Controller

Position Summary

The Controller is a senior finance and accounting professional responsible for managing the company's day-to-day finance and accounting operations and supporting the Chief Financial Officer in the financial management of a small, tribally owned federal government contracting organization. This position serves as the company's primary finance and accounting professional below the CFO and is responsible for independently managing a broad range of accounting, payroll, financial reporting, government contract accounting, compliance, and financial systems activities.

The Controller will apply extensive federal government contracting finance and accounting experience to ensure accurate financial records, effective internal controls, compliant cost accounting practices, timely financial reporting, and sound financial processes. The position will work closely with the CFO and executive leadership to support business growth, contract performance, strategic decision-making, and compliance with applicable federal contracting requirements.

The ideal candidate will have at least ten (10) years of progressively responsible experience in finance and accounting within the federal government contracting industry and demonstrated experience operating with a high degree of independence in a small business environment.

Key Responsibilities

Financial and Accounting Operations

• Manage the day-to-day finance and accounting operations, including general ledger, accounts payable, accounts receivable, cash management, payroll, account reconciliations, and month-end and year-end close activities.
• Serve as the primary finance and accounting resource below the CFO, independently managing routine and complex accounting and financial activities.
• Maintain accurate and complete financial records in accordance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP), applicable federal government contracting requirements, and company policies and procedures.
• Maintain and support accounting policies, procedures, internal controls, and financial processes designed to promote accuracy, accountability, compliance, and operational efficiency.
• Perform and review account reconciliations, journal entries, accruals, and other accounting activities as necessary to maintain accurate financial records.
• Coordinate with the CFO on significant accounting matters, financial risks, cash flow needs, and other issues requiring executive-level review or decision-making.
• Support the CFO in developing and implementing scalable finance and accounting processes appropriate for a growing federal government contractor.

Payroll Administration

• Manage and optimize the company's payroll platform to support payroll, employee data, timekeeping, time-off administration, and related human resources and financial processes.
• Support the CFO in administration of the payroll platform, ensuring the system is configured and utilized effectively to support company operations and reporting requirements.
• Manage and prepare the company's bi-weekly payroll, including review and validation of employee time, earnings, deductions, benefits, leave, and other payroll-related information.
• Coordinate with Human Resources and Management to ensure payroll information is accurate, timely, and processed in accordance with company policies and applicable federal, state, and local requirements.
• Reconcile payroll and payroll-related accounts and ensure appropriate recording of payroll transactions in the company's accounting system.
• Identify opportunities to improve payroll workflows, automation, reporting, and system functionality.

Federal Government Contracting Finance and Compliance

• Ensure financial and accounting practices are consistent with applicable Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR), Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement (DFARS), Cost Accounting Standards (CAS), as applicable, and Defense Contract Audit Agency (DCAA) expectations.
• Apply government contracting cost accounting principles to ensure costs are properly classified, allowable, allocable, and reasonable.
• Manage and monitor indirect rate structures, cost pools, allocation methodologies, and indirect cost calculations.
• Monitor contract financial performance, direct and indirect costs, and contract-related financial activity.
• Support the development, maintenance, and monitoring of provisional billing rates and indirect cost rates.
• Support preparation and submission of Incurred Cost Submissions (ICS), as applicable.
• Support DCAA, DCMA, external, financial, and other applicable audits and reviews.
• Assist with government contract pricing, cost proposals, financial analyses, and other contract-related financial requirements.
• Ensure appropriate segregation and identification of direct and indirect costs in accordance with applicable government contracting requirements and company policies.
• Support compliance with Tribal, SBA, and other applicable socioeconomic program requirements, including the SBA 8(a) Business Development Program and related reporting requirements.

Financial Reporting and Analysis

• Assist the CFO with the preparation, review, and analysis of timely and accurate monthly, quarterly, and annual financial statements.
• Prepare financial schedules, reconciliations, supporting documentation, and analyses necessary for financial reporting.
• Develop and monitor budgets, forecasts, cash flow projections, and other financial planning tools in coordination with the CFO.
• Analyze financial performance, contract profitability, revenue, costs, cash flow, and budget-to-actual variances.
• Prepare financial reports and management analyses to support executive decision-making and operational planning.
• Provide the CFO with timely financial information, analysis, and recommendations regarding financial performance, trends, risks, and opportunities.
• Support the CFO in monitoring key financial and operational metrics.

ERP Implementation and Financial Systems

• Assist the CFO with the selection, implementation, conversion, and optimization of the company's ERP system.
• Assist with the implementation and conversion of the company's ERP system, including financial data migration, chart of accounts development, system configuration, testing, reconciliation, and implementation activities.
• Support the integration of the ERP system with the company'spayroll platform and other applicable financial, payroll, timekeeping, and operational systems.
• Evaluate and improve financial systems, processes, workflows, and reporting capabilities to support the company's growth and federal contracting requirements.
• Maintain system integrity and ensure financial data is accurate, secure, and properly controlled.
• Develop and maintain financial reports and system processes that provide reliable and timely information to management.
• Identify opportunities for automation and process improvements to increase efficiency and reduce manual processes.

Financial Controls, Policies, and Process Improvement

• Maintain and strengthen internal controls over financial and accounting activities.
• Assist the CFO in developing, implementing, and updating accounting and finance policies and procedures.
• Monitor compliance with established financial controls and recommend corrective actions when necessary.
• Continuously evaluate finance and accounting processes and implement improvements that increase efficiency, accuracy, scalability, and compliance.
• Support the development of processes and controls appropriate for a growing tribally owned federal government contractor.
• Maintain appropriate financial documentation and records to support audits, government contract compliance, and management reporting.

Audit, Tax, and External Relationships

• Coordinate with the CFO and external auditors, tax advisors, CPA firms, banking partners, payroll providers, and other external service providers as directed.
• Provide financial records, schedules, reconciliations, and supporting documentation for audits and tax filings.
• Support annual financial statement audits, tax return preparation, government contract audits, and other financial reviews.
• Assist with responding to audit inquiries and implementing recommendations, as appropriate.
• Maintain appropriate documentation and audit trails for financial transactions and government contract cost accounting.

Leadership and Collaboration

• Serve as a trusted finance and accounting partner to the CFO and executive leadership team.
• Operate independently and exercise sound judgment while escalating significant financial, accounting, compliance, and operational matters to the CFO.
• Collaborate with Human Resources, Contracts, Operations, Program Management, and other departments to ensure accurate and timely financial information.
• Provide finance and accounting guidance to managers and employees regarding financial policies, procedures, payroll, timekeeping, and related matters.
• Promote a culture of financial accountability, compliance, accuracy, confidentiality, and continuous improvement.
• As the company's primary finance and accounting professional below the CFO, effectively manage competing priorities and deadlines with minimal supervision.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, or a related field.
• Minimum of ten (10) years of progressively responsible finance and accounting experience, with significant experience in the federal government contracting industry.
• Demonstrated experience independently managing finance and accounting operations in a growing organization.
• Extensive knowledge of federal government contracting requirements, including FAR, DFARS, CAS, as applicable, and DCAA requirements and expectations.
• Strong understanding of GAAP and government contract cost accounting principles.
• Demonstrated experience with direct and indirect cost accounting, indirect rate structures, cost pools, and allocation methodologies.
• Experience with government contract financial reporting, contract cost analysis, budgeting, forecasting, and financial analysis.
• Demonstrated experience with payroll administration and payroll systems; experience managing payroll through Paycom preferred.
• Experience administering, optimizing, or implementing ERP and accounting systems.
• Experience assisting with ERP system conversions, financial data migration, system testing, and implementation preferred.
• Experience preparing or supporting the preparation of financial statements.
• Experience supporting government contract audits, external financial audits, tax preparation, and/or DCAA audits.
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel and demonstrated ability to analyze complex financial data.
• Ability to work independently, manage multiple priorities, and meet critical deadlines in a fast-paced , remote, small business environment.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills and the ability to communicate financial information effectively to executive leadership and non-financial personnel.

Preferred Qualifications

• CPA, CMA, or similar professional certification.
• Experience supporting SBA programs, including the SBA 8(a) Business Development Program and other socioeconomic programs.
• Experience working for a tribally owned or Native-owned federal government contractor.
• Experience with Deltek Costpoint, Unanet, Microsoft Dynamics 365, Sage, NetSuite, or other ERP systems.
• Experience implementing or converting ERP and financial management systems.
• Experience administering and optimizing Paycom or similar payroll and human capital management platforms.
• Experience with Incurred Cost Submissions and DCAA audits.
• Experience with provisional billing rates, indirect rate calculations, and government contract pricing.
• Experience supporting organizations through periods of rapid growth, system implementations, audits, and process transformation.

Core Competencies

• Extensive federal government contracting finance and accounting expertise.
• Strong knowledge of government contract cost accounting and compliance.
• High degree of independence and sound professional judgment.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Attention to detail and commitment to financial accuracy.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and competing deadlines.
• Strong organizational and time-management skills.
• High level of integrity, confidentiality, and professionalism.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to explain complex financial and accounting concepts to non-financial personnel.
• Adaptability and ability to thrive in a small, growing organization.
• Commitment to continuous process improvement and operational efficiency.

Work Environment & Physical Requirements

• Office-based, hybrid, or remote work environment, as applicable.
• Extended periods of computer use and work at a workstation.
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision.
• Occasional extended hours may be required during payroll processing, month-end and year-end close, audits, ERP implementation or conversion, and other critical financial deadlines.
• Occasional travel may be required for business meetings, audits, training, or other Company needs.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

Physical job requirements encompass a range of activities that may be necessary for various roles. These can include, but are not limited to:

• Lifting and Carrying: Ability to lift and transport objects up to 25 pounds occasionally. 
• Standing and Walking: Position may require prolonged periods of standing or walking. 
• Bending and Stooping: Ability to bend, stoop, and crouch as needed. 
• Reaching and Pushing/Pulling: Ability to reach for items and move office equipment as necessary. 
• Sitting: Ability to sit for extended periods while performing administrative and computer-based work. 

Equal Opportunity & Tribal Preference Statement

Kahtnuht’ana Development Corporation (KDC) is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other protected status.

In accordance with applicable federal law, preference will be given to qualified Kenaitze Indian Tribe members.