Controller

Controller (CPA) - Early Stage Labs

Remote (US-based) - Contract to Hire

About Early Stage Labs

Early Stage Labs is a high-touch finance and accounting partner to venture-backed startups. We provide fractional CFO, controller, and bookkeeping services to early-stage companies that are building meaningful businesses - often in complex industries like healthcare, fintech, SaaS, and marketplaces.

Our customers are typically Seed through Series A companies with institutional investors, real growth ambitions, and real operational complexity. We bring financial clarity, discipline, and strategic rigor to companies that are moving fast.

We are growing and looking for a Controller (CPA) to lead the accounting function across multiple client engagements, with a strong preference for healthcare domain expertise.

The Role

This is a contract-to-hire role for a US-based CPA who will serve as Controller across multiple venture-backed startup clients. You will own the accounting function on each engagement and manage bookkeeping resources while collaborating closely with ESL fractional CFOs.

This role is ideal for someone who thrives in early-stage environments, enjoys building systems from scratch, and wants exposure to a portfolio of high-growth companies rather than a single organization.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the accounting function for multiple venture-backed startups, primarily in healthcare
• Own the full monthly close process across engagements - ensure accurate, timely, GAAP-compliant financial statements
• Oversee and manage Accounts Receivable, including billing workflows, collections processes, revenue tracking, and AR aging management
• Oversee and manage Accounts Payable, including vendor onboarding, payment workflows, accruals, and AP aging
• Oversee employee expense reimbursement processes and corporate card programs (Ramp, Brex), ensuring proper coding, controls, and documentation
• Implement and maintain GAAP-compliant accounting policies and procedures
• Own revenue recognition policies, including SaaS, services, healthcare reimbursement models, and multi-element arrangements where applicable
• Manage and mentor bookkeeping team members assigned to each engagement
• Collaborate with ESL fractional CFOs to support board reporting, investor updates, forecasting, and strategic finance initiatives
• Design and implement accounting systems from scratch for early-stage companies
• Improve and optimize existing accounting processes, internal controls, and reporting frameworks
• Support audit readiness, due diligence processes, and lender/investor requests
• Ensure strong internal controls appropriate for venture-backed, scaling companies
• Partner with founders and operators to translate accounting outputs into clear business insights

What We’re Looking For

Required

• Active CPA license
• US-based and authorized to work in the United States
• 6+ years of progressive accounting experience, including controller-level responsibility
• Experience serving venture-backed startups
• Strong healthcare domain expertise (e.g., health tech, provider services, digital health, PC-MSO structures, RCM exposure, multi-entity environments)
• Deep experience with QBO and/or Xero
• Working knowledge of Ramp, Brex, and Bill.com
• Experience managing or reviewing bookkeeping teams
• Comfort operating in ambiguous, fast-moving startup environments
• Highly disciplined, detail-oriented, and committed to producing excellent work product

Strong Plus

• Experience with PC-MSO structures
• Multi-entity and intercompany accounting
• Revenue recognition complexity (SaaS, services, healthcare reimbursement models)
• Experience building accounting infrastructure from scratch

Who You Are

• You are calm in chaos and energized by early-stage environments
• You enjoy building structure where none exists
• You take pride in delivering financials that investors trust
• You are comfortable pushing founders toward better discipline
• You want to help build a firm, not just fill a role

Why Early Stage Labs

• Exposure to a portfolio of venture-backed healthcare innovators
• Work directly with experienced CFOs and high-growth founders
• Remote flexibility with a strong performance culture
• Opportunity to transition from contract to full-time as we scale
• A chance to help build the premier finance partner for early-stage healthcare companies

Compensation

This role will begin as a 1099 contractor. Target full-time equivalent (FTE) compensation range: $150,000-$175,000, depending on experience.

During the contract period, compensation will be structured on a per client engagement basis with a competitive hourly rate grossed up above FT equivalent.

License/Certification:

• CPA (Required)

Work Location: Remote