Finance Operations Lead

About Distyl AI

Distyl AI develops production-grade AI systems to power core operational workflows for Fortune 500 companies. Powered by a strategic partnership with OpenAI, in-house software accelerators, and deep enterprise AI expertise, we deliver working AI systems with rapid time to value – within a quarter.

Our products have helped Fortune 500 customers across diverse industries, from insurance and CPG to non-profits. As part of our team, you will help companies identify, build, and realize value from their GenAI investments, often for the first time. We are customer-centric, working backward from the customer’s problem and holding ourselves accountable for creating both financial impact and improving the lives of end-users.

Distyl is led by proven leaders from top companies like Palantir and Apple and is backed by Lightspeed, Khosla, Coatue, Dell Technologies Capital, Nat Friedman (Former CEO of GitHub), Brad Gerstner (Founder and CEO of Altimeter), and board members of over a dozen Fortune 500 companies.

What We Are Looking For

We are hiring a Finance Operations Lead to own and run Distyl’s core accounting and finance operations as the company continues to scale. This is a hands-on, operator-focused role for someone with a strong accounting foundation and prior startup experience. You'll be responsible for ensuring the books are accurate, the close is disciplined, and financial outputs are reliable and decision-useful as systems and processes mature.

This is a true build role. You won’t just operate within existing processes—you’ll architect and scale the accounting infrastructure, controls, and policies Distyl needs as we move toward audit readiness. You’ll partner closely with external accounting advisors and cross-functional stakeholders (including People Ops on payroll), while steadily transitioning finance operations toward strong internal ownership.

You’ll work alongside Distyl’s Strategic Finance Lead, who sets overall direction and priorities. From there, you’ll own execution end-to-end—driving timelines, identifying risks early, exercising sound judgment, and proactively surfacing opportunities to strengthen processes and improve efficiency.

Key Responsibilities

• Own monthly close execution end-to-end, including journal entries, reconciliations, cutoffs, and balance sheet integrity

• Apply strong accounting judgment to complex or ambiguous transactions and flag issues early

• Maintain high standards for documentation, reconciliations, and internal controls

• Perform monthly variance and trend analysis, investigating what changed, why it changed, and whether it makes sense

• Translate financial results into clear operational explanations for finance leadership

• Own day-to-day billing, collections, and revenue recognition execution

• Own payroll accounting end-to-end: payroll journal entries, accruals, balance sheet reconciliations, payroll tax filing oversight, and stock-comp payroll inputs, coordinating with People Ops on employee-facing administration

• Build, document, and improve close workflows, reconciliations, and finance processes with scalability and audit readiness in mind

• Support cash management, forecasting inputs, and operational reporting, including vendor commitment tracking and renewal visibility

• Help build audit readiness progressively: draft and maintain GAAP accounting policies, standardize monthly support schedules, strengthen internal controls, and support auditor selection and coordination

• Identify process gaps and implement practical solutions across finance operations, including spend controls, approval workflows, and procurement processes as the function scales

Who You Are

• 5–8 years of experience in accounting or finance operations

• Firm accounting foundation, ideally through public accounting, audit, or a structured in-house accounting environment

• Prior experience at a startup or high-growth company, where systems were evolving and ownership mattered

• Strong command of accounting fundamentals and close mechanics

• Operator-minded: you take ownership, follow work through, and feel accountable for outcomes

• Analytical in an applied way, able to identify patterns, explain drivers, and exercise judgment with messy or incomplete data

• Skilled at evaluating ambiguity, forming sound conclusions, and substantiating them with logic and data

• Detail-oriented, disciplined, and pragmatic about balancing rigor with speed

• Clear communicator who brings context and options, not surprises

• Exposure to AP, procurement, or vendor management workflows is a plus—you’re comfortable wearing multiple hats as the finance function grows

• CPA preferred but not required

What We Offer

• The base salary range for this role is $140,000 – $180,000, depending on experience, location, and level. In addition to base compensation, this role is eligible for, meaningful equity, along with a comprehensive benefits package

• 100% covered medical, dental, and vision for employees and dependents

• 401(k) with additional perks (e.g., commuter benefits, in‑office lunch)

• Access to state‑of‑the‑art models, generous usage of modern AI tools, and real‑world business problems

• Ownership of high‑impact projects across top enterprises

• A mission‑driven, fast‑moving culture that prizes curiosity, pragmatism, and excellence

Distyl has offices in San Francisco and New York. This role follows a hybrid collaboration model with 3+ days per week (Tuesday–Thursday) in our San Francisco office.