Controller

Conexus; Burbank (CA); On-site; USD 140,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

Conexus, a leading aerospace components manufacturer, seeks a hands-on Controller to lead the accounting team and act as a financial partner to operations leadership in Burbank. The role spans accounting close, cost accounting, FP&A, and operational finance with a focus on in-the-weeds business partnering.

You will collaborate with Operations to drive KPIs, budgeting, and financial performance while ensuring compliance with GAAP/IFRS and statutory reporting.

Qualifications

• Aerospace/manufacturing experience required.
• Strong cost accounting background including inventory and standard costing.
• Experience leading or owning a month-end close.
• Understanding of budgeting, forecasting, and financial reporting.
• Ability to partner with Operations and senior leadership on KPIs and financial performance.
• Solid GAAP/IFRS knowledge.

Responsibilities

• Lead the Finance & Accounting team and oversee day-to-day accounting operations.
• Own the month-end close process and ensure timely, accurate financial reporting.
• Prepare and analyze financial results, forecasts, budgets, and business performance.
• Partner with Operations on job costing, KPIs, and financial performance.
• Lead annual budgeting and forecasting processes.
• Oversee inventory accounting and annual physical inventory.
• Manage capitalization, valuation, depreciation, and capex for PP&E.
• Maintain internal controls, policies, and procedures.
• Support external audit readiness and regulatory reporting.

Skills

Aerospace manufacturing

Cost accounting

Month-end close

Budgeting & forecasting

KPIs & financial performance

GAAP/IFRS

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in Accounting/Finance or related field

Tools

Infor

Job description

Our client is an established aerospace manufacturing company and part of a global engineering organization with operations across 13 countries. The business designs and manufactures highly engineered components and systems for the aerospace, defense, and other mission-critical industries.

The Burbank operation is a vertically integrated manufacturing environment with significant production capabilities and a large employee base. The company is entering an exciting period of continued investment and operational growth while maintaining the stability and resources of a global parent organization.

About the Opportunity

This is a highly hands‑on Controller role with broad responsibility across Accounting, Cost Accounting, Operations Finance, and FP&A. The Controller will lead the accounting team while serving as a key financial partner to the operational leadership team.

The role is roughly divided across three core areas:

• Accounting & Close: Lead the month‑end close, financial reporting, reconciliations, controls, and accounting team.
• Cost Accounting / Operations Finance: Partner closely with Operations and the General Manager on job costing, manufacturing KPIs, inventory, standard costing, and operational performance.
• FP&A: Own budgeting, forecasting, variance analysis, capital budgeting, and reporting to the international parent company.

This is an ideal opportunity for someone who enjoys being in the weeds with the business, rather than operating solely as a corporate accounting leader.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and manage the Finance & Accounting team and oversee day‑to‑day accounting operations.
• Own the month‑end close process and ensure timely and accurate financial reporting.
• Prepare and analyze financial results, forecasts, budgets, and business performance.
• Partner with Operations and business leadership on job costing, operational KPIs, and financial performance.
• Lead annual budgeting and forecasting processes.
• Analyze budget‑to‑actual and operational variances and communicate key drivers to leadership.
• Oversee inventory accounting and lead the annual physical inventory process.
• Ensure proper accounting for fixed assets, including capitalization, valuation, and depreciation.
• Manage the company's capital budget for PP&E.
• Maintain strong internal controls, accounting policies, and procedures.
• Oversee balance sheet reconciliations and ensure timely resolution of variances.
• Provide financial reporting and analysis to the company's international corporate parent.
• Prepare required regulatory and corporate reporting, including sales & use tax and other financial attestations.
• Support audit readiness and ensure accounting practices comply with applicable GAAP/IFRS requirements.

Must Haves

• Aerospace and/or manufacturing experience is required.
• Strong cost accounting background, including inventory and standard costing.
• Experience leading or owning a month‑end close.
• Strong understanding of budgeting, forecasting, and financial reporting.
• Ability to partner directly with Operations and senior business leaders on KPIs and financial performance.
• Strong GAAP/IFRS knowledge.Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field.
• Approximately 8+ years of progressive accounting/finance experience.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills with the ability to work effectively across all levels of the organization.

Nice to Haves

• Aerospace or defense industry experience.
• Experience in a highly engineered or vertically integrated manufacturing environment.
• Experience reporting to an international parent company.
• Experience with Infor or another manufacturing ERP.
• Experience managing accounting teams in a plant/manufacturing environment.

Systems

Infor – the company is currently operating on an older version and is planning an upgrade to a newer version.

Team Structure

The Controller will manage an Accounting Manager and oversee a total Finance & Accounting team of approximately six, including accounting, job costing, AP, payroll, and temporary support.

Why Consider This Opportunity?

• Broad Controller‑level ownership across Accounting, Cost Accounting, FP&A, and Operations Finance.
• Significant visibility with both the local leadership team and international corporate organization.
• Opportunity to work directly with Operations and influence manufacturing performance.
• Stable, established aerospace business backed by a global organization.
• Flexible start/end times despite the 5‑day onsite schedule.
• Strong opportunity for someone who enjoys a hands‑on, operationally focused Controller role.