Assistant Controller

Assistant Controller – Job Description

Position Summary
The Assistant Controller serves as a key financial leader responsible for overseeing core accounting operations, ensuring a strong internal control environment, and supporting accurate, timely financial reporting. This role partners closely with Purchasing, Contracts, Operations, Program Management, Corporate Accounting, and executive leadership to strengthen compliance, improve business processes, and support organizational growth through operational excellence, financial leadership, and cross-functional collaboration.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities
Accounting Leadership

• Lead daily accounting operations across Accounts Payable, Accounts Receivable, General Ledger, and related accounting functions.
• Own monthly, quarterly, and annual close processes to ensure accurate, timely, and compliant financial reporting.
• Drive operational accounting improvements and resolve root-cause issues impacting accounting performance.
• Support preparation of financial statements, management reporting, and corporate reporting requirements.

Cross-Functional Business Partnership

• Partner closely with Purchasing, Contracts, Operations, Program Management, IT, Corporate Accounting, and Finance leadership to support business objectives and resolve operational challenges.
• Collaborate with Purchasing teams to investigate and resolve Accounts Payable issues, supplier-related concerns, and process inefficiencies.
• Partner with Contracts and Program teams to support Accounts Receivable activities, customer billing matters, collections, and contract-related financial issues.
• Work closely with Operations leadership to support capacity expansion initiatives, manufacturing readiness activities, inventory accuracy, business growth objectives, process improvements, and other strategic initiatives.
• Lead accounting process transformation initiatives designed to improve scalability, efficiency, compliance, and operational effectiveness.
• Identify root causes of business process issues and lead cross-functional teams in developing sustainable solutions.
• Support ERP modernization efforts, including Oracle Fusion implementation and optimization activities.

Controls, Compliance & Audit

• Maintain and strengthen a robust SOX-compliant internal control environment.
• Lead preparation for and support successful completion of internal and external audits.
• Develop, implement, and improve accounting policies, procedures, and governance practices.
• Ensure compliance with U.S. GAAP and applicable regulatory requirements.

Leadership & Team Development

• Lead, mentor, coach, and develop accounting staff.
• Foster a culture of accountability, continuous improvement, and operational excellence.
• Build strong relationships throughout the organization and serve as a trusted business partner.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in accounting, Finance, or related field.
• 8+ years of progressive accounting and financial leadership experience.
• Demonstrated experience leading accounting operations including Accounts Payable, Accounts Receivable, General Ledger, and close processes.
• Strong knowledge of U.S. GAAP, SOX, audit environments, and internal controls.
• ERP systems experience.
• Proven ability to lead teams, drive change, manage competing priorities, and improve business processes.

Preferred Qualifications

• CPA strongly preferred.
• MBA preferred.
• Oracle Fusion experience preferred.
• Experience within manufacturing, aerospace, defense, or other operationally complex environments preferred.
• Experience supporting ERP implementations, business transformation initiatives, or process improvement programs.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Strong operational accounting expertise.
• Excellent leadership, coaching, and mentoring skills.
• Demonstrated ability to independently identify issues, investigate root causes, influence stakeholders, and drive sustainable solutions with minimal supervision.
• Strong analytical, organizational, and problem-solving abilities.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills.
• Proven ability to influence and collaborate effectively across Purchasing, Contracts, Operations, Program Management, Corporate Accounting, and Executive Leadership teams.
• Ability to operate effectively within a dynamic and evolving business environment.

Work Location
This position is based in Chandler, Arizona and is expected to work onsite as part of the finance leadership team.

Export Control / ITAR Requirement
This role is subject to ITAR regulations.