Controller

Overview

This role involves owning accounting from the ground up and building out a finance function that supports government contracting and scaling into commercial markets. Responsibilities include end-to-end financial close, controls and technical accounting, audit readiness, and managing relationships with DCAA and DCMA.

You will report to the Director of Finance and take ownership of close, controls, technical accounting, audit, tax, and compliance activities.

Responsibilities

Financial Reporting & Close

• Own the monthly, quarterly, and annual close end to end, delivering timely and accurate financial statements under U.S. GAAP.
• Oversee general ledger activity and account reconciliations, including DCAA-compliant labor distributions.
• Build and deliver monthly reporting packages for executive leadership, the Board, and external parties as needed.
• Document the close process and continuously improve it through automation as the team scales.

Accounting Operations

• Oversee banking, billing, accounts receivable, accounts payable, payroll, timekeeping, expense reporting, and fixed assets.
• Design, document, and test internal controls, including segregation of duties and DCAA-compliant timekeeping and labor charging.
• Ensure accounting processes meet government contract requirements, including identifying and segregating unallowable costs.
• Own accounting (QuickBooks) and timekeeping (Rippling) systems.
• Lead selection and implementation of a fully integrated GovCon ERP.

Technical Accounting

• Write, implement, and maintain company accounting policies as the technical accounting lead.
• Prepare technical memos for complex transactions and evaluate new accounting standards.
• Own accounting conclusions in complex areas, including:
  • Revenue recognition (ASC 606)
  • Inventory
  • Leases (ASC 842)
  • Stock-based compensation (ASC 718)
  • Business combinations (ASC 805)
• Partner with the Director of Finance to advise leadership on accounting impact of new contracts, financings, and acquisitions.

Audit, Tax & Compliance

• Own the annual financial statement audit end to end, including the relationship with external auditors.
• Keep audit schedules current year-round.
• Coordinate with an external tax firm on returns, provision, and R&D and other credits.
• Maintain multi-state registrations and filings; oversee sales and use tax and any international filings as growth requires.
• Own the company’s relationship with DCAA and DCMA, supporting requests and audits.
• Partner with the Director of Finance to develop and maintain indirect rates and related filings, including incurred cost submissions.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in accounting or finance; active CPA license required.
• 10+ years of accounting or finance experience, including time in a leadership role.
• Government contracting experience, including FAR Part 31 cost principles and DCAA expectations for accounting systems.
• Hands-on experience leading a financial close.
• Experience setting up or maintaining compliant timekeeping and labor distribution.
• Experience leading a financial statement audit.

Skills

• Strong expertise in U.S. GAAP, technical accounting, and internal controls.
• Advanced Excel skills and experience with QuickBooks or a similar accounting system.
• Experience using automation to reduce manual work in daily accounting workflows.
• Comfortable acting as a player/coach and jumping in to get the work done.
• Clear communicator able to explain accounting impacts to engineers, executives, and government auditors.
• Self-directed and organized in a fully remote environment.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in defense tech or at a venture-backed startup.
• Experience with cost-type contracts, indirect rate structures, or incurred cost submissions.
• Public accounting experience, ideally with government contractor clients.
• Experience selecting or implementing a GovCon ERP (e.g., Deltek Costpoint, Unanet, or similar).
• Experience building an accounting team at a growing company.

Important Qualification Note

Due to the nature of the work and federal compliance requirements, this position strictly requires U.S. Citizenship and current residency within the United States. Permanent Residency (Green Card status) or visa sponsorship cannot satisfy these specific regulatory requirements.

Compensation & Benefits

• Target base salary: $150,000 - $195,000 annually, determined based on the candidate’s experience level.
• Significant equity stake.
• 100% remote.
• Comprehensive health coverage (medical, dental, and vision).
• 401(k) package with a 6% company match.
• Generous Discretionary Time off (DTO) policy.
• Elite technology package.

Location

• Fully remote; open to residents across the US.

Equal Opportunity Employer

This employer is an equal opportunity employer committed to creating a welcoming and respectful environment for everyone.