Controller

Professional Services; Lake Forest (IL); On-site; USD 150,000 - 210,000; Full time

Job summary

Professional Services seeks a seasoned Controller to lead the finance function for a high-growth aerospace&defense SaaS-focused business. You will own global close, consolidate multi-currency entities, and partner with auditors on readiness for potential IPO or liquidity events.

The role demands deep US GAAP knowledge, experience scaling teams, and delivering scalable processes to support growth from $60M to $150M+ ARR, including government contracts.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting or Finance with CPA required.
• 10-15+ years in progressive accounting roles, 4+ in controller/VP Finance.
• Experience scaling accounting operations in fast growth environments.
• Strong knowledge of US GAAP including ASC 606, ASC 350-40, ASC 718.
• Experience with multi-currency consolidation and government contracts.

Responsibilities

• Own monthly, quarterly, and annual close across global entities; compress cycles as business scales.
• Prepare and review consolidated financial statements under US GAAP; revenue recognition (ASC 606).
• Manage multi-currency consolidation and intercompany eliminations; coordinate external audits.
• Oversee GL, AP, AR, payroll, fixed assets, equity, and deferred revenue; scale processes.
• Lead RevRec analysis for SaaS and government programs; manage ASC 350-40 and ASC 718 costs.
• Design SOX-aligned controls; ensure DFARS, FAR, ITAR/EAR compliance; international tax filings.
• Oversee international entity setup, transfer pricing, and cross-border reporting.
• Drive ERP optimization (NetSuite) and automation; build scalable finance systems.

Skills

Strategic finance leadership

US GAAP expertise

Multi-entity accounting

Team leadership

Audit coordination

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Accounting or Finance

CPA certification

Tools

NetSuite

Job description

Position Summary

The Controller is a critical senior finance leader responsible for all accounting operations, financial reporting, and internal controls for a high-growth Aerospace & Defense SaaS company currently at $60M ARR and executing an aggressive growth plan toward $150M+ ARR over the next 3-5 years. This role partners directly with the CFO and executive team to build a world-class finance function capable of scaling 2.5x, ensuring compliance with US GAAP and international standards, and supporting transformative strategic initiatives including government contract expansion, international market entry, and potential M&A or capital markets activity.

Key Responsibilities

Financial Reporting & Close

• Own the monthly, quarterly, and annual close process across global entities, with a continuous mandate to compress cycle times as the business scales toward $150M+ ARR

• Prepare and review consolidated financial statements in accordance with US GAAP, including revenue recognition under ASC 606 for SaaS and government contracts

• Manage multi-currency consolidation and intercompany eliminations across international subsidiaries

• Partner with external auditors to lead the annual audit and review processes; build audit readiness infrastructure that can support a future IPO or liquidity event

Accounting Operations

• Oversee all accounting functions: GL, AP, AR, payroll, fixed assets, equity, and deferred revenue

• Build and maintain scalable processes and systems purpose-built to support 2.5x revenue growth, from $60M to $150M+ ARR, without proportional headcount increases

• Lead RevRec analysis for complex SaaS arrangements, multi-element contracts, and government/defense programs

• Manage capitalized software development costs (ASC 350-40) and stock-based compensation (ASC 718)

Internal Controls & Compliance

• Design, implement, and continuously mature a SOX-aligned internal control framework scaled for a company on a path to public-market readiness

• Ensure compliance with DFARS, FAR cost accounting standards, and government contracting requirements as the defense contract portfolio grows

• Oversee ITAR/EAR compliance as it relates to financial transactions and entity structure

• Maintain compliance with international tax treaties, VAT/GST filings, and transfer pricing documentation across an expanding global footprint

Global Operations & Subsidiary Management

• Manage accounting and reporting across multiple international entities (including UK, EU, and/or APAC), with new entity standup expected as the company expands into new markets

• Oversee statutory reporting, local GAAP compliance, and coordination with local finance teams and advisors

• Lead international expansion finance work streams: new entity setup, intercompany structuring, and transfer pricing policy

Systems & Process Improvement

• Drive optimization and integration of ERP systems (NetSuite preferred) and supporting tools (Stripe, Maxio/Chargebee, Salesforce CPQ, Carta) to create a finance tech stack that scales to $150M+

• Identify and execute automation opportunities to reduce close cycle time, improve reporting accuracy, and free the team for higher-value work

• Architect scalable accounting policies, procedures, and controls documentation in anticipation of rigorous investor or regulatory scrutiny

Strategic Finance Partnership

• Partner with FP&A on budget-to-actual analysis, board reporting, and investor-grade financial packages that reflect the complexity of a $60M-$150M growth story

• Play a leading finance role in M&A due diligence, integration planning, and post-merger accounting—activity that is expected to accelerate as the company scales

• Provide technical accounting guidance on new government contract structures, product lines, and evolving business model changes

• Build, develop, and scale a finance team from 4-8 accounting professionals globally, establishing career paths and succession depth appropriate for a company of this trajectory

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting or Finance; CPA required

• 10-15+ years of progressive accounting experience, with at least 4 years in a Controller or VP Finance/Accounting role

• Demonstrated experience scaling accounting operations through rapid, sustained revenue growth—ideally from $50M-$150M+ ARR—in a SaaS or technology company

• Strong US GAAP technical knowledge including ASC 606, ASC 350-40, ASC 718, and lease accounting (ASC 842)

• Experience managing global/multi-entity accounting with multi-currency consolidation

• Prior exposure to government/defense sector finance, including FAR/DFARS or government contract accounting

• Proficiency with ERP systems — NetSuite strongly preferred

• Proven ability to attract, develop, and retain high-performing finance teams in high-growth environments

Preferred Qualifications

• Big 4 or large regional public accounting experience

• Direct experience with FAR/DFARS, government contracting cost accounting standards (CAS), or DCAA audit readiness

• Familiarity with ITAR/EAR compliance requirements in a corporate finance context

• Experience supporting board reporting, investor relations, audit committee, or preparing for an IPO or capital raise

• Prior M&A due diligence, integration, and purchase accounting experience

• Experience building finance functions that have successfully scaled through a liquidity event (IPO, acquisition, or PE recapitalization)

• MBA or advanced degree a plus

Leadership & Competencies

Strategic Thinking

Connects accounting operations to the long-range plan; anticipates infrastructure needs well ahead of the growth curve toward $150M+

Technical Excellence

Deep GAAP expertise with the ability to research, document, and communicate complex accounting positions to auditors, board members, and investors

Operational Drive

Bias for process improvement, automation, and building scalable systems—relentless about doing more with less as the business scales

Global Fluency

Comfortable managing across time zones, currencies, and regulatory jurisdictions; experienced standing up new international entities

Team Leadership

Recruits, develops, mentors, and retains finance talent; builds bench strength and a culture of accountability as the team grows from 4 to 8+

Executive Presence

Communicates financial results, risks, and opportunities clearly to CFO, board, investors, and non-finance stakeholders with confidence and credibility

Scale Mindset

Has personally navigated a company through 2x+ revenue growth; understands what breaks, what to prioritize, and how to build for what’s next

What Success Looks Like

In the first 90 days, the Controller will have completed a comprehensive close cycle review, assessed the existing control environment, and delivered a multi-year roadmap for process, systems, and team improvements required to support the path to $150M+ ARR.

Within 6 months, the close cycle is accelerating, international reporting is fully consolidated and audit-ready, and the finance team is operating with clear ownership, accountability, and documented processes that don’t depend on any single individual.

By year one, the accounting function is a trusted, scalable platform — capable of supporting 2-3 additional international entities, a meaningful increase in government contract volume, and the financial due diligence demands of potential M&A or capital markets activity. The Controller is viewed by the CFO and executive team as an indispensable strategic partner, not just an accounting operator.