Controller in Seattle, Washington at BuyWander

ABOUT THE JOB

Controller – BuyWander (Seattle, WA)

Department: Finance & Accounting

Reports To: Chief Financial Officer (CFO)

Location: On-site, Seattle, WA

Employment Type: Full-Time, Exempt

Compensation: $125K - $150K base salary + equity + company benefits

ABOUT BUYWANDER

BuyWander is one of the fastest-growing companies in the US, an e-commerce auction platform for retail returns, overstock, and excess inventory. Through a simple bid-and-win model (sign up, bid, schedule a local pickup, and enjoy a 7-day return window), we turn liquidated merchandise across categories into everyday deals, backed by daily inventory rotations, a loyalty program (WanderBucks), and multiple physical pickup locations. As we scale quickly, we need the financial infrastructure to scale with us.

POSITION SUMMARY

BuyWander is seeking an experienced Controller with deep physical inventory accounting expertise to own the accuracy, timeliness, and integrity of our financial operations. Reporting to the CFO, the Controller will own the monthly close, inventory and cost accounting, revenue recognition for our auction model, and internal controls across a high-volume, multi-location business. This is a foundational, build-it-yourself role: In year one, the Controller will drive the accounting function directly, then build and lead a team as the company scales, making it a strong fit for someone who wants to shape a finance function from the ground up rather than step into one that already exists.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Own the monthly, quarterly, and annual close process end-to-end, including preparing and presenting variance analysis that clearly explains the drivers behind results to the CFO and leadership.
• Drive the accounting function hands-on during the initial build-out phase, then hire, train, and lead a team as the company scales.
• Own inventory accounting for liquidated and overstock merchandise across all pickup locations, including landed cost, valuation, shrinkage, and COGS, working within Chuk, our internally-developed inventory system, with consistent costing and controls regardless of site.
• Apply revenue recognition principles (ASC 606) to auction/marketplace revenue, including buyer premiums, winning-bid settlements, refunds under the 7-day return policy, and breakage on unredeemed WanderBucks.
• Serve as the primary point of contact and day-to-day lead for external auditors, driving the company toward clean, audit-ready books and managing the annual financial statement audit.
• Reconcile daily transaction volume across payment processors, the loyalty/rewards program (WanderBucks), and point-of-sale activity at pickup locations.
• Manage accounts payable, accounts receivable, payroll accounting, and cash management, including accurate accrual accounting for hourly labor and other payroll-related costs across all locations.
• Design, implement, and maintain internal controls and accounting policies that scale with a fast-growing, multi-location operation.
• Partner with the CFO on budgeting, forecasting, and margin analysis by category, location, and auction lot.
• Coordinate with external tax preparers and manage sales tax compliance across all jurisdictions where BuyWander operates.
• Own and continuously improve the general ledger, chart of accounts, and accounting systems, including integrations between Chuk and our accounting/e-commerce platforms.
• Prepare board- and investor-ready financial reporting packages and KPI dashboards in partnership with the CFO.
• Identify and implement process improvements and automation to reduce manual work as transaction volume grows.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• 7+ years of progressive accounting experience, including experience managing a close process and leading (or being ready to build) a team.
• Deep, hands-on experience with physical inventory accounting: costing, valuation, shrinkage, and COGS for a business that moves real physical goods.
• Comfortable managing and reconciling inventory across multiple physical locations, with consistent costing, controls, and reporting regardless of site.
• A hands-on, builder orientation: ready to drive the accounting function directly in the near term, and to build and lead a team as the company scales.
• Understanding of hourly labor cost accounting, including related payroll accruals.
• Working knowledge of revenue recognition (ASC 606) and the ability to apply it to a non-standard revenue model like auction/marketplace transactions.
• Direct experience with external financial statement audits, leading the audit relationship and driving audit readiness, not just supporting one.
• Solid understanding of sales tax obligations and compliance across multiple state and local jurisdictions.
• Strong working knowledge of US GAAP and internal controls, with a track record of owning the full monthly close and clearly explaining variances to non-finance leadership.
• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field; active CPA license strongly preferred.
• Excellent communication skills, with the ability to translate financial detail into clear guidance for non-finance stakeholders.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Retail or e-commerce industry background with direct product costing experience.
• Comfort working within internally-built or custom software systems (we use our own proprietary inventory system, Chuk) rather than only off-the-shelf ERP/POS tools.
• Experience reconciling high-volume, multi-channel transaction data (payments, POS, auction/marketplace platforms).
• Prior experience at a high-growth startup or scale-up, ideally e-commerce, retail, marketplace, or liquidation.
• Background check required.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

• This is primarily a desk-based analytical role. It includes periodic time working in the stores to observe processing and inventory flow, and occasional travel to our markets.
• Position requires seeing, hearing, use of hands and fingers, sitting, standing, walking, reaching, twisting, turning, kneeling, bending, squatting and stooping in the performance of daily activities.
• Must be able to communicate with others including talking, hearing, and listening and exchanging communication.
• Ability to work at a fast pace in a goal-driven environment.
• Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

WHAT WE OFFER:

• Competitive Salary
• Health, Vision & Dental Insurance
• Paid Holidays
• Vacation and Sick Pay
• 401K

HOW TO APPLY

Interested candidates should submit a resume and brief cover letter.

BuyWander is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We make employment decisions based on qualifications, skills, merit, and business needs. We believe a range of skills, perspectives, and experiences strengthens our team and supports better outcomes for our employees and customers.