Financial Controller

Community Phone is building the best phone for communities in America. We are your hair salon’s business phone, how your auto-body shop texts you or gets appointments, your local government agency’s operations line, and your mom’s phone that she sometimes answers on her computer. We have more than 20,000 customers today, and are building the missing phone. 

Our team is ~80 people strong, across 15 countries. We are growing quickly, backed by Y Combinator Accelerator and Y Combinator’s Continuity Fund. We are customer-obsessed to the core. When we had a major network outage, everyone from recruiters to engineers to marketers to customer support agents got on the phone with our customers. Our team exemplifies our purpose. Join us on our mission to make it as easy as possible for communities to communicate.

• We are looking for a highly skilled and adaptable Controller to be the go-to expert for Finance and Accounting in our fast-growing SaaS startup. You are a Finance and Accounting professional who understands Operations, and your ability to take ownership in these areas will empower your peers to drive Product Development and Go-to-Market strategies at high velocity. This role is ideal for a hands-on Individual Contributor with a strong Financial background who can independently manage diverse responsibilities and support the company's path toward Cash-Flow Neutrality.

The ideal candidate will have experience in Financial Operations, Compliance, and Cross-Functional Collaboration. They will be comfortable managing External Partners and Internal Processes to ensure efficiency and accuracy. This is not a role for someone focused solely on High-Level Strategic Planning—this role requires someone who thrives in a Fast-Paced Environment and is eager to take on challenges directly.

• Maintain Financial Controls and oversee relationships with External Accounting and Compliance firms.
• Work closely with External Telecom Tax Compliance firms and Internal Legal Teams to ensure adherence to Industry Regulations.
• Review and ensure accurate classification of Monthly Expenses in collaboration with External Accounting Partners to support timely Month-End Close.
• Manage Telecom and Sales Tax Registrations with External Firms, handling Notices and Escalating Issues when needed.
• Research Tax Registration Requirements for New Products and identify potential Cost-Saving Opportunities for Customers.
• Coordinate Bill Approvals across Departments to ensure timely processing of Vendor Invoices.
• Provide Leadership with Actionable Insights for Financial and Operational Improvements.

Cash Flow and Financial Strategy:

• Support Strategic Planning and Negotiations to optimize Cost of Goods Sold (COGS) and drive the company toward Cash-Flow Neutrality.
• Monitor and raise alerts regarding Unnecessary Refunds and other Cash Flow Concerns, Escalating as needed.
• Partner with Leadership to identify and implement System-Wide Improvements to enhance Financial Stability.

Project Management:

• Serve as the Primary Project Manager for Cross-Functional Initiatives related to Finance, Compliance, and Operations.
• Work with External Partners to resolve Financial Notices, Registrations, and Compliance Matters efficiently.
• Negotiate with Government Agencies, Vendors, and other entities to support Financial and Operational Goals.
• Take ownership of diverse responsibilities, independently driving key Initiatives.
• Oversee the Company Cap Table, manage Stock Issuance, and coordinate Investor Agreements for Equity-Related Matters.

• Strong background in Finance and Accounting.
• Experience working in an Early-Stage Startup and handling the Financial Responsibilities common at this stage.
• Exceptional Project Management Skills with the ability to balance Multiple Priorities in a Fast-Moving Environment.
• Experience working with External Accounting, Compliance, and Legal Partners.
• Proven ability to manage Complex Financial Processes, including Tax Compliance, Expense Classification, and Vendor Approvals.
• Ability to effectively interact with Vendors such as Government Agencies, Regulatory Bodies, and Supply Chain Partners.
• Strong Analytical and Problem-Solving Skills, with a focus on Efficiency and Cost Reduction.
• Self-Motivated and Adaptable, capable of working independently as an Individual Contributor.
• Experience in Telecom or Regulated Industries is a Plus.

Community Phone has a customer-obsessed culture. We are looking for team members who love our product and mission. 

Beyond the job description, here are some traits members of our team share:

We value Curiosity and learning in our employees. We promote open-mindedness, embrace mistakes, and encourage challenging questions for personal growth. We create a culture of continuous learning to empower our team to tackle challenges and excel in their roles.

Efficiency Where it Counts. We operate lean, optimizing resources to improve our products and deliver a world-class customer experience. We prioritize value over excess, embodying a scrappy and resourceful spirit to achieve our mission and values.

We prioritize taking decisive action over deliberation, recognizing that building a world-class product requires pushing personal limits and taking risks. We believe that a Bias Toward Action is essential for achieving our goals and delivering exceptional results to our customers.

We strive for Transparency and prioritize open, Direct communication. This helps us resolve issues quickly and build strong relationships with our stakeholders.

We take our work seriously and see it as a reflection of who we are. We're always looking for ways to improve and are open to feedback. We approach our work with a sense of ownership and a desire to deliver the best possible results. By embodying a Founder Mindset, we're able to achieve our goals and create exceptional products.

We value a Caring Mentality. Our customers come first, and we collaborate to provide exceptional service. We prioritize teamwork over personal accolades, fostering a customer-focused culture that drives our success and promotes a supportive work environment.

Our range for this position is between $100,000-$165,000 base salary + equity. Total compensation is based on several factors that are unique to each candidate. These factors include (but are not limited to) job-related knowledge and skill set, depth of experience, certifications and/or degrees, and specific work location.