Assistant Controller

Our mission at Duolingo is to develop the best education in the world and make it universally available. It’s a big mission, and that’s where you come in!

At Duolingo, you’ll join a team that cares about educating our users, experimenting with big ideas, making fact-based decisions, and finding innovative solutions to complex problems. You’ll have limitless learning opportunities and daily collaborations with world-class minds — while doing work that’s both meaningful and fun.

Join our life-changing mission to develop education for our half a billion (and growing!) learners around the world.

Read our blog to learn more.

About the role...

Duolingo is looking for an experienced Assistant Controller to help scale a best-in-class accounting organization. Reporting to the Corporate Controller, you’ll lead core accounting operations and own the close process from end to end.

This role is ideal for someone who enjoys being deeply involved in the mechanics of the close process and reviewing transactional activity. You’ll be expected to understand the numbers at a granular level, dig into how things work, and quickly recognize when something is off. Success in this role requires curiosity, rigor, and a commitment to 100% accuracy in our financial data.

🧠 You will...

• Lead day-to-day accounting operations, including month-end close, balance sheet reconciliations, and accounts payable


• Own the monthly, quarterly, and annual close process, ensuring timely and accurate reporting


• Review and approve journal entries and reconciliations with a high bar for quality and documentation


• Develop deep expertise in revenue, expenses, and balance sheet activity to proactively identify and resolve issues


• Oversee accounts payable, ensuring accurate coding, proper approvals, and timely payments


• Improve AP workflows, controls, and vendor experience


• Drive automation and systems improvements (e.g., NetSuite, Zip) to reduce manual work and accelerate close


• Partner with FP&A and cross-functional stakeholders to ensure alignment and accurate financial reporting


• Maintain strong SOX compliance and internal controls


• Manage and develop members of the accounting team, setting clear expectations and unblocking challenges
  

✅ You have...

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field (or equivalent experience); CPA required


• 10+ years of progressive accounting experience, including public accounting (Big 4 preferred) and industry experience


• Experience leading accounting teams in high-growth or complex environments


• Deep expertise in US GAAP


• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to dive into systems and processes


• Excellent cross-functional collaboration skills


• Strong organization and project management skills, with the ability to manage multiple deadlines


• Ability to work in Pittsburgh, PA. This role follows our 4+1 in-office model (Monday–Thursday in office, Friday optional)

⭐ Exceptional candidates will have...

• Public company experience


• Experience with NetSuite and Zip


• Familiarity with Google Workspace


• Experience in a fast-paced tech company


• A strong Duolingo streak 😉