Assistant Controller

Riverside Research Institute; Fair Oaks (VA); On-site; USD 155,000 - 185,000; Full time

Job summary

Riverside Research Institute in Fairfax, VA seeks an Assistant Controller to oversee financial operations, ensuring FAR/CAS and DCAA compliance, managing the general ledger, and driving timely monthly, quarterly, and annual reporting for government contracts.

The ideal candidate will lead corporate accounting staff, collaborate with FP&A and Contracts teams, and advance processes and controls within a nonprofit defense research environment.

Qualifications

• US Citizenship is required.
• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or related discipline.
• 12+ years of progressive accounting experience; 4+ years in supervision in government contracting or defense research.
• Strong working knowledge of US GAAP, FAR, CAS, and DCAA compliance.

Responsibilities

• Lead monthly, quarterly, and year-end close processes per GAAP.
• Prepare reviews of balance sheets, journal entries, and financial statements.
• Oversee AP, AR, payroll, and fixed assets.
• Ensure revenue recognition aligns with government contract types (Cost-Plus, Time & Materials, Firm-Fixed-Price).
• Maintain internal controls and audit readiness.

Skills

Citizenship requirement

GAAP knowledge

Team leadership

Government contracting

Education

Bachelor's degree in Accounting/Finance

Tools

Deltek Costpoint

Unanet

Job description

Riverside Overview

Riverside Research is an independent National Security Nonprofit dedicated to research and development in the national interest. We provide high-end technical services, research and development, and prototype solutions to some of the country’s most challenging technical problems. All Riverside Research opportunities require U.S. Citizenship.

Position Overview

Riverside Research is seeking a dynamic, detail-oriented Assistant Controller to join our corporate office in Fairfax, VA. Reporting directly to the Corporate Controller, the Assistant Controller will play a vital role in overseeing financial operations, ensuring compliance with federal contracting standards, managing general ledger operations, and driving accurate monthly, quarterly, and annual financial reporting.

The ideal candidate brings strong expertise in government accounting standards (FAR/CAS), team leadership experience, and a passion for supporting a mission-driven defense research organization.

Responsibilities

Financial Reporting & General Ledger Operations

• Lead the monthly, quarterly, and year-end financial close processes to ensure timely and accurate reporting in accordance with GAAP.
• Prepare, review, and analyze balance sheet reconciliations, journal entries, and financial statements.
• Oversee daily accounting functions, including Accounts Payable, Accounts Receivable, Payroll, and Fixed Assets.
• Ensure proper revenue recognition aligned with government contract types (Cost-Plus, Time & Materials, Firm-Fixed-Price).
• Working knowledge and understanding of Cost Pools.

Compliance & Internal Controls

• Maintain and enforce strong internal controls to safeguard organizational assets and maintain financial audit readiness.
• Monitor compliance with Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR), Cost Accounting Standards (CAS), and Defense Contract Audit Agency (DCAA) requirements.
• Support internal and external audits, including DCAA, DCMA, OMB single audit, and annual financial statement audits.
• Manage the preparation of the annual Incurred Cost Submission
• Ensure payroll tax, sales tax, property tax compliance.
• Prepare and submit workers comp audits and DBA audits and review discrepancies
• Assist with the preparation of annual 990 tax return, related schedules and supporting documentation

Team Leadership & Operational Excellence

• Directly supervise and mentor corporate accounting staff, fostering professional development and team performance.
• Partner with FP&A and Contracts teams to maintain accurate project costing and overhead allocation models.
• Collaborate with HR on payroll related items.
• Drive continuous process improvements in financial systems, workflows, and automation to streamline corporate accounting operations.
• Support executive leadership and the Corporate Controller with ad-hoc reporting, financial analysis, and special projects.

Qualifications

• Citizenship: U.S. Citizenship is strictly required.
• Education: Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related discipline.
• Experience: 12+ years of progressive accounting experience, with at least 4+ years in a supervisory or management role within government contracting or defense research.
• Technical Knowledge: Strong working knowledge of US GAAP, FAR, CAS, and DCAA compliance requirements.
• Systems: Experience with ERP systems tailored for government contractors (e.g., Deltek Costpoint, Unanet, or similar).
• Intermediate to advance experience with Microsoft Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Outlook and Teams.
• Hands-on experience with Deltek Costpoint modules (General Ledger, Pools, AP, AR, Billing, Time & Expense).

Preferred Qualifications

• Active Certified Public Accountant (CPA) license or Certified Management Accountant (CMA) credential.
• Advanced degree (Master of Accountancy or MBA).
• Background in non-profit accounting (ASC 958) or federal research & development environments.
• Working knowledge of manufacturing accounting
• Experience with multi-company integration and accounting.

Global Comp

$155,000- $185,000 This represents the typical compensation range for this position based on experience, location and other factors.

Closing Statement

Riverside Research Institute is a not-for-profit, technology-oriented defense company, where service to our customers and support of our staff is our overall mission. Riverside is an affirmative action-equal opportunity employer and complies with all applicable federal, state, and local laws regarding recruitment and hiring. Riverside offers comprehensive compensation and benefit packages to our employees. Riverside bases its employment decisions solely on technical experience, qualifications and other job-related criteria related to our organizational purpose as a not-for-profit company, and without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex marital status, sexual orientation, national origin, physical or mental disability, veteran’s status or any other status legally protected by applicable federal, state, and local law.