Accounting Lead

Nexthop AI is a fast-growing AI infrastructure company building high-performance networking products and solutions for the world’s leading cloud operators, including hyperscalers and NeoClouds. Founded in 2024 and headquartered in Santa Clara, Nexthop AI offers the opportunity to work alongside experienced leaders. We are looking for hands-on, collaborative team members who want to help shape the future of AI infrastructure in a dynamic startup environment where ownership, innovation, flexibility, and impact are highly valued.

Role summary

The Accounting lead role oversees core financial operations, ensuring accurate record-keeping, timely vendor disbursements, compliant month-end closing, and strong internal controls.  Coordinate accounting and accounts payable staff, streamline payment workflows, and maintain general ledger integrity. This is a hands-on role for someone who builds scalable processes and controls as the company grows.

Key responsibilities

• Own procure-to-pay: vendor onboarding, PO matching, approval workflows, payment runs, expense reimbursements and 1099 reporting.
• Oversees invoice processing, vendor reconciliations, resolves billing discrepancies, handles vendor relations, and enforces internal controls against fraud.
• Assist with month-end close process, prepare and review entries for accruals, payroll and other activities.
• Support implementation and maintenance of accounting policies, procedures, and internal controls.
• Collaborate and work closely with cross functional teams.
• Build internal controls toward SOX readiness and drive automation across NetSuite, Zip and AI tools.
• Lead or support accounting system enhancements, automation initiatives, and workflow improvements.
• Develop standardized procedures, documentation, and key performance indicators for AP and GL activities.
• Leverage technology and automation to improve transaction processing, reconciliations, and financial close efficiency.
• Partner with IT and business teams to resolve system issues and enhance accounting data integrity.
• Prepare audit schedules and support tax filings including federal, state, sales and use taxes filing

with outside advisors.

• Support the Assistant Controller with the day-to-day financial activities and ad hoc projects.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting or Finance; 5+ years of progressive accounting experience, including hands-on experience in accounts payable and general ledger accounting.
• Strong US GAAP, close and reconciliation skills; NetSuite and advanced Excel.
• Hands-on experience with NetSuite, FloQast and Zip for procure to pay preferred.
• Comfort using AI tools to automate accounts payable and accounting work.
• Strong communication and collaboration skills to work cross-functionally.
• Preferred: CPA; experience at a hardware, semiconductor or high-growth startup.