Controller

Ensign-Bickford Industries; Simsbury (CT); On-site; USD 140,000 - 200,000; Full time

Job summary

Ensign-Bickford Aerospace & Defense Company seeks a seasoned Controller to lead our core accounting function, drive close discipline, and shape a scalable organization for growth. You will manage every aspect of accounting operations and push continuous improvement across processes, systems, and talent within a dynamic manufacturing environment.

The role reports to the VP of Finance, collaborates with segment leaders, and will evolve with the company’s scale and complexity in 2026 and beyond.

Qualifications

• Must have solid knowledge of US GAAP and internal controls.
• Experience leading accounting operations and month-end close.
• Strong ability to drive process improvements and control discipline.

Responsibilities

• Lead general accounting, AP, AR, cash application, payroll, fixed assets, leases, inventory accounting, and other controlled balances.
• Own monthly close process and ensure timely, accurate financial results.
• Review and approve journal entries, reconciliations, and close deliverables with attention to quality and controls.
• Provide guidance on complex accounting issues including revenue recognition and intercompany activity.
• Partner with VP of Finance and business leaders to understand results and drive corrective actions.

Skills

US GAAP

Internal controls

Leadership

Process improvement

ERP systems

Excel

Education

Bachelor's degree in accounting

CPA or CMA preferred

Tools

ERP systems

Finance systems

Job description

This opportunity is located within our Ensign-Bickford Aerospace & Defense Company business, a global leader of mission-critical hardware and systems solutions including precision energetics systems and innovative explosive solutions.

Job Description

EBAD seeks an accomplished professional for the position of Controller, reporting to the VP of Finance. This leader will oversee the core accounting function, ensure strong financial controls and close discipline, develop talent, and help build a scalable accounting organization to support the continued growth of the business. The Controller will lead day-to-day accounting operations while also driving continuous improvement in processes, systems, and team capability. This role aligns with the future-state accounting organization in which the Controller serves as the senior accounting leader in 2026, with longer-term role growth tied to business scale and complexity.

Key Responsibilities

People Leader Talent Expectations

• Creating a safe, inclusive environment where people can do their best work
• Hiring, developing, and retaining strong talent, and addressing performance issues directly
• Coaching through regular 1:1s and clear feedback
• Setting expectations, aligning goals, and delivering strong performance management

People Leader EBOS Expectations

• Operating with a Kaizen mindset and a bias for action
• Driving a consistent operating cadence with clear accountability
• Using data, visual management, and problem solving to close gaps (SAGS: Standard, Actual, Gap, Scope)
• Leading and sustaining continuous improvement that delivers measurable results

Accounting Leadership and Close

• Lead the accounting function across general accounting, accounts payable, accounts receivable, cash application, payroll accounting, fixed assets, leases, inventory accounting support, and other controlled balances.
• Own the monthly close process to ensure accurate, complete, and timely financial results.
• Review and approve journal entries, account reconciliations, balance sheet reviews, and close deliverables with strong attention to quality, evidence, and control.
• Provide clear accounting guidance on complex or judgmental items, including revenue recognition, reserves, accruals, capitalization, intercompany activity, and other US GAAP matters.
• Partner with the VP of Finance, segment finance leaders, and business leaders to ensure accounting results are understood, issues are escalated quickly, and corrective actions are closed.

Controls, Compliance, and Audit

• Maintain and strengthen accounting controls, policies, procedures, and standard work across the function.
• Identify control gaps and process risks, and implement practical countermeasures to improve compliance, accuracy, and efficiency.
• Lead external audit support, including schedules, PBC coordination, issue resolution, management responses, and follow-up actions.
• Ensure taxes, filings, and other compliance‑related accounting activities are completed accurately and on time, as applicable.
• Maintain disciplined controls over cash, banking, fixed assets, inventory-related accounting, and other high‑risk balance sheet areas.

Acquisition Readiness and Integration

• Support potential acquisitions by partnering with Finance, Corporate, Legal, Tax, Treasury, HR, IT, and operating leaders on accounting due diligence, quality of earnings inputs, working capital review, opening balance sheet readiness, and integration planning.
• Lead or coordinate post‑close accounting integration activities, including close calendar alignment, chart of accounts mapping, accounting policy harmonization, control implementation, reporting requirements, bank and cash controls, and audit support.
• Coordinate technical accounting support for purchase accounting, including working with external advisors where needed on opening balance sheet, valuation, intangible assets, goodwill, inventory step‑up, deferred taxes, and related documentation.
• Build scalable acquisition integration playbooks and standard work so acquired businesses can be brought into EBAD accounting cadence without sacrificing control, speed, or financial statement quality.

Cash, Working Capital, and Transactional Oversight

• Review and approve cash disbursements, wires, and related banking activity in line with authorization controls.
• Oversee payables, and cash application processes with a focus on accuracy, timeliness, and working capital discipline.
• Support working capital monitoring and reporting, including visibility into AR, AP, and cash conversion drivers.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in accounting required; Finance degree considered with strong accounting experience.
• 7+ years of progressive accounting and/or finance experience, including leadership responsibility.
• Prior experience leading accounting operations and month‑end close in a manufacturing or project‑based environment is strongly preferred.
• CPA and/or CMA preferred.

Skills

• Strong knowledge of US GAAP, internal controls, and core accounting processes.
• Demonstrated experience leading, developing, and improving the performance of others.
• Proven ability to drive process improvement and strengthen operating discipline.
• Experience supporting ERP implementations, upgrades, or finance systems improvements preferred.
• Strong Excel and accounting systems capability.
• Strong problem‑solving, organizational, and follow‑through skills.
• Ability to communicate clearly and effectively across all levels of the organization.
• High attention to detail, accuracy, and ownership.
• Self‑starter who can work independently, make sound decisions, and manage multiple priorities in a dynamic environment.

Ensign-Bickford Aerospace & Defense Company is an Equal Opportunity Employer (EOE). Qualified applicants are considered for employment without regard to race, religion, color, sex, age, disability, sexual orientation, genetic information, national origin, or veteran status.