Senior Accountant

Luminary helps engineering companies be more competitive by getting to market faster, creating new, better products, and reducing development risk. We do this with our Physics AI platform, the fastest and easiest way to build and deploy models to understand and instantly predict physical reality with precision. Customers span industries from automotive and aerospace, to leading sporting equipment providers, including Otto Aviation, Joby Aviation, Piper Aircraft and Trek Bikes. Luminary is a Series B company and is headquartered in San Mateo, California.

We're looking for a Senior Accountant who wants to help build the financial foundation of a fast-growing SaaS company. The ideal candidate will play a key role in the month-end close while helping build the systems, controls, and processes that will scale with us as we grow. Big 4 public accounting experience preferred, particularly for candidates transitioning into industry. Candidates with equivalent experience in a high-growth SaaS environment are also considered.

Key duties, responsibilities, and deliverables:

• Support the monthly, quarterly, and annual close process in partnership with the Controller
• Own journal entries, accruals, reconciliations, and supporting schedules
• Own accounting activities related to AP/AR, prepaid expenses, fixed assets, and general ledger integrity
• Assist the Controller in designing, implementing, and maintaining internal controls as the company scales toward audit-readiness
• Support the annual external audit — preparing documentation, schedules, and liaising directly with auditors
• Own multi-state sales tax filings and monitor withholding tax compliance performed by third-party providers
• Drive process improvements and automation, including enhancements to accounting systems and workflows
• Collaborate cross-functionally with Sales and Ops on contract terms, billing, and revenue implications
• Take on ad hoc projects and special analyses as the finance function matures

Expertise and qualifications: 

• Hands-on experience with ASC 606, preferably in a SaaS or subscription-based environment, including deferred revenue and recurring revenue recognition
• Experience with modern accounting/ERP systems preferred (NetSuite or QuickBooks Online, Ramp, Rippling, or similar); comfort adopting new tools in a fast-changing environment
• Strong Excel/Google Sheets skills; experience building financial schedules and analyses; financial modeling experience a plus
• Demonstrated ability to independently own significant components of the month-end close, including journal entries, reconciliations, accruals, and supporting schedules
• Experience building or improving internal controls and process documentation
• Strong analytical and communication skills, with the ability to explain accounting and financial results clearly to non-finance stakeholders
• High attention to detail balanced with an ability to move fast and prioritize in an ambiguous, high-growth environment
• Drive to use AI tools to automate routine journal entries, bank reconciliations, and month-end close tasks

Background and experience:

• 4–6 years of progressive accounting experience
• Big 4 public accounting background preferred (audit or transaction advisory experience valued)
• Prior in-house experience at a SaaS or subscription-based company or CPA firm, particularly with revenue recognition for recurring-revenue models
• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field; CPA license or active pursuit preferred
• Experience operating in a high-growth or startup environment — comfortable with limited process and building things from scratch
• Track record of working cross-functionally beyond traditional accounting/finance silos