Director of Finance - USA

Coulson Group of Companies; Thermal (CA); On-site; USD 180,000 - 280,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

100% company-paid health benefits

401(k) match up to 5%

Competitive compensation

Inclusive culture

Job summary

Coulson Aviation, part of the Coulson Group of Companies, seeks a Director of Finance for the USA location in Thermal, CA to lead financial planning, reporting, and strategic decision-making for the entity. This role will drive cost savings, monitor KPIs, and ensure regulatory compliance across multiple jurisdictions.

The successful candidate will have 10+ years of multinational finance leadership experience, strong team leadership, and a proven ability to translate data into strategic actions.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in finance, accounting, or related field; MBA or CPA preferred.
• 10+ years in progressive finance leadership, ideally in multinational/shared services.
• Ability to translate financial data into strategic decisions.
• Expertise in compliance, tax, and regulatory frameworks.
• Experience managing entity-level finance functions.
• Strong leadership, communication, and analytical skills.
• Experience managing and developing high-performing teams.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the primary financial advisor to entity leadership, delivering strategic, data-driven insights.
• Lead financial planning, forecasting, reporting, and deep-diving performance reviews to drive cost savings and margin improvement.
• Monitor daily financial health through dashboards, KPIs, and variance analysis.
• Oversee compliance with tax, audit, insurance, and regulatory requirements, including responding to authority inquiries.
• Approve purchase orders, vendor invoices, and expenses within budget controls.
• Analyze MRO and aircraft project performance against forecasts and budgets.
• Collaborate with operational leaders to align financial goals and resolve queries.
• Coordinate month-end closings, reconciliations, and reporting with Shared Services.
• Maintain accurate documentation and ensure timely regulatory filings.
• Ensure robust internal controls and drive continuous financial optimization.
• Partner with HR and payroll to validate payroll runs, manage compensation accuracy, and support workforce planning.
• Address employee finance-related inquiries with a focus on satisfaction.
• Act as liaison with Shared Services Center to ensure seamless financial operations and resolve service delivery issues.

Skills

Strategic financial leadership

Financial planning & forecasting

Regulatory compliance

Team leadership

Data-driven decision making

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree in finance or accounting

MBA or CPA preferred

Tools

ERP systems

Finance dashboards/BI tools

Job description

Make an Impact That Reaches the Skies

At Coulson Aviation, we don’t just fight fires—we protect lives, forests, and entire communities across the globe. From North America to Australia and South America, our fleet of large fixed-wing and rotary aircraft delivers rapid aerial fire suppression when it matters most.

As part of the Coulson Group of Companies, a family-owned organization with over 65 years of innovation, we’re expanding fast—and we’re looking for a strategic, hands‑on Director of Finance - USA to help guide that growth from our location in Thermal, CA.

Why You’ll Want to Be Here:

• Competitive compensation based on experience.
• Inclusive, respectful culture that values diversity.
• Comprehensive health benefits: 100% company‑paid medical, dental, and vision for individual employee.
• Retirement Security: up to 5% 401(k) match to help you build your future.
• A fast‑paced, rewarding environment where your work truly matters.

What You Bring:

• Bachelor’s degree in finance, accounting, or related field (MBA or CPA preferred).
• 10+ years in progressive finance leadership, ideally in multinational/shared services.
• Proven ability to translate financial data into strategic decisions.
• Expertise in compliance, tax, and regulatory frameworks.
• Demonstrated experience managing entity‑level finance functions.
• Strong leadership, communication, and analytical skills
• Experience managing and developing high‑performing teams

What You’ll Do:

• Serve as the primary financial advisor to entity leadership, delivering strategic, data‑driven insights
• Lead financial planning, forecasting, reporting, and deep‑diving performance reviews to drive cost savings and margin improvement
• Monitor daily financial health through dashboards, KPIs, and variance analysis
• Oversee compliance with tax, audit, insurance, and regulatory requirements, including responding to authority inquiries
• Approve purchase orders, vendor invoices, and expenses within budget controls
• Analyze MRO and aircraft project performance against forecasts and budgets
• Collaborate with operational leaders to align financial goals and resolve queries
• Coordinate month‑end closings, reconciliations, and reporting with Shared Services
• Maintain accurate documentation and ensure timely regulatory filings
• Ensure robust internal controls and drive continuous financial optimization
• Partner with HR and payroll to validate payroll runs, manage compensation accuracy, and support workforce planning
• Address employee finance‑related inquiries with a focus on satisfaction
• Act as liaison with Shared Services Center to ensure seamless financial operations and resolve service delivery issues

We are committed to providing accommodation for people with disabilities. If you require accommodation through any element of the job application process, please notify us and we will work with you to meet your needs.

Due to the volume of applications we receive, only those selected for an interview will be contacted. No phone calls please.