Financial Controller

About Voyant Photonics

Voyant Photonics, based in the heart of New York City, is transforming machine perception with a new class of LiDAR devices that are compact enough to fit in the palm of your hand and powerful enough to measure range, velocity, and reflectivity with unparalleled accuracy. By leveraging cutting-edge silicon photonic chips smaller than your fingertip, we deliver sensors that are not only revolutionary in performance but also affordable enough to integrate into any system.

Our technology disrupts the status quo of bulky, expensive, and power-hungry LiDAR systems, making high-precision sensing accessible for widespread adoption in robotics, autonomous vehicles, drones, industrial automation, and beyond. With Voyant, the next generation of machines can see, understand, and navigate the world like never before.

Discover how we’re redefining what’s possible by making real products out of cutting edge research in silicon photonics.

Position Overview:

Voyant Photonics is seeking a hands-on, systems-minded Controller to be our first dedicated finance and accounting lead. This is a foundational role with broad ownership of financial operations, accounting processes, and internal controls. You’ll be responsible for establishing reliable, scalable accounting systems and serving as a key partner to company leadership on budgeting, reporting, compliance, and operational decision-making.

As our first internal finance team member, you’ll oversee all accounting activity, manage our external accounting firm, and build the processes and tools needed to support growth. This is a high-impact role with room to grow into a future Head of Finance or VP of Finance position as we scale.

We are particularly interested in candidates with experience in hardware, manufacturing, or inventory-driven businesses, but welcome all applicants with a strong foundation in accounting and a bias toward action.

Key Responsibilities

Accounting & Compliance

• Own and manage all core accounting functions, including month-end close, reconciliations, journal entries, and internal documentation.

• Oversee the relationship with our external accounting firm, which handles bookkeeping, AP, payroll entry, tax filings, and compliance.

• Review and validate all financial statements and reports for accuracy and completeness.

• Ensure GAAP compliance and maintain a strong internal control environment.

• Lead audit preparation, 1099 processing, and tax compliance (state, federal, and sales/use tax).

Financial Operations & Systems

• Build and refine accounting processes, chart of accounts, tagging, and project-level tracking to support operational and investor reporting.

• Own and optimize our accounting software (currently QuickBooks Online); implement best practices for coding, tracking, and internal documentation.

• Manage cash flow reporting and day-to-day banking activity; provide proactive insights into runway, burn, and spend trends.

• Maintain equity tracking in partnership with operations (Carta) and support cap table reporting.

Budgeting & Internal Reporting

• Collaborate with leadership to build department-level budgets and track performance against plan.

• Prepare internal dashboards and financial summaries to support leadership decisions.

• Provide regular reporting on spend, headcount, vendor costs, and forecasting.

Cross-functional & Strategic Support

• Act as the go-to resource for all internal financial questions—hiring plans, vendor costs, cash position, etc.

• Partner with operations, engineering, and product teams to improve resource planning and cost controls.

• Contribute to board reporting, fundraising prep, and due diligence as needed.

Qualifications

• 7+ years of accounting or finance experience, with at least 2 years in a startup or high-growth environment.

• CPA or equivalent experience strongly preferred.

• Background in public accounting, controllership, or startup finance is a major plus.

• Strong fluency in QuickBooks, Excel/Google Sheets, and financial process implementation.

• Experience managing or collaborating with outside accounting firms.

• Knowledge of inventory accounting, hardware operations, or manufacturing costs is a bonus.

• Meticulous attention to detail, with the ability to work independently and build systems from scratch.

• Clear communicator who can translate financial topics across functions.

Benefits package

• Competitive salary and meaningful equity package

• Comprehensive health benefits (Medical, Dental, Vision)

• Unlimited PTO and paid company holidays

• Team events and company meetups

• Hybrid or remote work environment with monthly travel for remote employees.

• Complimentary lunch provided daily at our NYC office.

Equal Opportunity Employer

Voyant Photonics is an equal opportunity employer committed to building a diverse and inclusive workplace. We welcome applicants from all backgrounds and do not discriminate based on race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, pregnancy, marital or partnership status, age, national origin, citizenship, veteran or military status, disability, medical condition, genetic information, caregiver status, or any other characteristic protected by law.