Director Finance - Controller

Kelly Professional & Industrial; Burlington (MA); On-site; USD 160,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

On-site

Job summary

Kelly Services is seeking an experienced Director of Finance to lead financial operations for government and national security contracts. You will build a Finance team, strengthen internal controls, ensure compliance, and provide strategic financial guidance to senior leadership.

The ideal candidate has 10+ years in accounting, leadership experience, and a background in government contracting or project-based accounting.

Qualifications

• Minimum 10 years of accounting operations experience with leadership.
• Experience in government contracting or project-based accounting.
• Strong knowledge of accounting principles, reporting, and internal controls.
• Ability to obtain a Secret security clearance.

Responsibilities

• Lead and develop the Finance and Accounting team with priorities and goals.
• Oversee AP/AR, billing, payroll, reconciliations, and monthly statements.
• Direct financial reporting, analyze results, and communicate findings to executives.
• Manage project accounting: revenue, cost tracking, funding, task orders, billing.
• Ensure government contract invoicing, funding updates, and closeouts.
• Coordinate government reporting, including DCAA audits.
• Establish accounting policies and internal controls.
• Oversee payroll administration and ESOP processes.
• Coordinate annual audits and benefit programs.
• Partner with senior leadership to improve financial processes and compliance.

Skills

Leadership

Financial leadership

GAAP knowledge

Analytical thinking

Excel proficiency

Communication

Security clearance

Education

Bachelor's in Accounting/Finance

Master's degree preferred

Tools

Unanet Enterprise

MS Office 365

ERP systems

Job description

Kelly Services is seeking an experienced Director of Finance to lead financial operations, accounting, reporting, and project finance for a growing organization supporting government and national security contracts. This leadership role is responsible for developing the Finance team, strengthening internal controls, ensuring compliance, and providing strategic financial guidance to senior leadership.

The ideal candidate brings extensive accounting experience, strong leadership skills, and a background in government contracting or project-based accounting.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and develop the Finance and Accounting team, establishing priorities, performance expectations, and departmental goals.
• Oversee accounting operations, including accounts payable, accounts receivable, billing, payroll, reconciliations, journal entries, and monthly financial statements.
• Direct financial reporting, analyze results and variances, and communicate key findings to senior management.
• Manage project accounting, including revenue and cost tracking, contract funding, task orders, billing, and financial performance reporting.
• Ensure accurate and timely government contract invoicing, contract modifications, funding updates, and contract closeouts.
• Coordinate government contract reporting, including GSA reporting, incurred cost submissions, and Defense Contract Audit Agency (DCAA) audits and inquiries.
• Establish and maintain effective accounting policies, procedures, internal controls, and audit-ready financial records.
• Oversee payroll administration, labor distribution, employee accounting records, benefits coordination, and Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) administration.
• Coordinate annual financial, retirement plan, and workers’ compensation audits.
• Partner with senior leadership, project managers, and Human Resources to support business decisions, improve financial processes, and maintain compliance.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 10 years of accounting operations experience, with demonstrated leadership and management capabilities.
• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field; a master’s degree is preferred.
• Strong knowledge of accounting principles, financial reporting, reconciliations, and internal controls.
• Experience managing multiple accounting functions and leading a team.
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, organizational, and project management skills.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to work independently and manage competing priorities.
• Advanced Microsoft Excel skills and proficiency with Microsoft Office 365.
• Ability to obtain a Secret security clearance.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with government contracting, Department of Defense (DoD) contracts, or other federal contracts.
• Familiarity with Unanet Enterprise or similar project accounting software.
• Experience with DCAA audits, incurred cost submissions, government contract billing, and compliance requirements.
• Experience administering payroll systems, employee benefits, and ESOP plans.
• Ability to handle confidential financial and employee information with discretion.

Additional Information

• Location: Milton, Massachusetts
• Work Arrangement: On-site
• Salary: $160,000–$180,000 annually
• Travel: Minimal