Financial Controller

About the role

The company is a venture‑backed, dual‑use defense‑technology firm scaling rapidly. As the first dedicated Finance Controller, you will lead the transformation from a QuickBooks‑based finance function to an audit‑ready, multi‑entity ERP environment within about twelve months.

Key responsibilities

• Implement a modern ERP (NetSuite or similar) starting from QuickBooks.
• Own and accelerate month‑end close, reducing the cycle to 3‑5 days.
• Design and manage project, contract, or program accounting linking revenue, costs, and capitalized assets to deliverables.
• Establish policies for moving hardware from procurement to inventory and then to capitalized assets.
• Lead multi‑entity reconciliations across U.S., APAC, and Gulf entities.
• Drive audit readiness, including preparation for federal contract audits such as DCAA.
• Manage an outsourced accounting consultancy and build an internal team of up to four members within two years.
• Partner with the Director of Finance on forecasting and with the CEO on audit and federal contract posture.

Required profile

• CPA certification.
• 8‑14 years of accounting and controllership experience, ideally combining Big 4 or national firm work with industry exposure.
• Hands‑on ERP implementation experience (NetSuite, Sage Intacct, Microsoft Dynamics, Workday Financials, or Deltek) from a lightweight system.
• Proven project‑based accounting expertise in sectors such as aerospace, defense, government services, construction, or engineering.
• Experience with government contracting, including fixed‑price and cost‑plus accounting and participation in federal audit preparation.
• U.S. citizenship and ability to work the hybrid schedule in Arlington, VA.

Required skills

• CPA
• NetSuite
• Sage Intacct
• Microsoft Dynamics
• Workday Financials
• Deltek
• QuickBooks
• Project accounting
• Inventory management
• Fixed‑asset capitalization
• DCAA audit preparation

What we offer

• Base salary $180,000 – $225,000
• Bonus participation
• Equity participation
• Hybrid work model (3 days on‑site, 2 days remote)