Assistant Controller

About Avalara

Avalara is on a mission to be part of every transaction in the world, scaling as a multi-billion-dollar global SaaS company. They are an AI-first company, embedding AI into workflows, decision-making, and products.

The Opportunity: Assistant Controller

The Assistant Controller plays a critical leadership role in building a high-performing, globally consistent, and automation-enabled accounting organization at Avalara. This strategic and operationally minded leader will drive operational excellence across the global close, consolidations, technical accounting execution, internal controls, and financial systems transformation. This role requires deep US GAAP expertise, experience in SaaS or technology environments, and a proven ability to modernize accounting operations through automation, systems optimization, and global process redesign. The Assistant Controller will partner closely with Finance, Operations, IT, and international teams to deliver a unified, scalable accounting model.

Key Responsibilities

• Financial Close & Reporting: Lead global monthly, quarterly, and annual close processes, ensuring accuracy, US GAAP compliance, and operational scalability. Aim to reduce close timelines to public-company benchmarks through automation and improved global workflows. Oversee GAAP-compliant reporting packages and deliver high-quality financial results.
• Accounting Operations Leadership: Manage end-to-end accounting operations, including payroll, fixed assets, capitalized software, cloud computing, prepaid and expense accounting, and consolidations. Drive the shift to a unified, global accounting model with strong documentation and clear ownership, optimizing shared services in India for improved quality and efficiency.
• Systems, Automation & Process Transformation: Lead the rollout and adoption of new accounting and AI-enabled tools, supporting implementation of future-state GL and subledgers. Eliminate manual accounting steps by implementing automated workflows. Partner with IT, Finance Systems, and global teams to enhance ERP functionality and strengthen system integrity.
• Technical Accounting & Policy Leadership: Serve as a subject-matter expert on US GAAP (e.g., ASC 340-40, ASC 842, capitalized software, stock-based compensation). Ensure accounting policies are current, practical, and consistently applied globally. Support complex accounting assessments related to global expansion, new products, and partner arrangements.
• Internal Controls, SOX Compliance & Risk Management: Strengthen Avalara’s internal control environment with scalable policies and review procedures. Partner with Internal Audit to monitor and enhance SOX compliance, remediate deficiencies, and improve testing and documentation standards. Establish global workflows for audit readiness.
• Analytical Procedures & Accounting Analysis: Build and institutionalize robust analytical review procedures, including predictive analytics. Improve variance analysis quality and align financial review processes with business drivers and KPIs. Drive continuous improvement in data quality and close rigor.
• Cross-Functional & Strategic Partnership: Partner with FP&A, Revenue Accounting, Billing, Legal, Tax, HR, and Global Operations for alignment on initiatives. Support M&A due diligence, Day-1 readiness, and integration activities. Provide accounting leadership for global expansion.
• Team Leadership & Development: Lead, mentor, and inspire a global accounting team (onshore and offshore). Establish clear ownership, documentation standards, and ongoing training. Foster a culture aligned with Avalara’s OPAH FOCUS values.

What You’ll Need To Be Successful

• Required Qualifications: Bachelor’s degree in Accounting or Finance (Master's/MBA preferred); CPA strongly preferred. 15+ years of progressive accounting experience in leadership roles within high-growth or large public-company environments. Strong command of US GAAP, including technical areas relevant to global SaaS operations. Demonstrated success scaling accounting operations and improving close timelines through automation and process redesign. Hands-on experience implementing or upgrading ERP/GL systems and leveraging AI-enabled tools. Experience leading global accounting organizations and establishing centers of excellence. Proven ability to build analytical review procedures and enhance close rigor. Experience supporting global expansion, multi-entity operations, and multi-currency consolidation. Prior public-company and SOX compliance experience.
• Preferred Qualifications: Experience with M&A integration, international statutory compliance, and complex consolidation environments. Background in SaaS or subscription-based technology companies. Big 4 public accounting experience combined with industry operational leadership.

Life at Avalara

Avalara is an Equal Opportunity Employer, committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion, with 8 employee-run resource groups. They offer a total rewards package including competitive compensation, paid time off, parental leave, and bonuses, with health & wellness benefits varying by location.

Key skills/competency

• US GAAP
• Accounting Operations
• Financial Close Management
• SOX Compliance
• ERP Systems
• Process Automation
• Technical Accounting
• Global Consolidations
• Leadership Development
• AI in Accounting