Controller

redcellpartners; McLean (VA); Hybrid; USD 150,000 - 230,000; Full time

Job summary

DEFCON AI, based in McLean, Virginia, seeks a Controller to own accounting, financial close, compliance, and reporting for a fast-growing defense technology company serving DoD and commercial customers.

This hands-on leadership role reports to the CFO, builds scalable accounting processes, leads a small team, and ensures audit-ready financials in a government contracting environment compatible with DCAA and DFARS requirements.

Qualifications

• Active CPA license required.
• 10+ years accounting with close ownership.
• Experience with U.S. government contracting requirements (FAR/DFARS, DCAA) and GAAP.
• Strong knowledge of ASC 606.
• Experience leading annual audits with external auditors.
• Bachelor's degree in Accounting or a closely related field.
• Active U.S. security clearance, or ability to obtain one; U.S. citizenship required.

Responsibilities

• Own Accounting and Financial Close under U.S. GAAP.
• Lead Government Contract Accounting and Compliance (DCAA/DCMA; indirect rates).
• Manage Audit, Tax, and Internal Controls.
• Support Planning, Systems, and Business Operations with FP&A partners.
• Build and lead the accounting team.

Skills

CPA license

Financial close

GAAP ASC 606

Government contracting

External audits

Leadership experience

Education

Bachelor's degree in Accounting or related field

Master's degree in Accounting (MAcc/MSA)

Job description

About Us

Red Cell Partners is an incubation firm building and investing in rapidly scalable technology-led companies that are bringing revolutionary advancements to market in three distinct practice areas: healthcare, cyber, and national security. United by a shared sense of duty and deep belief in the power of innovation, Red Cell is developing powerful tools and solutions to address our Nation's most pressing problems.

About DEFCON AI

RESILIENCE IN THE FACE OF DISRUPTION. DEFCON AI is an insights company that leverages artificial intelligence, mathematical optimization, data analytics, and software engineering for resilient optimization of complex systems. In today's dynamically changing world, Defcon AI's technology aligns outcomes with operational goals, better decision making, and empowers customers to anticipate assess, and mitigate the impacts of disruptions.

About the Role

We are seeking a Controller to own accounting, financial close, compliance, and reporting for a fast-growing defense technology company supporting Department of War and commercial customers.

This role will operate in a hybrid capacity from our McLean, Virginia office, with at least one day per week in the office, or more as business needs require. Some work may need to be performed in a cleared facility.

You will serve as the CFO's right hand on the books, ensuring an accurate monthly close, audit-ready financials, and a government contract accounting environment that stands up to DCAA and DCMA review.

This is a hands‑on leadership role. You will build scalable accounting processes, strengthen internal controls, and lead a small accounting team as DEFCON AI grows across defense and commercial markets.

Key Responsibilities

Own Accounting and Financial Close

• Own the monthly, quarterly, and year-end close under U.S. GAAP.
• Prepare financial statements, account reconciliations, and management reporting for the CFO, CEO, and Board of Directors.
• Manage revenue recognition under ASC 606 across firm-fixed-price, time-and-materials, cost-reimbursable, and commercial contracts.
• Oversee accounts payable, accounts receivable, payroll accounting, fixed assets, and equity and stock compensation accounting.

Lead Government Contract Accounting and Compliance

• Maintain a DCAA‑compliant accounting system, timekeeping process, and job‑cost structure.
• Develop and manage indirect rate structures, including fringe, overhead, and general and administrative rates, as well as provisional billing rates.
• Prepare incurred cost submissions, forward pricing support, and pricing inputs for proposals.
• Ensure compliance with FAR Part 31 cost principles, Cost Accounting Standards where applicable, and DFARS business system requirements.
• Serve as the primary contact for DCAA and DCMA audits and reviews.
• Support SBIR Phase III and other contract vehicles, including appropriate segregation of unallowable costs.

Manage Audit, Tax, and Internal Controls

• Lead the annual external financial statement audit from planning through final sign‑off, including PBC requests and supporting schedules.
• Serve as the primary day‑to‑day contact for external auditors throughout the year.
• Act as the company's technical accounting lead by researching complex transactions and preparing position memos related to ASC 606, ASC 718, ASC 842, debt, and equity financings.
• Coordinate with external tax advisors on federal and state filings.
• Design and maintain internal controls, accounting policies, and procedures appropriate for a growing company.

Support Planning, Systems, and Business Operations

• Partner with FP&A on budgets, forecasts, cash flow planning, and contract profitability analysis.
• Own the accounting and ERP systems and drive process automation as the company scales.
• Work closely with Contracts, Program Management, Human Resources, and Security teams to support business operations and compliance.

Build and Lead the Accounting Team

• Hire, develop, and manage the accounting team.
• Establish clear ownership, operating rhythms, and quality standards across the accounting function.

Required Qualifications

• Active CPA license.
• 10+ years of progressive accounting experience, including ownership of the financial close and management of an accounting team.
• Experience with or strong knowledge of U.S. government contracting requirements, including FAR, DFARS, DCAA audits, indirect rates, and incurred cost submissions.
• Strong technical accounting skills and command of U.S. GAAP, including ASC 606.
• Experience leading annual audits and working directly with external auditors.
• Bachelor's degree in Accounting or a closely related field.
• Active U.S. security clearance, or the ability to obtain and maintain one
• U.S. citizenship is required.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master's degree in Accounting, including an MAcc or MSA.
• Public accounting experience, ideally with audit or government contracting advisory exposure.
• Experience in a venture-backed or high-growth de