Finance Controller

GENERAL SUMMARY
The Finance Controller is a financial leader responsible for the integrity of all accounting, financial reporting, internal controls, and compliance activities for an aerospace services organization supporting both commercial aerospace and US Defense related programs.
This role ensures accurate financial reporting, strong audit readiness, and compliance with DFARS/FAR requirements where applicable, while also supporting the operational and commercial realities of a labor-intensive, project-based aerospace services business. The Controller is a key partner to executive leadership, Operations, and Program Management, providing financial discipline, insight, and scalability to support profitable growth.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS - Essential functions are the basic job duties that an employee must be able to perform, with or without reasonable accommodation.

• Own the monthly, quarterly, and annual close process in accordance with U.S. GAAP.
• Prepare accurate financial statements, management reports, and variance analyses for executive leadership.
• Maintain strong internal controls over general ledger, payroll, expense reporting, billing, and cash management.
• Support executive, board, and shareholder reporting as required.
• Oversee revenue recognition and cost accounting for project-based, contract-driven aerospace services, including commercial and government-adjacent work.
• Ensure accurate tracking of labor, overhead, and project costs to support margin visibility and pricing discipline.
• Monitor project profitability, labor utilization, and overhead recovery across customer programs.
• Partner with Operations to improve financial transparency at the project, contract, and customer level.
• Ensure financial compliance with DFARS, FAR cost principles, and customer flow-down requirements for applicable contracts.
• Maintain audit-ready financial practices to support customer audits, external financial audits, and government-related reviews.
• Oversee timekeeping, labor charging, and cost segregation practices in alignment with government contracting expectations.
• Track and report allowable vs. unallowable costs where required.
• Support commercial aerospace customers with accurate billing, reporting, and financial controls aligned to contract terms.
• Ensure timely and accurate invoicing for large OEM and Tier-1 customers.
• Assist leadership with pricing analysis, margin improvement initiatives, and customer profitability assessments.
• Lead the annual budgeting and rolling forecast process.
• Develop financial models and forecasts to support growth initiatives, pricing strategies, and workforce planning.
• Provide cash flow projections and scenario analyses to support executive decision-making.
• Support long-range strategic planning with data-driven financial insights.
• Manage cash flow, banking relationships, and credit facilities.
• Oversee accounts receivable and collections, including large commercial OEM and government-related customers.
• Monitor and optimize working capital in a labor-driven services environment.
• Lead, coach, and develop the accounting and finance team.
• Drive continuous improvement of accounting systems, processes, and internal controls to support scale and audit readiness.
• Partner cross-functionally with Operations, HR, Program Management, and Business Development.
• Support ERP, timekeeping, and financial reporting system enhancements.
• Performs other duties as assigned

Extensive Knowledge of:

• High integrity and strong controls mindset
• Executive-level communication and presentation skills
• Audit and compliance discipline balanced with operational pragmatism
• Strong analytical and problem-solving capability
• Collaborative, cross-functional leadership approach
• Ability to operate effectively in a fast-paced, regulated aerospace environment

Skills:

• Fluent English - reading and writing is required
• Professionalism, integrity, and exceptional attention to detail
• Strong independent decision-making skills; excellent analytical skills and professional judgment
• Excellent interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills

Ability to:

• Collect, organize, analyze, and disseminate significant amounts of information with attention to detail and accuracy
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships
• Pass pre-hire background check including credit screening

Supervision Received:

• The work is performed under general supervision

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting or Finance.
• 8-10+ years of progressive accounting/finance experience.
• Experience in aerospace, defense, industrial services, or engineering-/labor-based services environments.
• Strong knowledge of project accounting, labor cost structures, and service-based revenue recognition.
• Advanced Excel and financial systems proficiency.
• Strong understanding of internal controls and audit readiness.
• CPA or equivalent professional certification.
• Direct experience with government contracting, DFARS/FAR environments, or audit-heavy customers.
• Experience supporting both commercial aerospace OEMs/Tier-1s and government-adjacent customers.
• Experience scaling finance operations in a growing, multi-customer services organization.
• Experience with various MRP/ERP systems and data gathering
• Excellent oral and written communication skills
• Extremely detail-oriented and organized with a high level of commitment and follow-through
• A motivated self-starter who can work both autonomously and collaboratively

LICENSES, CERTIFICATIONS & OTHER REQUIRMENTS:

• US citizenship or permanent residence status required depending on work location.
• Pass pre-hire background check including DMV and credit screening
• Pass Pre-hire Drug Screening

WORKING CONDITIONS
Productivity: Incumbents must perform work in an efficient, effective, and timely manner with minimal direction. Mobility: Incumbents are required to participate in assigned physical activities which may include light lifting and sitting for prolonged periods of time.
Vision: enough to read printed documents, computer screens, and observe behavior of others.
Environment: Typical home office conditions, working directly with Senior Management, local and remote staff members.
Other Factors: Typical hours worked are Monday - Friday from 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Incumbents may be required to work occasional extended hours.
The employee is occasionally required to stand; walk (approximately 1-2 miles a day); sit; reach with hands and arms; climb or balance; and stoop or kneel. The noise level in the work environment is usually low.

BENEFITS:

• 12 days paid vacation first year, increasing with service years
• 10 days paid sick time
• 11 paid holidays
• Healthcare insurance available: Medical, dental, vision, STD, LTD, critical illness, life insurance for self and dependents
• 401k with match

}