Controller

Persona AI is developing and commercializing rugged, multi-purpose humanoid robots that perform real work. Persona’s founding team has a decades-long history in humanoid robotics, bionics, and product development delivering robust hardware that has touched the stars, worked miles below the surface of the ocean, and even roamed Disney Parks. Our mission is focused squarely on shipping beautiful, reliable products at massive scale, while building a customer-focused team to achieve these aims.

Position Summary

We are seeking an experienced Controller to lead the accounting and financial reporting function for our future manufacturing operations. Reporting to the CEO, the Controller will own the full accounting cycle, drive cost accounting and inventory accuracy, manage forecasting and budgeting, and lead the implementation and optimization of our financial systems including QuickBooks and Ramp. This is a hands-on, high-impact role for a technical accountant who thrives in a fast-paced technical environment and can balance strategic financial leadership with day-to-day execution.

Key Responsibilities

Cost Accounting, COGS & Manufacturing Finance

• Own standard costing, variance analysis (material, labor, overhead, and PPV), and cost roll-ups.

• Maintain and refine the Cost of Goods Sold (COGS) framework, including bill of materials (BOM) accuracy, labor routing, and overhead absorption rates.

• Partner with operations, engineering, and supply chain leaders to analyze manufacturing margins, identify cost drivers, and recommend corrective actions.

Month-End Close, GAAP Accounting & Financial Reporting

• Lead the monthly, quarterly, and annual close process, ensuring timely and accurate reporting in accordance with U.S. GAAP.

• Prepare and review journal entries, account reconciliations, and supporting schedules for all balance sheet and income statement accounts.

• Produce monthly financial reporting packages, including P&L, balance sheet, cash flow statement, and management commentary on key variances and KPIs.

• Establish and maintain accounting policies, internal controls, and SOX-aligned procedures as the business scales.

Forecasting, Budgeting & FP&A

• Lead the annual budgeting process and rolling forecast cycles in partnership with department heads and executive leadership.

• Build and maintain financial models for revenue, COGS, operating expenses, headcount, capital expenditures, and cash flow.

• Deliver actual-vs-budget analysis with clear narratives on drivers, risks, and opportunities.

Inventory, Procurement & Fixed Asset Management

• Oversee perpetual inventory accounting, cycle counts, physical inventories, and reserves for excess, obsolete, and slow-moving stock.

• Partner with procurement to review purchase orders, vendor terms, and spend controls, ensuring proper accrual and matching.

• Maintain the fixed asset subledger: capitalization policy, depreciation schedules, additions, disposals, and periodic asset verification.

• Track capital projects (CIP), ensuring proper classification and timely placement in service.

Contract Booking, Revenue Recognition & Accruals

• Review customer and vendor contracts to ensure proper revenue recognition, deferred revenue treatment, and accrual accounting under ASC 606 and related GAAP standards.

• Establish and document accrual methodologies for COGS, operating expenses, commissions, rebates, warranty, and other liabilities.

• Maintain the contract booking process from order entry through revenue release and billing.

Audit Support, Tax & Compliance

• Serve as the primary point of contact for the external audit, preparing PBC schedules and supporting workpapers.

• Coordinate with tax advisors on federal, state, sales/use, and property tax filings, including R&D credit documentation.

• Ensure compliance with all regulatory, statutory, and lender reporting requirements.

Payroll

• Oversee end-to-end payroll processing, including review of timekeeping, commissions, bonuses, benefits, garnishments, and multi-state tax compliance.

• Reconcile payroll-related GL accounts and ensure accurate accrual of wages, PTO, and employer taxes.

ERP & Systems Implementation

• Lead the implementation, configuration, and ongoing optimization of QuickBooks (Online or Enterprise) as the company's core accounting platform.

• Administer and integrate Ramp for corporate cards, expense management, bill pay, and accounts payable workflow.

• Evaluate, select, and integrate complementary systems for inventory, manufacturing, payroll, and reporting; document workflows and chart of accounts mapping.

• Drive automation of recurring accounting tasks and build clean data flows between operational and financial systems.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field; CPA strongly preferred.

• 7+ years of progressive accounting experience, including 3+ years in a Controller, Assistant Controller, or senior accounting leadership role within a manufacturing environment.

• Deep, hands-on expertise in cost accounting, standard costing, variance analysis, and inventory accounting.

• Strong working knowledge of U.S. GAAP, including ASC 606 (revenue recognition), ASC 330 (inventory), ASC 842 (leases), and fixed asset accounting.

• Demonstrated experience leading or playing a senior role in an ERP / accounting system implementation, with direct, hands-on QuickBooks experience required.

• Hands-on experience administering Ramp (or comparable spend management platforms such as Brex, bill .com, or Concur).

• Experience managing month-end close, external audits, and producing GAAP-compliant financial statements.

• Advanced Excel skills (complex models, pivot tables, lookups, scenario analysis).

Why join Persona AI?

• You'll shape technology that's redefining the possibilities of robotics and human interaction.

• Work alongside passionate teammates who value diversity, creativity, and continuous learning.

• Enjoy full access to advanced prototyping tools, labs, and the freedom to experiment and innovate.

• We offer competitive compensation, excellent benefits, flexible work environment, and equity opportunities.

Persona AI embraces diversity and equal opportunity in a serious way. We are committed to building a team that represents a variety of backgrounds, perspectives, and skills. We believe the more inclusive we are, the better our work will be.