Controller

About Highnote 

Founded in 2020 by a team of leaders from Braintree, PayPal, and Lending Club, Highnote is an embedded finance company that sets the standard in modern card platform management. As an all-in-one card issuer processor and program management platform, we provide digital-first organizations with the flexibility to seamlessly issue and process payment cards, embed virtual and physical card payments, and integrate ledger and wallet functionalities—empowering businesses to drive growth and profitability.

We’ve raised $145M+ and have grown our team to 125+ employees. Headquartered in San Francisco, we’ve managed to build one of the most advanced payments teams in the industry, with team members in 25+ US states. 

Operating through our core values of customer obsession, executional excellence, intentional inclusion, we’re helping businesses grow for the future by creating the payment products demanded by tomorrow, with the ability to solve for use cases that don’t exist yet.

We are fast-moving, hands-on, and strongly believe everyone deserves a seat at the table. We believe we’re unlocking incredible opportunities that can change the future of payments, as long as we have the right people to make it happen. 

Job Description 

Highnote is seeking a hands-on, detail-oriented Controller to lead and scale our accounting and finance operations. As Controller, you will be responsible for the critical financial backbone of Highnote—ensuring accurate financial reporting, building scalable accounting processes, and driving operational excellence. This is a roll-up-your-sleeves role where you’ll not only own the day-to-day accounting functions but also play a critical role in shaping the company’s financial foundation to support our rapid growth. You’ll work cross-functionally with internal teams and external partners to optimize financial processes, and provide strategic insights.

This is a unique opportunity for someone who thrives in a fast-paced startup environment, enjoys being hands-on, and is eager to grow as the company scales. Ideal candidates will have a proven track record as hands-on accounting leaders within  high-growth payments or fintech companies. 

Key Responsibilities

• Accounting Operations: Lead and execute all aspects of accounting operations, including the month-end close, ensuring the timely and accurate preparation of financial statements in strict adherence to GAAP and payroll accounting.
• Audit & Compliance: Collaborate with external auditors and internal teams to manage audits and ensure full compliance with financial regulations, industry standards and investment obligations.
• Internal Controls: Develop and implement robust accounting policies and procedures to strengthen internal controls as the company scales.
• Process Improvement: Continuously refine and optimize the month-end close processes and financial reporting standards, enhancing systems to support rapid company growth.
• Tax Management: Ensure the company’s tax position is effectively managed and all tax returns are filed accurately and on time. 
• Financial Reconciliation: Manage accounts payable, accounts receivable, and payroll reconciliation to maintain accurate financial records.
• Lead and optimize financial processes, automation, and system implementations to support growth.
• Partner with FP&A to provide financial insights, cash flow management, and forecasting.

What we are looking for:

• Experience: 15+ years in accounting, with at least 5 years in senior leadership roles within a high-growth fintech or payments company.

• Expertise: In-depth understanding of the payments ecosystem including economics, interchange rules, and payment accounting principles.

• Leadership: Demonstrated success in driving results in a fast-paced, dynamic environment.

• Systems Proficiency: Extensive experience with ERP systems (such as NetSuite and Bill.com) and ability to leverage technology to optimize financial processes.

• Education: CPA required. A bachelor’s degree in Accounting or a related field with a solid understanding of payment-related accounting law and regulatory standards.

• Exceptional Judgment & Integrity: Strong decision-making and reasoning capabilities and excellent judgment 

• Adaptability: Thrives in dynamic, ambiguous startup environments, able to introduce structure and scalable processes that support growth.

• Communication: Excellent communicator - able to collaborate effectively across departments and provide clear, concise information to executives and other internal and external stakeholders.

• Detail oriented and Results-Driven: A hands-on, action-oriented leader who takes ownership and consistently delivers outcomes and has an outrageous attention to detail.

Why Highnote?

• We’re a startup that allows for our employees to truly build from the ground up and impact every layer of our organization. 
• We’re a team of payments obsessed individuals. While some of us come from the fintech world, some of us don’t. We value the varied backgrounds and the diverse perspectives of our employees. 
• We’re small on hierarchy and big on growth. We’re a flat organization that allows everyone to have direct exposure to our leadership team. We are looking for builders who thrive in ambiguity. 
• We’re backed by Oak HC/FT, Costanoa Ventures, Adams Street Partners, Westcap, and Pinegrove Venture Partners. Angel Investors include Bill Ready (CEO at Pinterest) and Renaud Laplanche (Co-Founder & CEO of Upgrade).

Highnote benefits

• Flexible Paid Time Off 
• 100% healthcare coverage + 75% coverage for dependents
• 401k program
• Paid Parental Leave: Up to 16 weeks paid leave for the birth parent, and up to 6 weeks paid leave for the non-birth parent
• Equity in Highnote
• Stipend to build out your home office; internet and phone reimbursement
• At Highnote we have built a total rewards philosophy that includes fair, equitable, geo-based compensation that is performance and potential based. Our compensation packages are competitive based on robust market research and are a combination of a cash salary, equity, and benefits. In compliance with the Equal Pay for Equal Work Act, the annual salary range for applicants is $140,00-$180,000. 

Please note that positions located in San Francisco are hybrid and include core working days of Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday in office.  We provide flexible work options based on distance from our downtown SF office. Highnote believes in the power of face-to-face, personal connection. As a result, we prioritize in-person candidates. 

Highnote is a diverse and inclusive company committed to growing a diverse and inclusive team. We invite people from all backgrounds and identities to apply. We do not discriminate based on gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, race, religion, age, national origin, citizenship, disability, pregnancy status, veteran status, or any other characteristics protected by US federal state or local laws, or the laws of the country or jurisdiction where you work. Additionally, we encourage everyone to share which pronouns you wish for us to use when addressing you (i.e.: she/her, he/him, they/them, etc).