Assistant Controller

Our client is looking for an assistant controller to join their team. This is a net new position due to growth. This job will require the candidate to be site 4-5x per week.

Position Overview

The Assistant Controller will play a critical role in overseeing accounting operations, strengthening internal controls, and ensuring full compliance with government contracting requirements. This role is ideal for a high-potential accounting leader with a public accounting foundation (Big 4 or national firm preferred) and experience supporting complex, fast-paced GovCon environments. The Assistant Controller will partner closely with the Controller, CFO, and operational leadership to drive accounting accuracy, timely close cycles, audit readiness, and process improvement.

Key Responsibilities

Accounting Operations & Close

• Lead monthly, quarterly, and annual close processes, ensuring accurate and timely financial results.
• Oversee general ledger management, account reconciliations, and journal entries across multiple entities and cost centers.
• Maintain and enforce an effective chart of accounts tailored for government contracting.

Financial Reporting

• Support preparation of financial statements in accordance with US GAAP.
• Assist in the preparation of internal reporting packages for executive leadership and the board.
• Lead variance analyses, KPIs, and performance dashboards to support financial insights.

GovCon Compliance

• Ensure compliance with FAR, DFARS, CAS, and other government contracting requirements.
• Support indirect rate structure development, monitoring, and annual submissions.
• Oversee contract accounting including T&M, CPFF, FFP, and cost-reimbursable billing support.
• Partner with contracts, pricing, and project control teams to maintain accurate revenue recognition (ASC 606 preferred).

Audit & Controls

• Serve as the primary contact for external auditors (financial statements and internal controls).
• Leverage public accounting experience to enhance audit readiness and strengthen internal controls.
• Lead implementation and monitoring of SOX-like internal controls, documentation, and remediation efforts.
• Support DCAA audits, incurred cost submissions, and compliance reviews.

Systems & Process Improvement

• Drive continuous improvement in accounting policies, procedures, and automation.
• Partner with IT and FP&A on ERP enhancements (Costpoint, Unanet, NetSuite, or similar).
• Lead initiatives to shorten the close cycle, modernize reporting, and improve data accuracy.

Leadership & Team Development

• Supervise, mentor, and train accounting staff (AP, AR, GL, billing, and project accounting).
• Promote a culture of accountability, operational excellence, and continuous improvement.
• Support cross-functional collaboration with Operations, Contracts, HR, and FP&A.

Qualifications

Required

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting or Finance; Master’s preferred.
• Active CPA (or CPA-track) required.
• Public accounting experience (Big 4 or large national firm strongly preferred).
• 6–12 years of total accounting experience with increasing responsibility.
• Strong understanding of US GAAP, internal controls, and technical accounting fundamentals.
• Experience working in or supporting a government contracting environment (FAR/DFARS).
• Strong knowledge of indirect rates, overhead structure, and GovCon cost accounting.

Preferred

• Experience with Costpoint, Unanet, SAP, or NetSuite in a GovCon environment.
• Understanding of project accounting, revenue recognition (ASC 606), and multi-entity consolidation.
• Prior experience supporting or leading a high-growth or PE-backed government contractor.