1st Avenue Power
Overview
About 1st Avenue Power: At 1st Avenue Power, we are on a mission to deliver simple, fast-to-deploy, customer-centric and intelligent power systems leveraging solar to provide inexpensive and reliable clean energy to global customers from data centers to energy starved communities around the world. We envision a future where every community, business, and nation thrives on the limitless potential of clean energy, united in a sustainable and equitable world. You will be working with Dr. Tom Buttgenbach, a leading clean energy technology innovator and entrepreneur who has driven solar-based energy solutions. Tom founded and led Avantus (formerly 8minute Solar Energy) to become a large and profitable solar and energy storage company in the United States, including delivering over 17% of Los Angeles' power. When Tom sold his interest in Avantus' development business to KKR in mid-2024, it had delivered over $1 billion in profit and secured over $10 billion in power purchase agreements and project financings with a pipeline of over 30 GW of solar and 90 GWh of energy storage. Tom's family office investment firm, 1st Avenue Capital, is building teams for the next generation of advanced solar power system architecture and AI to reduce cost and improve equitable access to clean energy. 1st Avenue's advanced large-scale power systems address grid inadequacies and provide equitable access to inexpensive, clean and reliable power globally. Role
About the Role: Join a groundbreaking team at the forefront of the clean energy transition. The Controller will be the foundational leader of our accounting and financial operations. Reporting directly to the CEO/CFO, this role will build our accounting infrastructure from the ground up, with an immediate focus on establishing GAAP-compliant financial statements and scalable financial systems. The ideal candidate is a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) with public accounting experience (ideally Big 4) and success managing the financial complexities of a high-growth startup. This is a hands-on role for a leader who will execute daily accounting functions while driving strategic change, managing key external relationships, and building a high-performing, geographically distributed team. What Makes This Job Unique
Leadership Impact:
As Controller you will influence key strategic decisions and help shape the future of 1st Avenue Power's energy strategy. Growth Potential:
The company and project pipeline are in high growth mode, offering opportunities for career growth and professional development. Co-Founder Mindset:
Opportunity to join a groundbreaking team with ownership, innovation, and a commitment to a sustainable and equitable energy future. Job Responsibilities
Foundational Accounting & Reporting Establish GAAP reporting: develop the framework and processes to produce 1AP's first official U.S. GAAP financial statements, including footnotes and disclosures. Monthly Close Management: lead end-to-end monthly and year-end close processes with timely, accurate delivery of results. General Ledger & Compliance: oversee all general ledger activity, reconciliations, and journal entries; ensure reporting adheres to U.S. GAAP and tax compliance. Audit Readiness: prepare schedules and serve as main contact for external auditors, ensuring a smooth annual audit. Payments & Expense Management: manage corporate expenses, accounts payable, vendor payments, corporate cards, and employee expense reporting for timely and accurate disbursements and controlled spending. Strategic Systems & Operations Financial Systems Implementation: design, select, and implement scalable financial and accounting systems (ERP, GL, integrated tools). Internal Controls: establish internal controls, accounting policies, and SOPs to safeguard assets and ensure data integrity. Process Optimization: drive continuous improvement and automation to accelerate close cycles as the company scales. Leadership & Relationship Management Team Building: build and manage a high-caliber off-site/remote accounting team with clear performance metrics. Bank Relations: manage relationships with banks and financial institutions, overseeing cash flow, treasury, and debt covenant compliance. Affiliate Collaboration: serve as the main finance contact for the parent entity family office and its affiliates, ensuring alignment of accounting policies across entities. Other duties as assigned Qualifications
Minimum Qualifications: Education & Certification: Active CPA license required; Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field. Experience: 7+ years in accounting and finance; 3+ years as Controller or Assistant Controller (or equivalent). Technical Expertise: Deep GAAP knowledge and experience designing and implementing financial systems. Preferred Qualifications: Public Accounting Foundation: Experience with Big 4 or large national public accounting firm (Audit practice preferred). Renewable energy industry knowledge preferred. Startup/High-Growth Experience: Experience navigating financial challenges in a startup or early-stage company. Experience leading distributed or virtual accounting teams. Compensation & Benefits
Competitive compensation package Health insurance: 100% employee premium coverage under a Gold-level PPO; dental & vision 50% coverage for employees Retirement: 401(k) with 6% employer match 1AI Energy, the employing entity for 1st Avenue Power, and 1st Avenue Power are committed to Equal Employment Opportunity and will not discriminate based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, veteran status, marital status, disability, genetic information, gender identity, sexual orientation, or other protected characteristics. We also consider qualified applicants regardless of criminal histories, consistent with legal requirements. Applicants with disabilities may be entitled to reasonable accommodation under ADA, FEHA, and local laws. Please inform our personnel representative if you need assistance completing an application or participating in the application process. Note: 1st Avenue is in the business of acquiring projects where there has been a final notice-to-proceed or financial close. California Pay Range: $180,000—$250,000 USD
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About 1st Avenue Power: At 1st Avenue Power, we are on a mission to deliver simple, fast-to-deploy, customer-centric and intelligent power systems leveraging solar to provide inexpensive and reliable clean energy to global customers from data centers to energy starved communities around the world. We envision a future where every community, business, and nation thrives on the limitless potential of clean energy, united in a sustainable and equitable world. You will be working with Dr. Tom Buttgenbach, a leading clean energy technology innovator and entrepreneur who has driven solar-based energy solutions. Tom founded and led Avantus (formerly 8minute Solar Energy) to become a large and profitable solar and energy storage company in the United States, including delivering over 17% of Los Angeles' power. When Tom sold his interest in Avantus' development business to KKR in mid-2024, it had delivered over $1 billion in profit and secured over $10 billion in power purchase agreements and project financings with a pipeline of over 30 GW of solar and 90 GWh of energy storage. Tom's family office investment firm, 1st Avenue Capital, is building teams for the next generation of advanced solar power system architecture and AI to reduce cost and improve equitable access to clean energy. 1st Avenue's advanced large-scale power systems address grid inadequacies and provide equitable access to inexpensive, clean and reliable power globally. Role
About the Role: Join a groundbreaking team at the forefront of the clean energy transition. The Controller will be the foundational leader of our accounting and financial operations. Reporting directly to the CEO/CFO, this role will build our accounting infrastructure from the ground up, with an immediate focus on establishing GAAP-compliant financial statements and scalable financial systems. The ideal candidate is a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) with public accounting experience (ideally Big 4) and success managing the financial complexities of a high-growth startup. This is a hands-on role for a leader who will execute daily accounting functions while driving strategic change, managing key external relationships, and building a high-performing, geographically distributed team. What Makes This Job Unique
Leadership Impact:
As Controller you will influence key strategic decisions and help shape the future of 1st Avenue Power's energy strategy. Growth Potential:
The company and project pipeline are in high growth mode, offering opportunities for career growth and professional development. Co-Founder Mindset:
Opportunity to join a groundbreaking team with ownership, innovation, and a commitment to a sustainable and equitable energy future. Job Responsibilities
Foundational Accounting & Reporting Establish GAAP reporting: develop the framework and processes to produce 1AP's first official U.S. GAAP financial statements, including footnotes and disclosures. Monthly Close Management: lead end-to-end monthly and year-end close processes with timely, accurate delivery of results. General Ledger & Compliance: oversee all general ledger activity, reconciliations, and journal entries; ensure reporting adheres to U.S. GAAP and tax compliance. Audit Readiness: prepare schedules and serve as main contact for external auditors, ensuring a smooth annual audit. Payments & Expense Management: manage corporate expenses, accounts payable, vendor payments, corporate cards, and employee expense reporting for timely and accurate disbursements and controlled spending. Strategic Systems & Operations Financial Systems Implementation: design, select, and implement scalable financial and accounting systems (ERP, GL, integrated tools). Internal Controls: establish internal controls, accounting policies, and SOPs to safeguard assets and ensure data integrity. Process Optimization: drive continuous improvement and automation to accelerate close cycles as the company scales. Leadership & Relationship Management Team Building: build and manage a high-caliber off-site/remote accounting team with clear performance metrics. Bank Relations: manage relationships with banks and financial institutions, overseeing cash flow, treasury, and debt covenant compliance. Affiliate Collaboration: serve as the main finance contact for the parent entity family office and its affiliates, ensuring alignment of accounting policies across entities. Other duties as assigned Qualifications
Minimum Qualifications: Education & Certification: Active CPA license required; Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field. Experience: 7+ years in accounting and finance; 3+ years as Controller or Assistant Controller (or equivalent). Technical Expertise: Deep GAAP knowledge and experience designing and implementing financial systems. Preferred Qualifications: Public Accounting Foundation: Experience with Big 4 or large national public accounting firm (Audit practice preferred). Renewable energy industry knowledge preferred. Startup/High-Growth Experience: Experience navigating financial challenges in a startup or early-stage company. Experience leading distributed or virtual accounting teams. Compensation & Benefits
Competitive compensation package Health insurance: 100% employee premium coverage under a Gold-level PPO; dental & vision 50% coverage for employees Retirement: 401(k) with 6% employer match 1AI Energy, the employing entity for 1st Avenue Power, and 1st Avenue Power are committed to Equal Employment Opportunity and will not discriminate based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, veteran status, marital status, disability, genetic information, gender identity, sexual orientation, or other protected characteristics. We also consider qualified applicants regardless of criminal histories, consistent with legal requirements. Applicants with disabilities may be entitled to reasonable accommodation under ADA, FEHA, and local laws. Please inform our personnel representative if you need assistance completing an application or participating in the application process. Note: 1st Avenue is in the business of acquiring projects where there has been a final notice-to-proceed or financial close. California Pay Range: $180,000—$250,000 USD
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