Controller

Controller

Birdy Grey is looking for a hands-on, audit-seasoned Controller to own our accounting function end to end. Reporting directly to the CFO, you will lead the company through its first external financial statement audit, build a fast and reliable close, and raise our controls, reporting, and documentation to the standard expected of a company preparing for its next strategic chapter. You bring the rigor of public accounting, the scar tissue of a completed M&A transaction, and a working understanding of how inventory, returns, and e-commerce revenue really flow through the P&L of a DTC apparel brand.

Scope of Responsibilities

• Close & Reporting: Own the month-end, quarter-end, and year-end close; drive to a consistent 57 business day close with complete, reviewed balance sheet reconciliations and flux analysis.
• External Audit Leadership: Serve as the primary point of contact for our external auditors; lead the company's first financial statement audit and every audit thereafter, including PBC planning, audit-ready schedules, and technical memos.
• GAAP & Technical Accounting: Own accounting policies and technical positions under US GAAP, including ASC 606 revenue recognition for e-commerce (returns reserves, gift cards, discounts, swatches), ASC 330 inventory, ASC 842 leases, and equity/stock compensation.
• Inventory Accounting: Own inventory costing and valuation, including landed cost capitalization (freight, duty, tariffs), cost-of-goods accuracy, physical count and cycle count reconciliation, and obsolescence/lower-of-cost reserves.
• Transaction Readiness: Partner with the CFO to prepare the finance function for due diligence and potential strategic transactionsdata rooms, quality-of-earnings support, working capital analyses, and clean, defensible historical financials.
• Internal Controls: Design, document, and maintain a scalable internal control environment (segregation of duties, approval workflows, SOX-lite controls) sized for a company of our stage.
• Tax & Compliance: Coordinate with external tax advisors on federal and state income tax, the annual tax provision, multi-state sales tax nexus and remittance, and customs/duty compliance including First Sale.
• Treasury & Cash: Oversee cash management, bank reconciliations, payment controls, and covenant or lender reporting as applicable.
• Systems & Automation: Own the accounting systems stack (QuickBooks Online, Shopify, Fulfil, Bill.com, Brex) and lead close automation and AI-enabled workflows, with a bias toward getting more out of the tools we already have.
• Team Leadership: Lead, mentor, and develop the accounting team; set clear standards, review work, and build a culture of ownership and accuracy.
• Cross-Functional Partnership: Work closely with FP&A, Operations, Merchandising, and Supply Chain so that inventory, purchasing, and vendor terms are recorded accurately and on time.
• Special Projects: Support board reporting, lender and investor requests, and other finance initiatives as needed.

The Right Candidate: Qualifications & Personal Attributes

Education: Bachelor's Degree Required

Experience / Requirements:

• 10+ years of progressive accounting experience, including at least 3 years in public accounting (audit)
• Direct, hands-on experience leading or supporting a company through an M&A transaction (buy-side or sell-side), including due diligence, quality of earnings, and post-close accounting
• Experience in a direct-to-consumer, e-commerce, or apparel/fashion company, with a strong command of inventory accounting and landed cost
• Proven track record owning the close and serving as the primary liaison for an external financial statement audit
• Deep knowledge of US GAAP, particularly revenue recognition, inventory, and reserves
• Experience building or strengthening internal controls in a growth-stage company
• 3+ years managing and developing accounting staff
• Advanced Excel skills; comfortable working with large datasets and reconciling across multiple systems
• Excited about AI and actively leverage AI tools (e.g., Claude, Gemini, Copilot) to accelerate your own work and identify opportunities to embed AI-driven automation across operations
• Impeccable organizational skills and attention to detail
• Excellent verbal, written, and interpersonal communication skills
• Strong analytical skills with the ability to perform data deep dives to surface actionable insights.
• Proactive problem solver with the ability to troubleshoot and/or escalate issues effectively.
• Hard working and willing to roll sleeves up - no job is too big or too small.
• You have an entrepreneurial spirit. You thrive in a dynamic, fast-paced, fluid environment. You are comfortable with ambiguity and take initiative to lead projects.

Nice To Haves:

• Start-up experience
• Interest in bridal and fashion
• Experience leading a company's first audit or an auditor transition
• Experience with import/customs accounting, tariffs, and First Sale programs
• Hands-on experience with QuickBooks Online, Shopify, Fulfil (or a similar ERP), Bill.com, and Brex
• Experience with close automation tools or using AI to streamline accounting workflows
• Familiarity with SQL, BigQuery, or BI tools such as Looker
• Start-up or PE/VC-backed company experience

New York Pay Range $170,000 $185,000 USD

Why Birdy Grey: Benefits & Perks (for eligible Full-Time Employees)

• Competitive Compensation: Based on experience and performance + Annual Performance Bonus
• Healthcare Benefits: 100% employer covered medical dental & vision plans, 50% spouse and dependent medical coverage + access to One Medical + Mental Health Benefits
• Retirement: 401K + up to 4% match after 3 months
• Generous PTO: Flexible Open PTO Policy + 11 paid holidays
• Wellness: A monthly wellness day + monthly wellness stipend + summer Fridays
• Flexibility: Partial remote with a high level of autonomy and accountability
• Employee Discount: Free bridesmaid dresses + 50% discounts on Birdy Grey products
• Family Benefits: 3 months of paid parental leave
• Purpose: Join in the success of a high-growth, 80% women, minority founded, early-stage startup by driving performance and building out new processes

Highlights:

• Birdy Grey is #305 on Inc5000's List of Fastest Growing US Companies 2022
• #22 on BuiltIn's Best Startups to Work for in LA
• Be part of a company innovating the $75B+ US wedding market (IBISWorld, 2019)
• Join a Women Founded Small Business blazing trails in the Bridal industry
• Birdy Grey is making waves on BuzzFeed, The Knot, Brides, People, Allure, PopSugar, Bustle and more
• Named #5 on LA's 50 Hottest Startups in 2020 by Pitchbook & Dot.LA
• Customers can participate in Birdy Grey's giveback program with The Princess Project, a non-profit that provides prom dresses and accessories to teens in need