Controller - Sound Agriculture

The Controller oversees Sound Agriculture’s accounting, financial reporting, and overall financial operations. Responsibilities include preparing and managing internal financial reports, handling audits and compliance obligations, supervising bank accounts, and enhancing financial policies and procedures to support a rapidly growing organization. 

The ideal candidate is a seasoned finance professional with the ability to adapt to the changing demands of a fast-paced environment, collaborating across departments to drive strategic financial planning and operational efficiency. We will not consider candidates without deep technical accounting knowledge and familiarity with Ramp and Netsuite. 

This position reports directly to the CFO and is a Director level position. The Controller will have one direct report and can work remotely in the United States or choose to work onsite in our Berkeley headquarters on a hybrid schedule. Expected travel is approximately 5%. 

Compensation Target

$159,000 to $181,000 base salary, bonus target 20%

Bonuses are earned based on annual company and individual performance and are prorated based on start date. 

Sound reserves the ability to adjust the compensation range based on the final candidate’s experience, skillset, and geography. In addition to on target earnings, we offer above average equity grants for the industry as we believe that every employee should have a stake in the company’s growth. If you’re above this compensation target, we encourage you to reach out and discuss the entire package and opportunity before deciding not to pursue this position. 

Responsibilities

• Partner with the CFO to develop accounting and management reporting processes and procedures 
• Lead internal accounting function, complete month end close-out, develop and maintain timely and accurate financial statements in accordance with U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) along with robust supporting documentation 
• Directly operate the Accounts Payable role utilizing the RAMP software to ensure timely submission of expenses & related reports, approval of purchases and issuing and tracking of Purchase Orders according to the company’s approval matrix
• Develop and maintain robust financial controls for the organization 
• Manage AR / Payroll, Credit & Collections, Banking relationships and partner with Operations to manage / enhance the Materials & Equipment flows, various U.S. Statutory tax requirements such as Income, Real & Personal Property, Franchise, Value-Added, State registrations and Sales & Use Taxes
• In partnership with the CFO who will lead, develop and deploy Audit strategy for the company
• Coordinate oversight and monthly reconciliation of inventory across multiple partners and Netsuite
• Work in partnership with FP&A to support annual/quarterly/monthly forecasting and budgeting
• Coordinate IT function with outsourced IT managed services partner
• Coordinate HR systems support with People team
• Communicate across functions, setting clear expectations both in what is required of those functions from a finance/accounting perspective as well as when relevant information will be provided, as requested

Targeted Skills & Experience 

• Experience developing Controls & Accounting standards in growth-stage companies (preferably in Biotech, agriculture or real-world businesses)
• Deep understanding of excellence in financial structure and processes
• Experience supporting the scale up of new technologies or new commercial initiatives successes
• 8+ years of experience in Finance/Accounting with CPA and experience in public accounting (Big 4) strongly preferred
• Have direct, multi-year experience with Netsuite and RAMP from journaling to settings management to coordinating light development
• Systems strength with experience in integration between Netsuite, Salesforce and other platforms
• Ability to effectively operate in a growth company atmosphere, dealing well with fast learning/ reacting quickly / readjusting priorities as appropriate

This role demonstrates Sound’s core values by: 

• Boldness: Contributing to strategic discussions through data-driven insights
• Ownership: Ensuring integrity and quality of external reporting through data accuracy and consistency of our internal systems and appropriate controls 
• Respect: Valuing input and collaboration across levels and teams to drive common understanding of processes and compliance
• Creativity: Identifying opportunities to make processes more efficient, reduce friction with internal customers or more elegantly achieve other KPIs