Accounts Payable, Fixed Assets & General Ledger
- Process accounts payable and maintain the fixed asset register
- Process employee expense reports
- Help ensure accurate, consistent GL coding across departments and adherence to the company’s policies and procedures
- Partner with department leaders to understand business activities and ensure transactions are accurately reflected in the financial statements
Systems & Process
- Work within the finance systems current stack, including NetSuite, FloQast, JPMorgan, and Carta
- Contribute to process documentation and continuous improvement of accounting workflows
- Help maintain and strengthen internal controls by identifying process improvements and ensuring adherence to accounting policies
- Appropriately leverage AI-enabled tools and automation to streamline routine accounting activities, such as data entry, account reconciliations, and reporting, freeing up time for higher-value analysis, while exercising sound professional judgment and maintaining data confidentiality
- Bring a willingness to learn and adopt new automation and AI-enabled workflow tools as they're introduced
Technical Accounting & Compliance
- Apply US GAAP to recurring transactions, including leases (ASC 842), R&D cost classification (ASC 730/360), and equity compensation, with support from the Controller on more complex or judgmental items
- Assist with annual audit preparation, including gathering support for PBC list items and auditor requests
- Support tax and other compliance-related filings as needed
Qualifications
Required
- 5 years of progressive accounting experience
- Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or related discipline
- Solid working knowledge of GAAP and hands-on experience with month-end close, reconciliations, and general ledger accounting
- A strong sense of ownership and a hands-on, roll-up-your-sleeves attitude
- Genuine eagerness to broaden their accounting experience and grow into greater scope and responsibility over time
- Strong organizational skills and comfort managing multiple workstreams simultaneously
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to investigate issues, identify root causes, and recommend practical solutions
- A high level of integrity, discretion, and accountability in managing confidential information
- Excellent communication skills and a collaborative, team-oriented approach
Preferred
- CPA (or actively pursuing) and public accounting experience is a plus
- Experience with NetSuite, FloQast, Bill.com/Divvy, or Rippling
- Prior experience in a venture-backed, growth-stage, or life sciences organization
- Comfort using AI-enabled tools to streamline routine accounting work
What Success Looks Like
- Close-related journal entries, reconciliations, and compliance activities are accurate, timely, and well documented
- Financial results are reviewed with a questioning mindset; variances, unusual transactions, and unexpected trends are investigated and resolved rather than simply processed
- The Controller has a reliable, hands-on partner who can be trusted with an expanding range of responsibilities
- Over time, this individual is taking on greater scope and is on a clear path toward a more senior role within the accounting organization
Why Join Us
- Build a broad accounting skill set spanning operational accounting, technical accounting, financial reporting, systems, process improvement, and automation
- Work closely with the Controller and VP Finance during a formative, high-visibility stage of the company's growth
- A genuine growth path toward a more senior role within the accounting organization as you build experience and the company scales
- Competitive compensation and equity package, comprehensive benefits, and flexibility to support work-life integration.
We are an equal opportunity employer. We thrive on diversity and collaboration.
Salary : $92,000 - $104,000