What are the responsibilities and job description for the Director, Government Accounting position at Vaco by Highspring?
Title: Director, Government Accounting
Company: Aerospace and Defense
Compensation: $240,000 - $280,000, bonus, RSUs
Location: San Diego, CA (Remote)
Overview:
Our client, a global aerospace and defense organization, is seeking a Director of Government Accounting to lead its corporate government accounting function. This role serves as the primary liaison with government auditors and partners closely with executive leadership to ensure full compliance with regulatory requirements while supporting continued growth in government contracting.
Summary:
The Director of Government Accounting will oversee all aspects of regulatory compliance related to government contracts. This leader will manage a team of accountants, direct financial close and reporting processes, and ensure adherence to Cost Accounting Standards, Federal Acquisition Regulations, and U.S. GAAP. The position plays a critical role in managing audit relationships and guiding strategic decision making tied to government cost structures and submissions.
Key Responsibilities:
* Lead and develop the Government Accounting team, including oversight of close processes and review of deliverables
* Ensure full compliance with CAS, FAR, and GAAP across all government programs
* Serve as primary point of contact for government agencies and auditors including the Defense Contract Audit Agency and Defense Contract Management Agency
* Oversee preparation and timely submission of required filings including Forward Pricing Rate Proposals, Incurred Cost Submissions, and Disclosure Statements
* Direct audit response efforts and coordinate remediation plans when needed
* Advise executive leadership on cost structure, regulatory matters, and accounting implications of government contracts
* Establish and monitor performance metrics to drive operational excellence and continuous improvement
Qualifications
* 15 years of total experience with at least 10 years in government accounting
* Minimum 5 years of supervisory experience leading accounting teams
* Active CPA required
* Deep expertise in Cost Accounting Standards, Federal Acquisition Regulations, and U.S. GAAP
* Proven experience negotiating complex FAR and CAS matters with government agencies
* Strong executive presence with the ability to communicate effectively across all levels, including government representatives
* Ability to manage competing priorities and consistently meet deadlines
* Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel, Word, and PowerPoint
* ERP experience required, with preference for SAP and SAP S/4HANA
* Prior Big 4 or public accounting experience preferred
* U.S. Citizenship required
Vaco by Highspring values a diverse workplace and strongly encourages women, people of color, LGBTQ individuals, people with disabilities, members of ethnic minorities, foreign-born residents, and veterans to apply.
Vaco by Highspring is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of race (including but not limited to traits historically associated with race such as hair texture and hair style), color, sex (includes pregnancy or related conditions), religion or creed, national origin, citizenship, age, disability, status as a veteran, union membership, ethnicity, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, marital status, political affiliation, or any other protected characteristics as required by federal, state or local law.
Vaco by Highspring and its parents, affiliates, and subsidiaries are committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. As part of this commitment, Vaco by Highspring and its parents, affiliates, and subsidiaries will ensure that persons with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodations. If reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and/or to receive other benefits and privileges of employment, please contact HR@vaco.com .
Vaco by Highspring also wants all applicants to know their rights that workplace discrimination is illegal.
By submitting to this position, you agree that you will be giving Vaco by Highspring the exclusive right to present your as a candidate for the foregoing employment opportunity. You further agree that you have represented information about yourself accurately and have not affirmatively misrepresented your qualifications. You also agree to maintain as confidential, to the fullest extent permitted by law, any information you learn from Vaco by Highspring about the position and you will limit disclosure of information about the position only to the extent necessary to perform any obligations in furtherance of your application. In exchange, Vaco by Highspring agrees to exercise reasonable efforts to represent you through all solicitation, job screening and resume dispersal.
Vaco by Highspring and its parents, affiliates, and subsidiaries ("we," "our," or "Vaco by Highspring") respects your privacy and are committed to providing transparent notice of our policies.
- California residents may access Vaco by Highspring HR Notice at Collection for California Applicants and Employees here.
- Virginia residents may access our state specific policies here.
- Residents of all other states may access our policies here.
- Canadian residents may access our policies in English here and in French here.
- Residents of countries governed by GDPR may access our policies here.
Determining compensation for this role (and others) at Vaco by Highspring depends upon a wide array of factors including but not limited to:
- the individual's skill sets, experience and training;
- licensure and certification requirements;
- office location and other geographic considerations;
- other business and organizational needs.
With that said, as required by local law, Vaco by Highspring believes that the following salary range referenced above reasonably estimates the base compensation for an individual hired into this position in geographies that require salary range disclosure. The individual may also be eligible for discretionary bonuses.