Controller, Accounting, Accounting Manager

Be among the first 25 applicants. This range is provided by Avalanche Energy. Your actual pay will be based on your skills and experience — talk with your recruiter to learn more.

$/yr - $/yr

Avalanche is a Seattle‑based start‑up developing micro fusion machines for clean, energy‑dense power generation at a scale you can hold in your hands. Our unique approach allows us to build, test, break, learn, and iterate on machines in days to weeks. The modular design is intended to power applications ranging from austere environments to deep‑sea vehicles, maritime transport, and lunar infrastructure.

We know we have an incredibly ambitious mission, and it requires a rare combination of skill, creativity, and grit to make it real. If you have a passion for abundant energy and how it can improve life on Earth and beyond, we’d love to talk.

• You enjoy building accounting systems from the ground up in a fast‑moving, engineering‑heavy environment.
• You’re a builder who delivers structure, accuracy, and clarity — and you can thrive amid rapid growth and evolving processes.
• You are energized by problem‑solving across AP, payroll, cost accounting, and close operations.
• You want to design systems that are audit‑ready, scalable, and compliant from day one.
• You are comfortable partnering closely with R&D, Operations, People, and Finance teams.

Avalanche Energy is seeking a Controller to build and own a GAAP‑compliant, audit‑ready accounting function that supports the company’s growth, technical complexity, and future manufacturing scale‑up. This is a hands‑on leadership role responsible for all accounting operations, including the monthly close, internal controls, financial reporting, payroll accounting, AP/AR oversight, fixed assets, inventory accounting, and general ledger integrity.

You will be an individual contributor to start, with full ownership of the accounting function and a strong mandate to maximize automation and systems efficiency. You will own the company’s ERP implementation and ensure that accounting systems are integrated effectively with procurement, payroll, HRIS, and future operational systems. You will also serve as the primary steward of FAR/DCAA‑compliant accounting practices, ensuring the company’s cost structure, timekeeping data, and indirect rate methodologies meet government requirements.

This role is ideal for a detail‑oriented, systems‑focused accounting leader who enjoys building structure in a technical, R&D‑driven environment.

• Own all accounting operations, including monthly/quarterly close, financial reporting, and GL integrity.
• Maintain compliant, well‑documented accounting policies, procedures, and internal controls.
• Oversee AP, AR, payroll accounting, treasury operations, fixed assets, and inventory accounting.
• Ensure accurate labor and payroll accounting that supports cost allocation, indirect rate modeling, and grant/contract reporting.

• Maintain a strong internal control environment aligned with GAAP.
• Ensure timekeeping data, labor charging, and cost allocations meet federal grant and contract compliance expectations.
• Lead audit preparation, support external auditors, and maintain audit‑ready documentation.
• Oversee FAR/DCAA‑compliant accounting methodologies, indirect rate structures, and required documentation.
• Own and optimize Avalanche’s ERP implementation.
• Drive integrations across procurement, payroll, HRIS, and financial planning systems.
• Build scalable accounting workflows that support future manufacturing and operational growth.
• Ensure financial systems provide accurate cost visibility across engineering, supply chain, and operations.

• Develop cost accounting processes that support R&D, prototyping, and future production.
• Create and maintain reliable costing methodologies for program reporting, grant submissions, and compliance.
• Partner with FP&A to ensure alignment between actuals, forecasts, and cost structures.
• Provide accounting insights that support technical program planning…