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Controller

San Francisco, CA

We're looking for a highly motivated, operationally-minded Controller to lead and shape our accounting and finance operations. You’ll be a key player in our Finance team and a close partner to the VP of Finance & Ops, combining a strong accounting background with operational finance to help us scale systems, support decision-making, and drive strategic planning. You’ll own the day-to-day accounting function while stepping into broader operational projects.

You’re hands-on and collaborative — you've led audits, closed books, managed equity, and handled tax compliance — but you also have a keen interest in working cross-functionally, shaping budgets and forecasts, and supporting the company’s growth.

What You’ll Do:

  • Oversee and manage all aspects of financial reporting, including monthly, quarterly, and annual closes, and preparation of consolidated financial statements.
  • Manage and maintain NetSuite, ensuring accurate and timely financial data, integrations, and reporting workflows.
  • Lead revenue recognition processes, accounts payable/receivable, billing operations, and respond to external diligence requests.
  • Lead payroll and oversee payroll compliance, collaborating closely with People Ops on compensation strategies and execution.
  • Manage spend and procurement processes across the organization, ensuring efficient use of resources, compliance, and cost control.
  • Own and manage equity administration, including reporting, budgeting, and compliance.
  • Oversee compliance and filings related to federal, state, and local income taxes, as well as sales tax.
  • Drive improvements in internal controls, accounting procedures, and financial systems, automating processes to enhance accuracy and efficiency.
  • Collaborate cross-functionally with Finance, People Ops, Legal, and other teams to support business decisions, provide financial insights, support Forecasting, participate in contract negotiations and legal reviews.
  • Manage key relationships with external providers, including accountants, auditors, bankers, insurance carriers, and tax advisors.
  • Oversee billing operations and the full quote-to-cash process, ensuring accuracy, timeliness, and a smooth customer experience across systems and teams.
  • Assist with special projects and initiatives that support Descript's growth and operational needs.

What You Bring:

  • 8+ years of progressive accounting experience, ideally with a mix of Big 4 and operational roles in high-growth SaaS environments
  • Extensive knowledge of US GAAP, especially ASC 606 Revenue Recognition.
  • Strong experience with ERP systems, particularly NetSuite.
  • Proven experience managing payroll, compensation, and equity administration in a growing company.
  • Familiarity with procurement processes, cost management, and budgeting.
  • Hands-on experience managing close processes, audits, AP, AR, and compliance.
  • Operational mindset with the ability to dive deep into data, improve processes, and provide actionable insights.
  • Comfortable reviewing and assisting with contract negotiations and legal documentation.
  • Demonstrated ability to build systems and procedures from scratch, bringing structure and clarity to complex and evolving environments.
  • You're ideal for this role if you're strategic yet hands-on, excel at problem-solving, and thrive in fast-paced, dynamic organizations.

The base salary range for this role is $205,000 - $240,000/year. Final offer amounts will carefully consider multiple factors, including prior experience, expertise, location, and may vary from the amount above.

 

About Descript

Descript is building a simple, intuitive, fully-powered editing tool for video and audio — an editing tool built for the age of AI. We are a team of 150 — with a proven CEO and the backing of some of the world's greatest investors (OpenAI, Andreessen Horowitz, Redpoint Ventures, Spark Capital). 

Descript is the special company that's in possession of both product market fit and the raw materials (passionate user community, great product, large market) for growth, but is still early enough that each new employee has a measurable influence on the direction of the company.

Benefits include a generous healthcare package, catered lunches, and flexible vacation time. Our headquarters are located in the Mission District of San Francisco, CA. We're looking to hire people who are local and able to join us at the office when needed. We're flexible, and you're an adult—we don't expect or mandate that you're in the office every day. But we do believe there are valuable and serendipitous moments of discovery and collaboration that come from working together in person. 

Descript is an equal opportunity workplace—we are dedicated to equal employment opportunities regardless of race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship, marital status, disability, gender identity, or Veteran status. We believe in actively building a team rich in diverse backgrounds, experiences, and opinions to better allow our employees, products, and community to thrive. 

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