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 - $175K 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.
