Financial Reporting Manager - Build the Finance Foundation at a YC/Sequoia-Backed AI Startup

Robert Half is thrilled to partner with a fast-scaling, venture-backed enterprise AI startup on their first internal finance hire. As a Financial Reporting Manager, you'll bring structure, clarity, and operating discipline to a high-growth company transitioning finance in-house. This isn't a traditional back-office role—it's a foundational position with direct access to the founder and leadership team at a Series A AI innovator backed by top-tier investors like Y Combinator and Sequoia.

If you're a startup accounting and finance professional who thrives working directly with founders, enjoys building from scratch, and craves real ownership, this New York City-based opportunity offers $160K–$190K base + bonus + meaningful equity. Join ahead of Q1 momentum and define the financial backbone as the company scales.

About the Role

This Senior Controller / Founding Finance Lead position exists to professionalize finance after reliance on outsourced firms and part-time CPA support. Growth has hit the inflection point where a single owner is needed to clean up books, implement scalable processes, and prepare for mid-year expansion. You'll report directly to the founder, partnering with commercial leadership to drive financial clarity and support strategic decisions in a high-velocity AI environment.

New York, NY's onsite culture fosters collaboration in one of the world's top tech hubs. With enterprise AI reshaping industries, this role positions you at the forefront of innovation, blending hands-on accounting with strategic FP&A.

Key Responsibilities

As the Financial Reporting Manager, you'll own the entire finance function:

• Execute end-to-end accounting, including precise month-end close cycles.
• Design and implement SOPs for scalable finance operations.
• Oversee payroll, AP/AR, and expense management via company card platforms.
• Produce investor-grade financial statements and customized leadership reporting.
• Lead budgeting, forecasting, and introductory FP&A to guide growth.
• Analyze revenue trends and sales performance for actionable insights.
• Serve as the trusted finance advisor to the founder and exec team.
• Future-proof finance systems for the next funding round and hiring surge.

This role demands getting into the weeds while maintaining a strategic view—perfect for those who love startup chaos turned into structured success.

Required Qualifications

The ideal candidate is a battle-tested startup finance leader with:

• 5+ years in accounting/finance, ideally at Series A/B startups.
• Proven track record building finance from scratch in high-growth settings.
• Deep expertise in GAAP accounting, month-end closes, and financial reporting.
• Hands-on experience with QuickBooks, Netsuite, or similar; payroll tools like Gusto.
• Strong FP&A skills for budgeting, forecasting, and variance analysis.
• Thrives in founder-led environments with direct C-suite access.
• AI/tech sector exposure a plus; YC/Sequoia portfolio experience highly valued.
• Onsite availability in New York City; startup hustle mindset required.

Bonus: Experience at venture-backed AI or enterprise SaaS companies scaling through Series A.

Why Join Us

This is more than a job—it's a career-defining opportunity at a YC/Sequoia-backed enterprise AI startup poised for explosive growth. Enjoy:

• Compensation: $160K–$190K base + performance bonus + equity upside.
• Impact: True ownership shaping finance from day one.
• Access: Work shoulder-to-shoulder with founders in NYC's epicenter.
• Growth: Join before the hiring wave; build for the future.
• Culture: Onsite vibe with high ownership and visibility.

Robert Half places top talent in roles like this. If you're ready to own finance at a high-growth AI leader, apply now and email your resume to alex.muzaurieta@roberthalf.com. Don't miss this chance to build from scratch in New York's thriving tech scene. (748 words)