Assistant Controller

Gulf Copper; Galveston (TX); On-site; USD 80,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401k Retirement Plan

Health & Dental Plan

Employee Assistance Program

Job summary

Gulf Copper in Galveston, Texas is looking for an Assistant Controller to manage daily accounting functions and ensure financial compliance in a government contracting environment.

The ideal candidate will have a Bachelor's degree in Accounting or Finance, significant supervisory experience, and advanced skills in Microsoft Office. Responsibilities include leading financial close processes and ensuring compliance with federal regulations.

Benefits include a 401k plan, health/dental insurance, and vacation pay.

Qualifications

• CPA, CMA, or MBA heavily preferred.
• 5-7 years of progressive experience with project controls supervisory role.
• Ability to obtain a government security clearance if required.

Responsibilities

• Manage day-to-day accounting functions and financial compliance.
• Lead monthly and annual financial statement close processes.
• Maintain auditable documentation for government audits.

Skills

Financial analysis

Compliance reporting

Cash flow management

Microsoft Office Suite proficiency

Education

Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or Business Administration

Tools

SAP

Oracle

Job description

Assistant Controller

Company Overview

Gulf Copper LLC, a subsidiary of Davie Defense, is a leading Marine Repair and New Construction company based in Galveston, Texas, with more than 75 years of ship repair and fabrication experience on the Gulf Coast. Gulf Copper’s primary business is the repair and refurbishment of marine vessels, ship construction, and fabrication for transportation, government, and oil and gas markets.

Benefits

• 401k Retirement Plan
• Section 125 Plan (Pre-Tax Health/Dental Insurance Premium Deduction)
• Group Health & Dental Plan
• Short & Long Term Disability Insurance
• Life & Voluntary Life Insurance
• Holiday & Vacation Pay
• Employee Assistance Program

Job Summary

The Assistant Controller is responsible for managing the day-to-day accounting functions and driving financial compliance within a complex government contracting and public sector environment. Liaison between project management and finance, producing accurate financial analysis, forecasting, and compliance reporting required by government regulations. For contracts that are not exempt from Cost Accounting Standards ("CAS"), ensure that all financial records incurred cost submissions and labor distributions strictly adhere to CAS standards and FAR guidelines.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Other duties may be assigned.

• Lead the monthly, quarterly, and annual financial statement close processes.
• Prepare and review complex balance sheet reconciliations, journal entries, and financial statements.
• Supporting the preparation of compliance reports and audits associated with U.S. and state government contracts and or loans.
• Maintain auditable documentation and act as a primary point of contact during DCAA/DCMA or external grant/government audits.
• Oversee capital project drawdowns, treasury operations, and grant fund reporting. Track funding availability, monitor expenditures against contract funding limitations, and initiate funding requests. Create and supervise the development, approval, and issuance of client and internal status reports that proactively support, monitor, and communicate budget, actual status, and forecast costs, labor hours and quantities for your assigned project. Ensure recommendations are provided in conjunction with these reports to provide corrective actions for implementation.
• Define and advise your superiors and project team on specific actions to effectively manage cash flow by working with billing departments on AR, subcontractor labor funding, and ensure compliance with FAR/DFARS, and Cost Accounting Standards regulations.
• Prepare and review earned value calculations for assigned contracts. Communicate with Project Management about risks identified through earned value analysis.
• Prepare and update cash flow forecasts for assigned contract.
• Ensure the timely assessment of all change management processes, both internal and external, and ensure the required reports, documentation, and tracking have been completed as per the defined process.
• Ensure the timely preparation and accuracy of project invoice together with the Finance Controller. Work with client personnel to upload and monitor progress of invoices in the relevant portals.

Required Education & Experience

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or Business Administration. CPA, CMA, or MBA heavily preferred.
• Understanding of Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR), Cost Accounting Standards (CAS), and Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP), International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS), a plus but not required.
• Five to seven (5–7) years of progressive experience, including at least three (3) years of supervisory experience and five (5) years in a project controls supervisory role. Shipyard experience preferred.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (advanced Excel skills- including use of pivot tables, formulas, and import/export features) and experience with financial management systems (e.g. SAP, Oracle), project management techniques (planning, budget control, etc.)
• Ability to prioritize assignments, deal with interruptions, and meet deadlines in a fast‑paced environment while producing high‑quality work.
• Ability to obtain a government security clearance (if required).

Special Skills

• ERP Expertise a plus: Power‑user proficiency in compliant accounting architecture like Deltek Costpoint, Unanet, or JAMIS.
• Financial Modeling: Building predictive rolling forecasts, forward pricing rate proposals (FPRP), and labor utilization models.
• Cross‑Functional Translation: Translating complex financial compliance and budget variances into plain language for non‑financial Program Managers.
• Team Development: Training and mentoring junior staff on compliant timekeeping, billing, and standard ledger reconciliations.

Necessary Equipment Operation

1. Office equipment, including telephone, scanner, computer, printer.

* An Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, or protected veteran status and will not be discriminated against on the basis of disability.

Equal Employment Opportunity Posters

If you’d like to view a copy of the company’s affirmative action plan or policy statement, please email: [e-mail]. If you have a disability and you believe you need a reasonable accommodation in order to search for a job opening or to submit an online application, please e‑mail: [e-mail].