Controller — Aerospace & Defense / Government Contracting New Cincinnati, OH

Quest Defense; Cincinnati (OH); Hybrid; USD 160,000 - 185,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive pay

401(k) with employer match

Certification assistance

Hybrid work arrangement

Job summary

Quest Defense Systems and Solutions is seeking a hands-on Controller with deep GovCon accounting expertise to build and maintain DCAA‑compliant environments for both classified and unclassified programs.

Based in Blue Ash, OH with hybrid work, the Controller will own indirect rates, ICP/ICS submissions, budgeting, and ERP configuration (Unanet). Collaboration with VP Finance will drive close, revenue recognition, and project accounting for DoD programs.

Qualifications

• 8–10+ years progressive accounting/finance in Government Contracting.
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Responsibilities

• Lead DCAA/DCMA audits and ensure FAR/DFARS/CAS compliance.

Skills

DCAA/DCMA compliance

GAAP accounting

GovCon accounting

DoD/FAR/DFARS knowledge

Audit coordination

Education

Bachelor's in Accounting/Finance

Tools

Unanet

Power BI

Job description

We’re looking for humble geniuses who believe engineering can turn the impossible into reality—and who are driven to design, build, and test solutions that matter for some of the world’s most trusted companies. If you want to do meaningful work with a diverse team that believes in shared wins, continuous learning, and engineering a brighter future, this is the place for you.

Quest Defense Systems and Solutions is hiring a hands‑onController with deep knowledge of accounting operations, government contract accounting, financial reporting, indirect rates, and DCAA/DCMA compliance. Requires proven success building and maintaining a DCAA‑compliant environment, supporting classified and unclassified contracts, developing indirect rate structures, budgets, and forecasts, preparing incurred cost submissions, and leading government audits.

Location: Hybrid in our Blue Ash, OH Office

Citizenship: Due to the nature of the work US Citizen Only

Key Responsibilities

• Government Compliance: Lead as primary point for DCAA/DCMA; maintain FAR/DFARS/CAS‑compliant policies, internal controls, and accounting system; respond to audits and drive corrective actions.
• Indirect Rates & Cost Accounting: Own fringe/overhead/G&A pools and allocation bases; set Provisional Billing Rates; monitor variances; develop forward pricing rates and proposals; reconcile billed vs. final rates.
• Incurred Cost / ICE: Prepare and submit annual ICP/ICS; produce ICE schedules with GL tie‑out and documentation; manage final rate negotiations, billing adjustments, and closeouts.
• ERP Ownership (Unanet): Configure/optimize for GovCon (projects/contracts, cost pools, rates, labor categories, timekeeping, billing, revenue recognition); integrate across accounting, contracts, PM, forecasting; govern workflows and role‑based access.
• Financial Accounting & Reporting: Run GL, AP/AR, billing (gov/commercial), payroll accounting, cash, fixed assets, project accounting; drive timely close; produce GAAP financials and management reports; ensure appropriate revenue recognition and reconciliations; coordinate external audits and tax.
• Contract & Program Financial Management: Ensure accurate project setup per contracts/CLINs/Tos/POs; monitor funding, LoF/LoC, burn rates, backlog, revenue/margin, ETC/EAC; optimize invoicing, support mods and closeouts.
• Budgeting, Forecasting & Resource Planning: Partner with VP Finance and Delivery to build budgets and forecasts; develop indirect expense budgets and rate forecasts; connect backlog/pipeline to staffing; track utilization and indirect staffing; run scenario models on mix, volume, and investments.
• Pricing & BD Support: Support proposal pricing with indirect rates and accounting inputs; prepare certified cost/pricing data when applicable; align pricing with accounting practices; support fact‑finding, negotiations, and audits.

Qualifications

• 8–10+ years progressive accounting/finance in Government Contracting.
• Controller-level experience within a U.S. Government contractor
• Bachelor's in Accounting/Finance (CPA strongly preferred).
• Unanet hands‑on design and implementation required (other GovCon ERPs valued).
• Aerospace & Defense/DoD/federal engineering services experience
• Advanced knowledge: FAR Part 31, DFARS, CAS applicability, DCAA audits, U.S. GAAP, government cost accounting.
• Contract types: T&M, FFP, IDIQ/Task Orders, and similar instruments. Cost Plus/Reimbursable is preferred
• U.S. citizenship and ability to obtain/maintain required clearance; experience with classified programs.

Preferred

• Scaled accounting infrastructure for a growing Defense contractor; mix of government and commercial revenue.
• Subsidiary/intercompany accounting; CAS‑covered environments and Disclosure Statements; M&A/ERP transformation.
• EVMS exposure; advanced Excel and financial modeling; familiarity with BI tools (e.g., Power BI) and Resource Planning tools.
• Hands‑on leader who translates complex GovCon requirements for program teams; builds scalable systems and controls; maintains integrity and confidentiality across classified/CUI environments; understands how accounting decisions affect compliance, rates, pricing, billing, profitability, and execution.

The QDSS Advantage

At QDSS, our advantage is purpose‑driven work, collaborative teams, and complex challenges that push boundaries and build lasting impact. You’ll grow your career while contributing to mission‑critical programs that demand excellence and shape the future.

What You’ll Find Here

• Work That Matters – Next‑generation, safety- and mission‑critical projects where your contributions have real‑world impact.
• Growth That’s Supported – Competitive compensation, employer‑matched 401(k), certification assistance, and clear opportunities for advancement.
• A Culture That Works – A flexible, collaborative, and people‑first environment where teamwork, innovation, and balance are valued.

Benefits Include

• Competitive pay, comprehensive medical/dental/life and disability coverage, 401(k) with employer match, professional development support, and a flexible, friendly workplace.

Full compensation package is based on candidate experience and certifications

Pay Ranges

$160,000 - $185,000 USD

At Quest Defense Systems and Solutions, we don’t just build technology — we engineer the future. From next‑generation aerospace solutions to cutting‑edge defense systems, we tackle the toughest, mission‑critical challenges that keep people safe and push the boundaries of innovation. This is where problem‑solvers, innovators, and visionary thinkers come together to shape the future. With over 25 years of aerospace and defense engineering expertise, our commitment to delivering high‑quality, transformative solutions sets us apart — not just as an industry leader, but as a driving force for impactful change. Together, we’re not just leading the industry — we’re revolutionizing it.

Quest Defense provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.

This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training.The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Voluntary Self-Identification

For government reporting purposes, we ask candidates to respond to the below self-identification survey.Completion of the form is entirely voluntary. Whatever your decision, it will not be considered in the hiringprocess or thereafter. Any information that you do provide will be recorded and maintained in aconfidential file.

As set forth in Quest Defense Systems & Solutions, Inc.’s Equal Employment Opportunity policy,we do not discriminate on the basis of any protected group status under any applicable law.

If you believe you belong to any of the categories of protected veterans listed below, please indicate by making the appropriate selection.As a government contractor subject to the Vietnam Era Veterans Readjustment Assistance Act (VEVRAA), we request this information in order to measurethe effectiveness of the outreach and positive recruitment efforts we undertake pursuant to VEVRAA. Classification of protected categoriesis as follows:

A "disabled veteran" is one of the following: a veteran of the U.S. military, ground, naval or air service who is entitled to compensation (or who but for the receipt of military retired pay would be entitled to compensation) under laws administered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs; or a person who was discharged or released from active duty because of a service‑connected disability.

A "recently separated veteran" means any veteran during the three‑year period beginning on the date of such veteran's discharge or release from active duty in the U.S. military, ground, naval, or air service.

An "active duty wartime or campaign badge veteran" means a veteran who served on active duty in the U.S. military, ground, naval or air service during a war, or in a campaign or expedition for which a campaign badge has been authorized under the laws administered by the Department of Defense.

An "Armed forces service medal veteran" means a veteran who, while serving on active duty in the U.S. military, ground, naval or air service, participated in a United States military operation for which an Armed Forces service medal was awarded pursuant to Executive Order 12985.