Assistant Controller

About the Company

Arena is the platform for evaluating how AI models perform in the real world. Founded by researchers from UC Berkeley's SkyLab, we're on a mission to measure and advance the frontier of AI for real-world use, and to build the foundation for everyone to understand, shape, and benefit from it.

Responsibilities

• Own monthly, quarterly, and annual financial closes, delivering GAAP-compliant financial statements and analyses
• Manage day-to-day financial operations including AP/AR, expense allocations, and balance sheet reconciliations
• Own revenue recognition end-to-end, applying ASC 606 across complex enterprise contracts
• Design and implement scalable financial systems, processes, and controls, including leading ERP implementation
• Manage cash flow and working capital timing across large enterprise billing cycles
• Build and maintain a strong internal control environment and establish accounting policies from scratch
• Lead audit and tax readiness, serving as the primary liaison for external auditors
• Partner with the Head of Finance to translate data into strategic insights

Requirements

• 8+ years of progressive accounting experience at high-growth technology startups
• Deep expertise in U.S. GAAP, specifically ASC 606, stock-based compensation, and consolidations
• Experience leading a company through its first financial statement audit
• Strong background in implementing ERP systems and modern finance tools like Ramp
• CPA certification and strong technical accounting foundation
• Builder mindset with the ability to own both details and architecture
• Active use of AI in professional workflows

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience at a high-growth AI or SaaS startup with enterprise customers
• Familiarity with cloud infrastructure cost accounting
• Ability to write SQL and work in data warehouse environments
• Experience partnering with engineering and infrastructure teams

Benefits

• Competitive compensation and equity
• Comprehensive health and wellness benefits, including medical, dental, and vision