Controller

Aero Precision; Lakewood (WA); On-site; USD 125,000 - 140,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401(k) with 6% company match

3 weeks of paid time off

12 paid holidays

Medical, dental, and vision coverage (

Job summary

Aero Precision in Lakewood, WA is seeking a Controller to own manufacturing cost accounting and lead an accounting team across multiple locations. The role focuses on building and cleaning up processes, implementing controls, and supporting acquisitions and growth.

You will manage the monthly closes, budgeting, cash flow forecasting, and GAAP compliance, while leveraging SAP B1 and QuickBooks. This on-site position requires strong leadership and experience in a regulated manufacturing

Qualifications

• Manufacturing cost accounting experience within the past 5 years (standard costing, inventory valuation, variances, overhead allocation)
• 7+ years of progressive accounting experience, including 3+ years as a Controller or Assistant Controller
• Experience managing accounting staff across locations, including remote or out-of-state team members
• Experience building or rebuilding an accounting function in a startup, new entity, or cleanup situation
• Finance-side experience with at least one acquisition (purchase accounting, opening balance sheet, integration)
• Measurable results reducing manual work and shortening the close
• Practical use of AI or automation in accounting workflows
• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field

Responsibilities

• Build and clean up the accounting function
• Own manufacturing cost accounting
• Lead a distributed team
• Support acquisitions and growth
• Improve efficiency
• Plan and report

Skills

Manufacturing cost accounting

Leadership of distributed teams

GAAP knowledge

Automation in accounting workflows

Education

Bachelor's degree in Accounting/Finance

CPA CMA MBA (ideal)

Tools

SAP Business One

QuickBooks

Job description

Description

About the Role

The Controller owns accounting operations for a growing, multi-location manufacturing business and reports to the VP of Finance. This is a build role. Some processes, systems, and controls exist and need to be cleaned up; others do not exist yet and need to be created. The person in this seat has done this before in a manufacturing environment, has led accounting teams spread across locations and states, and has worked through an acquisition from the finance side.

Responsibilities

Build and clean up the accounting function

• Assess current processes, controls, and reporting, and set priorities for what to fix first
• Establish accounting policies, procedures, and internal controls where none exist and tighten them where they do
• Lead the monthly, quarterly, and year-end close, including reconciliations, accruals, and financial statements, and shorten the close calendar over time

Own manufacturing cost accounting

• Maintain standard and actual costing, inventory valuation, and variance analysis across production lines
• Review inventory counts, reserves, and adjustments, and work with operations to resolve discrepancies at the source
• Partner with plant and operations leaders to explain cost drivers and act on variances

Lead a distributed team

• Manage, train, and develop accounting staff across locations, including remote and out-of-state team members
• Set clear standards and accountability for a team that does not sit in one building

Support acquisitions and growth

• Lead finance work on acquisitions and integrations, including purchase accounting, opening balance sheets, and bringing new entities onto company systems and close processes
• Support system changes and conversions in SAP Business One and QuickBooks

Improve efficiency

• Identify and implement automation and AI-assisted workflows to reduce manual entry, reconciliation time, and reporting turnaround
• Improve data accuracy and reporting in SAP B1 and related tools

Plan and report

• Prepare budgets, forecasts, and management reporting at the company, department, and location level
• Maintain a rolling 13-week cash flow forecast
• Present results, risks, and trends to executive and operational leaders in plain terms
• Manage relationships with auditors, tax advisors, lenders, and insurance providers, and ensure GAAP, tax, audit, and lender compliance

Requirements

Qualified Candidates Will Have

• Manufacturing cost accounting experience within the past 5 years (standard costing, inventory valuation, variances, overhead allocation)
• 7+ years of progressive accounting experience, including 3+ years as a Controller or Assistant Controller
• Experience managing accounting staff across locations, including remote or out-of-state team members
• Experience building or rebuilding an accounting function in a startup, new entity, or cleanup situation
• Finance-side experience with at least one acquisition (purchase accounting, opening balance sheet, integration)
• Measurable results reducing manual work and shortening the close
• Practical use of AI or automation in accounting workflows
• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field

Ideal Candidates Will Also Have

• CPA, CMA, or MBA
• SAP Business One experience
• QuickBooks experience
• Experience in aerospace, defense, firearms, or other regulated manufacturing

Eligibility Requirements

• This position requires access to information subject to U.S. export control laws, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR). Applicants must be a U.S. person as defined by 22 C.F.R. § 120.62, which includes U.S. citizens, lawful permanent residents, and individuals granted asylum or refugee status.
• Because this position may involve access to firearms, ammunition, or controlled areas of a licensed firearms manufacturing facility, candidates must not be prohibited from possessing firearms or ammunition under federal law (18 U.S.C. § 922(g)) or Washington state law.
• Will work onsite in Lakewood, WA, with occasional travel to other company locations as needed.

Compensation and Benefits

• Base salary: $125,000 to $140,000 annually
• Annual bonus: target of 25% of base salary
• Maximum total target compensation: $175,000
• 401(k) with 6% company match
• 3 weeks of paid time off
• 12 paid holidays
• Medical, dental, and vision coverage (80% employer paid for employee and dependents)