Accountant & Bookkeeper

ABOUT ALPHA DESIGN AI Alpha Design AI builds ChipAgents™, the industry's first AI-agent platform that accelerates RTL design and verification. We serve semiconductor innovators • from fast-growing startups to top-10 chipmakers • helping them ship silicon faster, with higher quality and lower cost. Backed by top-tier investors and leading AI researchers, we are scaling rapidly and expanding our operations team. About the Role We're hiring an in-house accountant and bookkeeper to own day-to-day GL accounting and the monthly close while keeping our books fully GAAP-compliant. You'll move from external audit into a hands-on operating role: instead of testing other companies' numbers, you'll produce ours. This is a high-ownership seat for someone ready to step out of public accounting and build deep expertise in how a real business runs its books. WHAT YOU'LL DO • Own full-cycle bookkeeping: AP, AR, payroll journal entries, expense coding, bank and credit card reconciliations, and fixed asset / prepaid schedules. • Drive the monthly, quarterly, and annual close, including accruals, deferrals, revenue recognition (ASC 606), lease accounting (ASC 842), and stock-based comp entries as applicable. • Prepare GAAP-compliant financial statements (income statement, balance sheet, cash flow) and supporting schedules with audit-ready workpapers. • Reconcile balance sheet accounts monthly and investigate variances against budget and prior period. • Maintain the chart of accounts and accounting policies; document procedures so the close runs the same way every month. • Serve as the primary point of contact for our external auditors during the annual audit, including PBC list management and technical memos. • Support sales tax filings, 1099 prep, and coordination with our tax preparers. • Partner with FP&A on month-end reporting packages and ad-hoc analysis for leadership. • Help evaluate and implement improvements to our accounting tech stack (ERP, AP automation, expense management). WHAT WE'RE LOOKING FOR • Bachelor's degree in Accounting or Finance. • 2–6 years of audit experience at a Big 4 or strong mid-tier firm (BDO, Grant Thornton, RSM, Moss Adams, Crowe, Baker Tilly, or similar). • Working knowledge of US GAAP, including hands-on exposure to ASC 606 and ASC 842. • CPA license or active candidate (passed at least two sections). • Strong Excel skills (pivots, lookups, SUMIFS, basic modeling); comfort working in an ERP such as QuickBooks Online. • Audit-trained attention to detail, with the judgment to know when "good enough" is appropriate for an operating company. • Clear written communication — you can write a memo explaining a technical position to non-accountants. • Self-directed; you don't need a senior to assign tasks to know what month-end requires. NICE TO HAVE • Industry experience relevant to SaaS, manufacturing, or professional services. • Exposure to system implementations or migrations. • Experience supporting a financial audit from the client side. COMPENSATION Base salary depends on experience, CPA status, and exact scope. Posting-specific ranges: • Santa Barbara, CA: $80,000 – $120,000 base, plus annual bonus • Santa Clara, CA: $100,000 – $150,000 base, plus annual bonus and equity Candidates with a CPA license and direct ASC 606 / 842 experience should expect the upper half of the range. Total comp also includes health/dental/vision, 401(k) with match, PTO, and CPE / CPA renewal support.