Head of Financial Operations/ Controller

We’re looking for a Financial Operations Lead / Global Controller to join Clara’s dynamic finance team. This role offers a unique opportunity to help scale a best-in-class controllership function at one of the region’s top startups.

In this role, you’ll own controllership end-to-end, from the monthly close to the annual audit, while modernizing how the function operates. We’re looking for candidates with an AI-native mindset and proven experience automating key finance workflows.

You’ll report directly to the CFO and work closely with the country controllers, as well as FP&A, Treasury, Legal, and our external auditors.

We’re prioritizing applicants based in Mexico City and São Paulo, but are open to remote arrangements for the right candidate.

Responsibilities

Controllership

Own the month-end financial close and consolidation across all our entities.

Lead our end-to-end annual financial audit, working closely with our external auditor and local controller teams. Plan the audit calendar, resolve technical accounting questions, and manage the relationship through to a signed opinion.

Take a global perspective on our financial operations, supporting treasury, regulatory, tax, and other relevant requirements.

Maintain a strong internal controls environment: policies, close checklists, and account reconciliations as we continue scaling toward public-market expectations.

Support lenders, investors, and regulators with audited financials and relevant due diligence requests as they arrive.

Transformation

Own NetSuite as our system of record, while also implementing AI tools and automation across the closing cycle and other key finance team workflows.

Build a unified controllership operating model across our local teams so every country controller works the same way.

Qualifications

8 - 10+ years of accounting or controllership experience, including ownership of multi-entity, multi-currency consolidation.

Startup and fintech experience is also a plus – you understand the regulatory and operational context of running finance in LatAm.

Proven track record leading annual audits with a Big 4 firm from planning through opinion, including technical accounting memos.

Deep, hands-on NetSuite expertise – you can go into the system yourself, not just direct others.

Demonstrated success deploying AI tools and automation to modernize financial workflows.

Bachelor’s degree in finance, accounting, or business. MBA or CPA is a plus.

Bilingual proficiency in English as well as Spanish and / or Portuguese is required.