Controller (Finance & Accounting Lead)

Company: Aktivate

Location: Greater NYC Area (Remote)

Reports to: Chief Executive Officer (CEO)

Employment Type: Full-time

Apply at our Careers page here.

Job Overview

Aktivate, a Series A startup revolutionizing sports management and team fundraising for 1MM+ kids / 3,000+ public schools / 7 of the top 10 largest school districts in the country, is seeking an experienced Controller to lead our finance and accounting function as a solo leader. This role reports directly to the CEO and will oversee all financial operations, providing critical data-driven insights to support our technology & sales-driven strategy. The Controller will be the financial leg of the executive team stool, ensuring fiscal responsibility and that strategic decisions are grounded in solid financial data. This position offers significant growth potential, including mentorship from an experienced venture-backed CFO and a clear path to a future VP Accounting & Finance and / or CFO role for the right candidate.

Key Responsibilities

• Financial Leadership: Oversee all financial operations, including accounting, budgeting, financial planning & analysis (FP&A), and compliance, ensuring accurate and timely financial management.
• Systems & Tools: Implement and manage advanced financial tools and systems (beyond QuickBooks and Bill.com) to ensure scalability and efficiency as the company grows.
• Strategic Oversight: Provide a strong data-driven financial perspective and act as a counterbalance to the CEO’s sales-focused approach, delivering insights and analyses that guide strategic decision-making.
• Cash Flow & Forecasting: Manage cash flow, develop financial forecasts, and prepare investor reports to keep stakeholders informed of the company’s financial health and runway.
• Compliance & Audit: Ensure compliance with GAAP standards and oversee audits and regulatory reporting requirements, maintaining the highest levels of financial integrity.
• Capital Raise and Investor Relations: Support the CEO in all financial diligence-related matters for capital raises and current investor relations.
• Cross-Functional Partnership: Partner with the executive team and department leaders to align financial planning with business strategy and support data-driven decision-making across the organization.
• M&A: Contribute to deal structuring and lead financial diligence and post-acquisition financial integration for all acquisition candidates
• Growth Opportunity: Work under the guidance of an experienced venture-backed CFO (mentor) with the potential to grow into the company’s Chief Financial Officer role as the business scales.

Qualifications

• Startup Finance Experience: Proven experience as a Controller or Head of Finance in a Series A (or similar early-stage) startup. Able to navigate the dynamic environment of a growing company.
• Solo Leadership: Demonstrated ability to function as the sole finance and accounting leader in an organization, handling both high-level strategy and hands-on operational tasks.
• Budgeting & Budget Management: Experience creating projections and interacting directly with function leaders and more junior functional team members alike
• Technical Expertise: Strong knowledge of financial tools and software beyond basic accounting platforms; capable of implementing new systems to improve and automate financial processes.
• Strategic & Operational Balance: Ability to provide strategic financial guidance (big-picture thinking, risk management, investor relations) while also executing day-to-day finance operations with attention to detail.
• Board presence experience: Experience working directly with board members and investors.
• Cultural Fit: Alignment with Aktivate’s core values – ownership mentality, relentless execution, humility with confidence, systematic improvement, and resilient positivity. The ideal candidate embodies these values in their work.
• Education: Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Accounting, or a related field. CPA and/or MBA is a plus but not required if experience is commensurate.

Compensation

• Cash Compensation: Base salary of approximately $125,000 plus bonus (dependent on experience).
• Equity: Equity participation commensurate with experience, allowing for upside in the company’s success.
• Benefits: A competitive benefits package including health insurance, paid time off, and other perks typical of a venture-backed startup (to be discussed in the interview process).

About Aktivate:

Aktivate is a fast growing Series A startup with a mission to help kids live winning lives. Aktivate is transforming how scholastic sports are managed and funded. We serve 1MM+ kids, 50K+ coaches, 3K+ schools and 7 of the 10 largest districts in the country. We foster a culture of innovation and “resilient positivity,” where every team member has an ownership mentality and is committed to relentless execution and systematic improvement. We pride ourselves on humility with confidence, and we’re looking for a finance leader who shares these values and is excited to drive our success through smart financial management.

Apply at our Careers page here.