Controller

AfterQuery is an applied research lab curating data solutions for foundation model development. We serve every frontier AI lab with the mission of delivering the best data to power the best models. In doing so, we can make expertise that once took a lifetime to build available to anyone who needs it.

Our customers are the ones building the foundation models themselves and our work sits directly in the loop of how those systems improve. This is a rare opportunity to join a company at a defining moment in AI. Forbes reported that we could be YC's fastest unicorn, reportedly raising at a $3.2 billion valuation. We're based in San Francisco and backed by leading investors including Altos Ventures, BoxGroup, and Y Combinator and angels from Google DeepMind, OpenAI, Anthropic, Meta Superintelligence Labs, and Microsoft AI.

This is our first accounting hire, reporting to the Head of Finance & Accounting. You will own the close, revenue recognition, cost matching and our first audit, choose the ERP, and build the accounting function AI-native from the start.

This is a hands-on role for someone who wants to get into the weeds and build. You start as the only in-house accountant, working with our fractional accounting team, and grow the team as the function grows. A prior Controller title is not required. We weigh what you have built over the titles you have held.

• Own the general ledger and the monthly close end to end, including reconciliations and journal entry review.

• Own revenue recognition under ASC 606 for large, non-recurring contracts with acceptance terms.

• Own the revenue and cost tie-out from delivery and billing data to the ledger.

• Define cost of goods sold, variable costs and cost matching, including expert and contractor payments and inference.

• Direct the fractional accounting team on operational accounting, including AR, AP, cash and equity.

• Own stock-based compensation accounting and 409A coordination with external valuation specialists.

• Lead the move to accrual-basis US GAAP financials and our first external audit.

• Build the controls and evidence a first audit requires.

• Document material accounting judgments in policies and memos.

• Automate the close with AI and agentic workflows, with review controls that keep it auditable.

• Run the bake-off for an AI-forward ERP and own the implementation.

• Set the roadmap for when to automate, outsource to a vendor, or expand headcount.

• Own tax compliance with external tax advisors, including federal and state filings, estimated payments and contractor information reporting.

• Own the income tax provision and support tax planning, including credits and incentives.

• Own the monthly financial statements and the accounting package for the board.

• Review non-standard contracts with commercial legal and Sales before they are signed.

• Partner with Revenue Operations and People on expert payments and payroll.

• Build the team as the function grows.

• Automation you built that replaced accounting work, with results you can quantify.

• ASC 606 experience, ideally with services or usage-based revenue and acceptance terms.

• Independent judgment on accounting policy, backed by memos that hold up with auditors.

• Cost accounting experience, including cost matching for a contractor or expert workforce.

• Advise founders on the accounting impact of deals and decisions before they are made.

• Hands-on experience running a monthly close end to end.

• A Big Four audit foundation and hands-on industry experience.

• A builder who can go from a blank page to a running process without slowing the company down.

• High ownership, low ego, and comfort with direct feedback. You stay accountable for both the monthly grind and the year-long build.

• Comfortable in a 5-day in-office SF environment that prizes speed and direct feedback.

• Experience on the company side of an audit.

• ERP selection or implementation, ideally an AI-forward system.

• Income tax provision (ASC 740) or corporate tax experience.

• SQL, Python, BigQuery or Claude Code.

• CPA.