A/R, Billing, and Project Setup Manager

ARA; Raleigh (NC); Hybrid; USD 120,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

Applied Research Associates (ARA) is seeking a decisive A/R, Billing, and Setup Manager to lead the corporate accounting teams responsible for accounts receivable, project setup, billing accuracy, and contract closeout. You will drive complex government contracting tasks and ensure compliance with FAR requirements.

You will coach a skilled team, streamline processes, and partner with IT for system improvements, aiming to enhance cash flow, reporting, and audit readiness across multiple divisions

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in accounting or related field with 10–12 years of accounting/billing experience.
• Five or more years of leadership experience with demonstrated success leading and developing staff.
• Hands-on government contract accounting experience and knowledge of FAR billing requirements.
• Experience billing fixed price, T&M, and cost reimbursable contracts.
• Exceptional customer service and communication abilities across all organizational levels.
• Results-oriented with a high degree of integrity and strong judgement.
• Ability to analyze problems, recommend solutions, and maintain compliance with internal and external requirements.
• Experience supporting auditors and preparing audit-ready documentation.
• Professional, reliable, proactive, and committed to continuous learning and improvement.
• Excellent attention to detail and organizational abilities.
• Ability to manage multiple tasks and work under strict deadlines.

Responsibilities

• Lead the day-to-day operations of the A/R, Billing, Project Setup, and Contract Closeout teams.
• Hire, train, coach and develop staff; build depth and ensure continuity of expertise.
• Foster a collaborative, customer-focused culture with strong accountability and process ownership.
• Ensure timely and accurate billing, project setup, rate adjustments, and closeout activities.
• Maintain compliance with FAR 52.216-7 and all relevant government requirements.
• Troubleshoot complex project setup, revenue recognition, and billing issues using expert Costpoint knowledge.
• Develop, document and maintain company-wide procedures governing billing, project setup, collections, and contract closeout.
• Provide guidance on indirect rate structures (including provisional and final rates) and how they impact project setup and billing.
• Monitor and reconcile unbilled receivables to ensure accurate revenue and project setup, and timely billing, closeout and issue identification.
• Oversee collection efforts and maintain A/R reserve analysis.
• Prepare, analyze, and present DSO performance and trends to executive and senior management and the Board of Directors.
• Ensure financial processes support data accuracy, transparency, and long-term sustainability.
• Maintain strong internal controls and ensure adequate process documentation.
• Provide comprehensive support for external financial audits, internal audits, and government/customer audits.
• Collaborate with auditors to provide required data, resolve inquiries, and strengthen audit readiness.
• Lead system upgrade testing, enhancements, and business system evaluation or migration activities.
• Partner with IT and functional SMEs to improve workflows, resolve system issues, and drive process automation.
• Drive continuous process improvement efforts to streamline operations and modernize workflows.
• Identify and implement opportunities to improve efficiency, accuracy, and compliance across all related functions.
• Serve as a subject matter expert to internal customers and project managers on contract terms, billing requirements, and project setup.
• Build strong relationships across the organization to provide expert guidance and resolve issues effectively.
• Continue to partner with our DCMA ACO and staff, providing excellent contract closeout, expiring funds and deobligation support.
• Communicate proactively to ensure alignment across functional and operational teams

Skills

Leadership

Staff development

Government contracting billing

Costpoint knowledge

Financial analysis

Communication

Audits support

Education

Bachelor’s degree in accounting or related field

Master’s or PhD acceptable with equivalent experience

Tools

Deltek Costpoint

WAWF

Job description

ARA’s Corporate Accounting Department seeks a passionate A/R, Billing, and Setup Manager with strong leadership skills and extensive government contracting billing and project setup knowledge. Our team supports the dedicated employee owners who make Applied Research Associates, Inc. (ARA) the success it is today. We are committed to exceptional customer service and delivering accurate and timely project setup, billing, collection services, project closeout, and audit support. We value teamwork, individual and group accountability, and strive for a balanced, enjoyable work environment.

What you’ll do as ARA’s A/R, Billing, and Setup Manager

• Leadership & Team Development
  • Lead the day-to-day operations of the A/R, Billing, Project Setup, and Contract Closeout teams
  • Hire, train, coach and develop staff; build depth and ensure continuity of expertise
  • Foster a collaborative, customer-focused culture with strong accountability and process ownership
• Billing, Project Setup & Compliance
  • Ensure timely and accurate billing, project setup, rate adjustments, and closeout activities
  • Maintain compliance with FAR 52.216-7 and all relevant government requirements
  • Troubleshoot complex project setup, revenue recognition, and billing issues using expert Costpoint knowledge
  • Develop, document and maintain company-wide procedures governing billing, project setup, collections, and contract closeout
  • Provide guidance on indirect rate structures (including provisional and final rates) and how they impact project setup and billing
• Financial Monitoring & Analysis
  • Monitor and reconcile unbilled receivables to ensure accurate revenue and project setup, and timely billing, closeout and issue identification
  • Oversee collection efforts and maintain A/R reserve analysis
  • Prepare, analyze, and present DSO performance and trends to executive and senior management and the Board of Directors
  • Ensure financial processes support data accuracy, transparency, and long-term sustainability
• Audit, Controls & Compliance Support
  • Maintain strong internal controls and ensure adequate process documentation
  • Provide comprehensive support for external financial audits, internal audits, and government/customer audits
  • Collaborate with auditors to provide required data, resolve inquiries, and strengthen audit readiness
• Systems Leadership & Process Modernization
  • Lead system upgrade testing, enhancements, and business system evaluation or migration activities
  • Partner with IT and functional SMEs to improve workflows, resolve system issues, and drive process automation
  • Drive continuous process improvement efforts to streamline operations and modernize workflows
  • Identify and implement opportunities to improve efficiency, accuracy, and compliance across all related functions
• Customer & Stakeholder Partnership
  • Serve as a subject matter expert to internal customers and project managers on contract terms, billing requirements, and project setup
  • Build strong relationships across the organization to provide expert guidance and resolve issues effectively
  • Continue to partner with our DCMA ACO and staff, providing excellent contract closeout, expiring funds and deobligation support
  • Communicate proactively to ensure alignment across functional and operational teams
• A/R, Billing, and Setup Manager Requirements
  • Bachelor’s degree in accounting or related field with 10 – 12 years of accounting/billing experience (Master’s or PhD acceptable with equivalent experience)
  • Five or more years of leadership experience with demonstrated success leading and developing staff
  • Hands-on government contract accounting experience and knowledge of FAR billing requirements
  • Experience billing fixed price, T&M, and cost reimbursable contracts
  • Exceptional customer service and communication abilities across all organizational levels
  • Results-oriented with a high degree of integrity and strong judgement
  • Ability to analyze problems, recommend solutions, and maintain compliance with internal and external requirements
  • Experience supporting auditors and preparing audit-ready documentation
  • Professional, reliable, proactive, and committed to continuous learning and improvement
  • Excellent attention to detail and organizational abilities
  • Ability to manage multiple tasks and work under strict deadlines
• A/R, Billing, and Setup Manager Preferences
  • CPA or auditing background
  • Familiarity with WAWF and resolving DFAS payment issues
  • Experience using Deltek Costpoint for billing and project setup
  • Experience with system implementations or conversions

HYBRID WORK NOTICE:

This position is available for fully remote or hybrid work consideration at any of our division locations across the United States. Preference will be given to those near Albuquerque, NM or Raleigh, NC.

Company & Division Information

• The ARA Corporate office prides itself on providing excellent customer service and accounting services to a growing and ever‑changing organization. We strive to be flexible while ensuring that we comply with government, state, and contract regulations and requirements. We partner with our employees to help them in turn provide exceptional customer service to our customers.
• Applied Research Associates (ARA) is a 100% employee‑owned technology solutions company with more than 2,300 employee‑owners across the United States and Canada. Our dedicated team brings deep technical expertise and a passion for solving complex challenges – creating innovative solutions that protect our safety, security, and way of life. At ARA, every project is an opportunity to exceed expectations. We deliver solutions that not only meet mission objectives but unlock new possibilities for the future.

Learn more about who we are and what we do by going to: www.ara.com