What are the responsibilities and job description for the Controller position at Cherry Bekaert?
Corporate Controller
Location: Virginia Beach, VA (Relocation Assistance Available)
Compensation: $175,000–$225,000 base salary plus 10–20% bonus (higher consideration for exceptional candidates)
Employment Type: Full-Time, Permanent
Cherry Bekeart is partnered with a growing, private equity‑backed government contractor who is seeking a Corporate Controller to join their team on a permanent basis.
This newly created role reflects the organization’s continued growth, ongoing acquisitions, and commitment to strengthening its financial infrastructure. The Corporate Controller will serve as a key financial leader, partnering closely with executive leadership to ensure operational excellence, regulatory compliance, and scalable financial processes in a complex government contracting environment.
The ideal candidate will bring deep government contracting expertise, strong leadership experience, and a proven ability to drive process improvements while operating comfortably in a high-growth, transformation-oriented organization.
Relocation assistance is available for qualified candidates outside the Virginia Beach area.
Position Summary
The Corporate Controller will lead the accounting and financial operations of the organization, providing hands-on oversight of day-to-day accounting activities while delivering strategic financial guidance to support growth initiatives. This role manages a sizable accounting team and plays a critical role in audit readiness, compliance, systems optimization, and executive decision support within a FAR-regulated environment.
Key Responsibilities
Government Contract Accounting & Compliance
Qualifications
Required Qualifications
IND4
Location: Virginia Beach, VA (Relocation Assistance Available)
Compensation: $175,000–$225,000 base salary plus 10–20% bonus (higher consideration for exceptional candidates)
Employment Type: Full-Time, Permanent
Cherry Bekeart is partnered with a growing, private equity‑backed government contractor who is seeking a Corporate Controller to join their team on a permanent basis.
This newly created role reflects the organization’s continued growth, ongoing acquisitions, and commitment to strengthening its financial infrastructure. The Corporate Controller will serve as a key financial leader, partnering closely with executive leadership to ensure operational excellence, regulatory compliance, and scalable financial processes in a complex government contracting environment.
The ideal candidate will bring deep government contracting expertise, strong leadership experience, and a proven ability to drive process improvements while operating comfortably in a high-growth, transformation-oriented organization.
Relocation assistance is available for qualified candidates outside the Virginia Beach area.
Position Summary
The Corporate Controller will lead the accounting and financial operations of the organization, providing hands-on oversight of day-to-day accounting activities while delivering strategic financial guidance to support growth initiatives. This role manages a sizable accounting team and plays a critical role in audit readiness, compliance, systems optimization, and executive decision support within a FAR-regulated environment.
Key Responsibilities
Government Contract Accounting & Compliance
- Ensure full compliance with FAR, DFARS, DCAA, and all applicable federal regulatory requirements
- Lead indirect rate development, monitoring, and annual budgeting processes
- Oversee the annual Incurred Cost Submission (ICS), including preparation, analysis, and audit support
- Maintain compliant job cost accounting and contract-specific billing practices
- Serve as the primary liaison for DCAA audits, system reviews, pre‑award surveys, and other government inquiries
- Ensure compliance across timekeeping, labor charging, payroll integration, and cost accounting practices
- Oversee all daily accounting operations, including accounts payable, accounts receivable, general ledger, payroll interface, and cash management
- Lead month-end, quarter-end, and year-end close processes with a focus on accuracy, timeliness, and contract performance
- Ensure preparation of GAAP-compliant and government-compliant financial statements and disclosures
- Strengthen internal controls to support audit readiness, risk management, and scalable growth
- Develop standardized financial reporting packages, dashboards, and KPIs for executive leadership, including analysis of contract margins, indirect rates, and cash flow
- Serve as the organizational owner of Deltek Costpoint, ensuring accurate configuration and ongoing optimization
- Drive automation, workflow enhancements, and system integrations to improve efficiency, accuracy, and audit traceability
- Strengthen system internal controls, segregation of duties, and documentation standards
- Lead cash flow forecasting, liquidity planning, and working capital management in alignment with government payment cycles
- Support mergers and acquisitions through financial due diligence, integration planning, and post-acquisition accounting alignment
- Partner with executive leadership to provide insights and recommendations that support strategic initiatives and operational decision-making
- Lead, mentor, and develop a high-performing accounting team, including multiple managers and accounting staff
- Promote a culture of accountability, continuous improvement, and operational excellence
- Provide guidance and training across the organization on compliant accounting practices and audit readiness
Qualifications
Required Qualifications
- 15 years of progressive accounting and finance experience
- 10 years of leadership experience within the government contracting industry
- Extensive hands-on experience with FAR, DFARS, DCAA, and government contracting compliance
- Strong proficiency with Deltek Costpoint
- Proven experience leading accounting operations in a high-growth, multi-contract environment
- Excellent communication skills with the ability to partner at the executive level
- CPA strongly preferred; highly qualified candidates without a CPA will be considered
- Prior experience in private equity-backed or acquisitive organizations
- Background in government contracting audit or advisory services
- Security Clearance: Must be eligible to obtain and maintain a DoD Secret clearance
- Travel: Occasional travel (less than 10%)
- Work Authorization: Ability to meet access requirements for secure government or military facilities
IND4
Salary : $175,000 - $225,000