Controller

The Controller at Kairos Power oversees all accounting functions including general ledger management, accounts payable, payroll, tax compliance, and financial reporting. This role ensures timely financial closes and adherence to US GAAP standards, also leads policy development, audit readiness, and the optimization of our financial strategies.

Candidates for the Controller position at Kairos Power should possess a CPA and have at least 12 years of progressive accounting experience. A Master’s degree or MBA in Accounting, Finance, or Business is preferred. Moreover, expertise in US GAAP and regulatory compliance is essential, especially within regulated industries such as nuclear energy.

The Controller plays a crucial role in guiding and aligning accounting operations with Kairos Power's broader financial strategy and growth roadmap. This role supports company scalability and maintains crucial financial integrity that directly contributes to our mission of advancing clean energy technologies.

As the Controller at Kairos Power, you will have the opportunity to mentor and develop a high-performing accounting team. This role involves fostering a collaborative culture, managing performance, and ensuring knowledge transfer to prepare the team for future challenges in a growing organization.

The Controller role at Kairos Power is based in a general office environment in Alameda, California. You're part of a vibrant team dedicated to clean energy solutions, and you can expect a dynamic setting that encourages collaboration and professional growth while maintaining a focus on safety and compliance.

A strong answer would illustrate specific experiences in preparing financial statements in accordance with US GAAP, highlighting your familiarity with compliance and the challenges faced during audits. Provide examples of how you overcame obstacles and ensured accuracy.

Emphasize your interpersonal skills and strategies for fostering growth. Discuss specific methods you’ve used to maintain motivation and ensure knowledge transfer within a rapidly changing workforce, showcasing the positive impact on team dynamics.

Consider sharing specific process improvements you've initiated in previous roles. Describe the challenges, your strategic approach for change management, and the results achieved to demonstrate your impact on the efficiency and accuracy of accounting operations.

Detail your experience in audit management, focusing on the importance of open communication and collaborative problem-solving. Provide an example of a successful audit experience where you ensured all stakeholder expectations were met satisfactorily.

Discuss methods you've implemented for cash flow forecasting, liquidity management, and maintaining banking relationships. Highlight how your strategies align with overall business objectives to ensure financial stability.

Illustrate a scenario where you faced a major financial issue, outlining your analytical approach to the problem, how you collaborated with your team, and the resolution implemented. Focus on the lessons learned and how they shaped your future decision-making.

Explain your methodology for staying up to date with local, state, and federal tax laws. Incorporate how you have successfully integrated compliance measures into daily operations within an organization.

Highlight the significance of internal controls in preventing financial discrepancies. Provide examples of how you have developed or enhanced controls to strengthen financial integrity and mitigate risks.

Discuss your organizational and prioritization skills, providing examples of how you successfully managed multiple deadlines. Mention specific tools or strategies that have helped you maintain efficiency and clarity.

Share your thoughts on aligning the accounting department’s goals with Kairos Power's growth plans. Discuss innovative technologies or strategies you would consider implementing to enhance scalability, accountability, and accuracy in financial reporting.