Accounting

About ai&

ai& is a new global AI technology company dedicated to meeting the world's growing demand for AI. Our vision is twofold: to serve as a premier AI lab specializing in localization, and to act as a global infrastructure and compute provider. We are building a unified, optimized global platform that integrates next-generation data centers and infrastructure, heterogeneous compute serving, and advanced model services. We believe that the most effective way to build and scale AI is to own the stack from top to bottom.

At ai&, we empower small teams with the autonomy needed to tackle significant challenges. Our approach is to deconstruct large problems into manageable components and solve complex issues collaboratively. We seek highly motivated, mission-driven individuals who demonstrate strong personal agency. We value curiosity as the foundation of talent, and we are looking for people eager to develop alongside our evolving technology and expanding business.

We are actively hiring worldwide, with presence in Tokyo, SF, Austin, and Toronto. We are more than happy to meet exceptional talent where they are.

Role Overview

As our Accounting hire in Japan, you will be the driving force behind our day-to-day bookkeeping and transaction processing, ensuring ai& Japan’s finances remain clean, accurate, and close-ready every month. Every journal entry, reconciliation, invoice, and payroll run moves through you.

This is a hands-on, execution-focused role. You are detail-oriented, diligent, and ensure errors are promptly addressed. You take pride in consistently organized books and a month-end close that is always delivered on time. Additionally, you will help build ai& Japan’s accounting infrastructure from the ground up—implementing systems, workflows, and processes central to our finance operations. You will also contribute to budgeting and forecasting to support business planning and decision-making.

Responsibilities

• Transaction Processing: Accurately record and process all financial transactions each day, including accounts payable, accounts receivable, expense claims, and bank transactions.

• Monthly Close Execution: Take ownership of the monthly close process. Prepare and post journal entries, reconcile every balance sheet account, resolve outstanding items, and ensure everything is ready for review on schedule.

• Accounts Payable & Receivable: Own all AP and AR activities end-to-end. Process vendor invoices, manage payment runs, track receivables, and keep all accounts reconciled and up to date.

• Payroll Processing: Accurately and punctually run payroll for ai& Japan. Ensure compliance with Japanese tax and social insurance requirements, coordinate with HR on employee changes, and maintain current payroll records.

• Bank Reconciliation: Regularly reconcile bank accounts, identify discrepancies quickly, and maintain accurate bank records for all entities and accounts.

• Expense Management: Process and reconcile employee expense reports, enforce company expense policies, and ensure all records are audit-ready and properly documented.

• Tax & Compliance Support: Prepare schedules and workpapers for tax filings and statutory reporting. Liaise with external tax advisors to ensure the accuracy and timeliness of all source data.

• Systems & Process Setup: Assist in setting up and maintaining accounting systems, chart of accounts, and workflows as the business scales. Ensure all accounting systems remain organized and efficient.

• Budget & Forecasting: Support the preparation and management of budgets and financial forecasts. Assist in tracking performance against budget, analyzing variances, and providing insights to support business decisions.

What We’re Looking For

• Hands-On Bookkeeping Experience: You have performed transaction processing, journal entry, reconciliation, and payroll yourself—not just supervised others.

• Monthly Close Execution: Proven experience executing the monthly close, fully owning the process and delivering clean numbers on time.

• Japanese Accounting Proficiency: Deep knowledge of Japanese bookkeeping standards, tax rules, and payroll compliance. You accurately apply all local requirements.

• Accounting Software Expertise: Practical experience with Japanese accounting software (e.g., Freee, MoneyForward, or similar), including system setup and day-to-day maintenance.

• Meticulous Accuracy: You take ownership of the details—regularly reconciling and immediately investigating discrepancies. Pristine books are your priority.

• Bilingual Fluency: Professional-level fluency in both Japanese and English.

• Collaborative Spirit: You approach finance with a mission-driven mindset, value teamwork, communicate clearly, and are committed to shared success.