[Hiring] Controller @Cherry Bekaert

Role Description

We are seeking a hands-on Controller to own the accounting and finance function as the company scales. This is a true “build-and-own” role reporting directly to the Chief Operating Officer.

The Controller will be the senior finance leader in the business, responsible for everything from day-to-day accounting operations to government contract compliance, FP&A, and strategic financial insight. This role is ideal for someone who thrives in a fast-moving environment, enjoys autonomy, and is comfortable rolling up their sleeves.

Remote is fully supported; candidates local to NYC are welcome but not required.

Role Breakdown

• 40% Accounting
• 25% Government Contracting (GovCon)
• 20% FP&A
• 5% HR / Payroll-related activities
• 10% Ad hoc / special projects

Key Responsibilities

• Accounting & Operations
  • Own all aspects of accounting, including AP, payroll, general ledger, journal entries, and month-end close
  • Lead balance sheet reconciliations, labor distribution, and revenue recognition
  • Manage cash flow, burn rate, and working capital
  • Maintain strong internal controls and GAAP compliance
  • Oversee vendor payments and expense classification
  • Manage timekeeping systems, job codes, and PTO banks
• Government Contracting
  • Act as Contracts Administrator for U.S. Government contracts
  • Lead interactions with DCAA and DCMA (audits, compliance, negotiations)
  • Develop and manage indirect cost rates, provisional billing rates, and incurred cost submissions
  • Support proposal cost volumes, pricing, FAR/DFARS compliance, and post-award administration
  • Oversee invoicing, job costing, revenue recognition, contract modifications, and closeouts
• FP&A & Reporting
  • Build and maintain financial models for revenue, expenses, and cash runway
  • Prepare monthly financial packages and executive dashboards (KPIs, utilization, burn)
  • Produce monthly utilization reporting for engineering teams
  • Support strategic planning and growth initiatives
• Equity, Tax, and Compliance
  • Manage stock administration, cap table, and stock-based compensation
  • Lead annual 409A valuation with third-party firm
  • Coordinate all federal, state, and local tax filings with external tax advisors (including estimates and 1099s)
  • Calculate and process quarterly commissions
• Process Improvement
  • Evaluate and improve financial systems and tools (currently QuickBooks; ERP experience welcomed)
  • Drive automation and scalable processes as the company grows (e.g., Ramp implementation)

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting
• 7+ years of experience combining public accounting and industry roles
• Strong U.S. Government contracting experience (DCAA/DCMA, indirect rates, FAR/DFARS)
• Deep understanding of GAAP and operational accounting
• Highly detail-oriented, deadline-driven, and organized
• Strong communication skills and comfort working directly with senior leadership
• U.S. Citizen (must be clearable)

Preferred Qualifications

• CPA designation
• Experience in a growth-stage or venture-backed environment
• Prior work in GovCon + commercial SaaS or technology companies
• Experience with QuickBooks and/or ERP implementations
• Active or prior Secret/Top Secret clearance, or willingness to obtain one

Ideal Candidate Profile

This role is best suited for a senior, hands-on finance professional (typically 10–15 years of experience) who:

• Is comfortable being a “one-person finance team”
• Has seen growth and understands scale-related challenges
• Is proactive, not reactive
• Enjoys building, fixing, and improving processes
• Brings strong energy, ownership mentality, and long-term commitment
• No job hoppers. Stability and judgment matter here.