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Controller

Palo Alto, California, United States

Who We Are

Lightning AI is the company reimagining the way AI is built. After creating and releasing PyTorch Lightning in 2019, Lightning AI was launched to reshape the development of artificial intelligence products for commercial and academic use.

We are on a mission to simplify AI development, making it accessible to everyone—from solo researchers to large enterprises. By removing the complexity of building and deploying AI tools, we empower innovators to focus on solving real-world problems. Our platform is built to scale with the latest AI advancements while staying intuitive and adaptable, so you can bring your ideas to life.

We have offices in New York City, Palo Alto, and London and are backed by investors such as Coatue, Index Ventures, Bain Capital Ventures, and Firstminute.

Our Values

  • Move Fast: We act with speed and precision, breaking down big challenges into achievable steps.

  • Focus: We complete one goal at a time with care, collaborating as a team to deliver features with precision.

  • Balance: Sustained performance comes from rest and recovery. We ensure a healthy work-life balance to keep you at your best.

  • Craftsmanship: Innovation through excellence. Every detail matters, and we take pride in mastering our craft.

  • Minimal: Simplicity drives our innovation. We eliminate complexity through discipline and focus on what truly matters.

What we're looking for

We are looking for a controller as our first in-house financial member of the team. This candidate will have vast knowledge and experience in SaaS and GAAP accounting practices. The Financial Controller will play a key role in providing financial insights to support strategic decision-making and driving the company's financial growth. This is an exciting opportunity to get in early at a Series B company and influence the future of the finance team at Lightning AI.

You will be joining the Finance Team and report to our COO. This is a hybrid role based in either our New York City or Palo Alto office with in-office requirements of 2 days per week. The salary range for this role is $180,000-$220,000. 

What you’ll do

  • Oversee all financial operations including accounting, budgeting, forecasting, and financial reporting for Lightning AI
  • Coordinate and direct the preparation of the budget and financial forecasts and report variances
  • Prepare and publish timely monthly financial statements including balance sheets, income statements and cash flow statements
  • Conduct financial analysis to pinpoint trends, variances, and opportunities for improvement and cost cutting, pertaining to cloud costs specifically
  • Monitor cash flow, liquidity, and financial performance to support effective cash management and decision-making in respects to company runway
  • Manage and comply with local, state, and federal government reporting requirements and tax filings; ensure accuracy and compliance with regulatory standards
  • Support the executive team with key financial information and operational analytics, and drive a culture of accountability in managing the business
  • Develop and document business processes and accounting policies to maintain and strengthen internal controls
  • Leverage previous experience at a professional accounting firm and as a controller at a venture backed SaaS company

What you’ll need

  • Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field; CPA or equivalent certification preferred.
  • Extensive experience in finance and accounting within a SaaS or technology company, with a solid understanding of GAAP accounting
  • Strong analytical skills, with experience in budgeting, forecasting, and financial planning. Ability to conduct in-depth financial analyses, particularly around cloud and operational costs.
  • Proficiency with ERP and financial systems (e.g., NetSuite, QuickBooks) and advanced Excel skills. Familiarity with cloud cost management is a plus.
  • In-depth understanding of local, state, and federal reporting requirements and compliance standards. Preferred understanding of UK regulations as well as US regulations.
  • Excellent interpersonal and communication skills for presenting financial insights to senior leadership and collaborating with cross-functional teams.
  • Ability to thrive in a dynamic, fast-paced environment, with the confidence to shape and lead financial operations in a growing startup.
  • Demonstrated ability to make data-driven decisions, prioritize tasks effectively, and contribute to high-impact strategic initiatives.

Benefits and Perks

We offer competitive base salaries and stock options with a 25% one year cliff and monthly vesting thereafter. For our international employees, we work with Velocity Global to pay you in your local currency and provide equitable benefits across the globe.

In the US, we offer:

  • Medical, dental and vision
  • Life and AD&D insurance 
  • Flexible paid time off plus 1 week of winter closure
  • Generous paid family leave benefits
  • $500 monthly meal reimbursement, including groceries & food delivery services
  • $1,000 home office stipend
  • $1,000 annual learning & development stipend 
  • 100% Citibike membership (NYC only)
  • $45/month gym membership 
  • Additional various medical and mental health services

At Lightning AI, we are committed to fostering an inclusive and diverse workplace. We believe that diverse teams drive innovation and create better products. We provide equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other protected characteristic. We are dedicated to building a culture where everyone can thrive and contribute to their fullest potential.

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