Aerospace Controller

Woodward, Inc.; Rockford (IL); Hybrid; USD 178,000 - 220,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401(k) match (4.5%)

Annual stock contribution (5%)

Tuition reimbursement and professional

12 paid holidays

Medical, dental, vision insurance

Job summary

Woodward Inc. in the United States is seeking an Aerospace Controller to lead the financial oversight of the Aerospace segment.

You will own the segment's financial statements, close processes, and accounting controls, partnering with leadership to safeguard assets and drive profitability. You will collaborate with operations, FP&A, tax, treasury, and audits to deliver accurate financial information and support growth.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Finance, Accounting, or related field.
• CPA/CMA/MBA or equivalent preferred.
• 10+ years of progressive accounting experience in manufacturing/aerospace or multi-site environment.

Responsibilities

• Lead all accounting activities for the aerospace segment under US GAAP and internal controls.
• Manage monthly, quarterly, and annual close processes with accuracy and timeliness.
• Ensure revenue recognition, inventory and cost accounting accuracy, reserves, and judgements.
• Partner with segment leadership to provide actionable financial insights and strategic guidance.
• Coordinate with corporate and external auditors for audit readiness and reporting.

Skills

Financial leadership

Financial analysis

Internal controls

Education

Bachelor's degree in Finance, Accounting, or related field

CPA, CMA, MBA or equivalent preferred

Tools

SAP S4 HANA

Job description

Woodward is committed to creating a great workplace for all team members. Our company and its members are committed to acting with integrity, being respectful and accountable to one another, and staying humble and driven, while maintaining the highest professional and ethical standards.

We are steadfastly committed to attracting the best talent across our communities, creating a rewarding workplace. Together we are fulfilling our purpose to design and deliver energy control solutions our partners count on to power a clean future.

Woodward supports our members' wellbeing and regularly benchmarks with other companies in our industry to offer an extensive Total Reward package for this position. Salary will be determined by the applicant's education, experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities, as well as internal equity and alignment with market data.

Aerospace Controller

Locations: Fort Collins, Colorado or Rockford, Illinois

The Aerospace Controller serves as the financial co-pilot and accounting leader for the Aerospace operating segment of Woodward. In this role, you will hold full ownership over the segment's financial statements, closing processes, and accounting controls. You will bridge the gap between technical accounting precision and strategic business partnership. By providing deep financial visibility, maintaining a rigorous control environment, and collaborating closely with segment leadership, you will safeguard company assets while identifying opportunities to optimize the accounting process and controls and contributing to the profitability and cash flow of the segment.

The Segment Controller serves as the senior finance and accounting leader for a business segment, providing financial oversight, accounting governance, reporting accuracy, internal control compliance, and business partnership. This role is responsible for ensuring the integrity of financial results, supporting strategic decision-making, driving operational performance, and leading all accounting and financial activities within the segment.

The Segment Controller partners closely with segment leadership, operations, corporate finance, FP&A, tax, treasury, and external auditors to deliver timely, accurate, and actionable financial information while supporting growth and profitability objectives

Estimated annual base pay: $178,000-$220,000

• All members included in annual cash bonus opportunity.
• 401(k) match (4.5%)
• Annual Woodward stock contribution (5%)
• Tuition reimbursement and Training/Professional Development opportunities for all members
• 12 paid holidays,
• Industry leading medical, dental, and vision Insurance upon date of hire
• Vacation / Sick Time / Vacation Buy-up / Short Term Disability / Bereavement leave.
• Paid parental leave.
• Adoption Assistance
• Employee Assistance Program, including mental health benefits.
• Member Life & AD&D / Long Term Disability / Member Optional Life
• Member referral bonus
• Spouse / Child Optional Life / Optional AD&D / Healthcare and Dependent Care Flexible Spending
• Voluntary benefits, including:
  • Whole Life/Home/Auto Insurance discounts e Insurance
  • Critical Illness Insurance / Legal Assistance / Military Leave

Key Responsibilities

Accounting & Financial Reporting

• Lead all accounting activities for the segment, ensuring compliance with U.S. GAAP, local GAAP, company policies, and internal controls.
• Manage monthly, quarterly, and annual close processes, including review of journal entries, account reconciliations, and financial statements.
• Ensure accurate revenue recognition, inventory accounting, cost accounting, reserves, accruals, and other key accounting judgments.
• Partner with the Aerospace Operations Finance team to review and analyze segment financial results, identify trends, and communicate performance drivers to leadership.
• Coordinate with corporate accounting to support consolidated financial reporting requirements and quarterly and annual SEC reporting requirements.
• Ensure all local, statutory, and tax requirements are accurately and timely complied with, including conformance with new guidance and regulations as required
• Partner with the Government Accounting team to ensure compliance with government accounting and reporting requirements, while optimizing Woodward's ability to recover costs from its government contracts.

Business Partnership

• Partner with the Aerospace Operations Finance team to act as cohesive finance partner to the Segment President and leadership team.
• Provide insight into business performance, profitability, working capital, cash flow, and operational metrics.
• Support strategic initiatives, capital investments, acquisitions, restructurings, and growth opportunities by providing guidance on potential accounting implications.
• Translate financial data into actionable recommendations for business leaders.

Digital Transformation & Process Optimization

• Evaluate, implement, and optimize new and existing technologies to support improved operational efficiency and process enhancements.
• Reduce operational friction by standardizing workflows and eliminating redundant, manual processes, and identifying use cases for AI process optimizations.
• Support the SAP S4 HANA implementations for the Aerospace segment locations.

Internal Controls and SOX Compliance

• Ensure compliance with SOX requirements and maintain a strong internal control environment.
• Lead remediation efforts related to control deficiencies and audit findings.
• Coordinate internal and external audits and serve as the primary segment contact.
• Ensure adherence to corporate accounting policies and regulatory requirements.
• Identify opportunities to streamline and enhance our existing control structure and documentation to reduce risk of control deficiencies, while optimizing the time spent on control documentation.

Leadership & Team Development

• Lead, mentor, and develop accounting and finance personnel within the segment.
• Foster a culture of accountability, continuous improvement, and operational excellence.
• Build organizational capabilities to support current and future business needs.
• Develop the leadership capabilities at all levels of the Aerospace accounting organization.

Qualifications

Education

• Bachelor's degree in Finance, Accounting, or related field required
• CPA, CMA, MBA, or equivalent advanced certification preferred

Preferred Additional Experience

• General: 10+ years of progressive accounting experience, with experience leading accounting functions within a manufacturing, industrial, aerospace, technology, or multi-site operating environment.
• Strong knowledge of U.S. GAAP, internal controls, and financial reporting.
• Experience working with executive leadership teams.
• Proven people leadership and team development experience.
• Experience supporting a publicly traded company.
• Technical Skills: Strong background in revenue accounting, cost accounting, and inventory accounting.
• Strong knowledge of enterprise ERP systems (specifically, SAP S4 HANA).

Skills and Competencies

• Strong leadership and team development skills
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, decision support, and business partnering skills
• Strong communication, collaboration, and organizational skills
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment
• Executive presence and business acumen

Working Conditions

• Hybrid or office-based role
• May require occasional travel to Woodward sites, plants, or project locations

Application window is anticipated to close 10 days from original posting date.

This information is provided in compliance with the Colorado Equal Pay for Equal Work Act and is the company's good faith and reasonable estimate of the compensation range and benefits offered for this position. The compensation offered to the successful applicant may vary based on factors including experience, skills, education, location, and other job-related reasons.

This position requires use of information which is subject to the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) and/or the Export Administration Regulations (EAR). All applicants must be U.S. Persons within the meaning of the ITAR and EAR, or eligible to obtain all required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State and/or the U.S. Department of Commerce. The ITAR defines a U.S. Person as a U.S. citizen or national, lawful permanent resident (i.e., 'Green Card holder'), or a protected person (e.g., asylee, or refugee).

Woodward is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate in hiring or employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including sexual orientation and gender identity), national origin, age, disability, protected veteran status, or any other category protected under federal, state, or local laws.