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Assistant Controller

San Francisco, California, United States

At Instawork, our mission is to create meaningful economic opportunities for local businesses and skilled hourly professionals in communities around the world. We're building the leading AI-powered labor marketplace—and we're looking for exceptional talent to help us scale quickly and make an even greater impact. Backed by world-class investors like Benchmark, Spark Capital, Craft Ventures, Greylock, Y Combinator, and others, we’re transforming the way the world works.

We're looking for an operationally-minded Assistant Controller who will lead our Accounting department, creating and maintaining financial reporting, overseeing audits, and helping us to build streamlined processes. Reporting to the CFO, the ideal candidate is excited to work in a fast-paced and challenging environment and own critical decision-making responsibilities to build the team and infrastructure. Someone who can be a player-coach, adept at manipulating, analyzing and auditing large volumes of data, but also a skilled people manager.

What You'll Do:

  • Own the financial close process and all associated processes and reporting to deliver accurate and timely results to the organization to facilitate critical decision making.
  • Monthly analysis of business results, finance and operating metrics.
  • Ensure consistent implementation of accounting principles and procedures in compliance with US GAAP.
  • Develop, implement and maintain the internal systems and financial controls consistent with Instawork’s policies and regulatory guidelines, ensuring compliance with all local, state and federal tax requirements and filings.
  • Direct all aspects of daily global accounting operations including AR, AP and cash management.
  • Provide leadership and vision for scaling the team and our financial infrastructure to keep up with the demands of Instawork’s high-growth business.
  • Understand and document reporting needs, collaborate on operational issues, develop creative solutions in the absence of perfect systems, and provide business guidance and insight through financial reporting.
  • Coordinate with external firm(s) to provide support for financial audit, tax filings, insurance, and other requests as the needs arise.
  • As a critical leader, the Assistant Controller will build relationships and partner with all departments to provide data and insights to help managers run the company and make effective decisions.
  • Evaluate opportunities for scale and growth and consider ways to drive efficiency and automation.
  • Engage with business leaders to proactively advise and guide on risks and controls for new projects, programs, or initiatives.

Who You Are:

  • CPA and bachelor’s degree in accounting, finance, or business is required.
  • 10+ years of relevant experience in high growth complex environments, ideally with a combination of experience with a Big 4 accounting firm.
  • Proven track record of building strong teams and leading/influencing others through highly cross-functional projects.
  • Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to articulate issues and solutions to all levels of management.
  • Highest standards of accuracy and precision; extremely organized, detail-oriented, and mindful of deadlines.
  • Strong ERP systems experience, preferably in NetSuite.

For CA based applicants:

  • The base salary for this position is $160,000 - $200,000.
  • This position is eligible for equity in the form of stock options.
  • This position is eligible for Instawork benefits, including:
    • A variety of medical, dental, and vision plans with coverage beginning on the date of hire
    • Flexible paid time off
    • At least 8 paid company holidays annually
    • Home office stipend
    • Phone stipend
    • Commuter stipend
    • Supplemental pay on qualified leaves
    • Employee health savings accounts (HSA) contribution
    • Flexible spending plans
    • 401K plan
    • Perkspot - discount program through Lumity

A variety of factors are considered when determining someone’s compensation including a candidate’s professional background, experience, and location.  Final offer amounts may vary from the amounts listed above.

Instawork Values:

  • Bias for Action -- We are a growing team and an evolving product. We want a team of do’ers to drive the company forward, even if it means making decisions with incomplete information or being wrong.
  • Act Like an Owner -- Treat this company as though it is your own. Execute on the fundamentals, and act creatively to drive growth. Your ability to drive impact in any part of our company is only limited by your courage and conviction, not your job title.
  • Always Be Learning -- We are changing an entire industry. We strive to learn from each other and get better each day, week, and month, so that our team’s learnings can compound and we can all improve, together.
  • Empathy, Trust, Candor -- Empathy for our business partners and professionals means we put ourselves in their shoes. Empathy for our colleagues means we are always upfront and honest with each other, which comes from trust.

About Instawork

Founded in 2016, Instawork is the leading flexible work app for local, hourly professionals. Its digital marketplace connects thousands of businesses and more than seven million workers, filling a critical role in local economies. Instawork has been featured on CBS News, the Wall Street Journal, The Washington Post, Associated Press, and more. In 2025, Instawork was named the Workforce Hiring Solution of the Year by RetailTech Breakthrough. Instawork was ranked among the country’s top 10% of fastest-growing companies by Inc. 5000 in 2022 and 2023, and was included in the Forbes Next Billion Dollar Startup list. Instawork was also named the 2022 ACE Award recipient for “Best Innovation” and one of the “Best Business Apps” by Business Insider. Instawork helps businesses in the food & beverage, hospitality, and warehouse/logistics industries fill temporary and permanent job opportunities in more than 50 markets across the U.S. and Canada. 

At Instawork, we constantly evaluate how to build an optimal work environment for success. We’re transitioning back to fully in the office five days a week, and as we continue to grow, we're seeking candidates who are excited about contributing to our in-person culture.

For more information visit www.instawork.com

We value diversity on our team and firmly believe Instawork is stronger when we hire people who make their own unique contributions to our culture. We welcome all applicants and encourage candidates from underrepresented backgrounds to apply. 

To learn more about our company values, please visit: https://info.instawork.com/about

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