FINANCE - CONTROLLER

Aero-Flite Inc.; Spokane (WA); On-site; USD 150,000 - 175,000; Full time

Job summary

Aero-Flite Inc. is seeking a Controller based in Spokane, WA to lead the Accounting and Finance functions.

The role reports to the President and supervises the Accounting Manager and Financial Analyst, with responsibility for budgeting, GAAP compliance, payroll, and tax filings. The Controller will oversee monthly close, financial reporting, and internal controls, while guiding process improvements and ERP system changes.

Qualifications

• Strong knowledge of GAAP and payroll regulations.
• Experience supervising accounting and finance staff.
• ERP system proficiency and financial process improvement.

Responsibilities

• Lead the accounting and finance team and mentor staff.
• Oversee monthly financial statements and GAAP compliance.
• Coordinate annual budgeting and variance analysis.
• Interface with external auditors and manage tax filings.

Skills

GAAP knowledge

Staff supervision

Payroll

Education

BA in Accounting

Tools

ERP system

Job description

8520 W Electric Ave, Spokane, WA 99224, USA

Job Description

Posted Monday, August 24, 2026 at 7:00 AM | Expires Saturday, September 12, 2026 at 6:59 AM

The mission of Aero-Flite is to provide exceptional firefighting aircraft and customer service in support of our ground firefighting partners. Our vision is to continually strive to improve our safety and service while offering greater value to our partner agencies.

Summary

The Controller is responsible for the Accounting and Finance functions. Direct supervisor to the Accounting Manager who has 4 direct reports in addition to the Financial Analyst. This includes hiring, training and mentoring the Accounting and Finance staff. Ensure compliance with GAAP, labor laws that impact payroll in addition to state and local tax laws. Coordinate, review and do analysis for the annual budget. This position reports to the President. The incumbent of this position will be based in Spokane, WA.

Essential Functions

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Leads, develops and mentors the accounting and finance team.
• Annual staff performance reviews for direct reports.
• Collaborate to reduce and remove bottlenecks by making process improvements to procedures and systems.
• Oversee monthly Financial Statement preparation and analysis in accordance with GAAP.
• Review capital requests and validate if available budget funding.
• Interface with external financial auditors and review data for the annual financial audit.
• Establish controls to maintain integrity within the systems and process through all aspects of Accounting and Finance.
• Facilitate changes to roles withing the ERP system and logons for new employees.
• Ensure compliance with all state and federal tax filings for payroll and corporate income taxes and facilitate tax filings with external tax preparer.
• Provide oversight to changes in payroll processes and controls and implementation of changes to systems or processes.
• Participate in review of job offers.
• Coordinate and oversee the annual wage and bonus allocations and payments.
• Participate as a Trustee for the 401k plan and oversee annual audits and preparation of the 5500.
• Participate as an Administrator for the credit card and reimbursement software when setup changes are needed.
• Manage the cash disbursement process and controls including wires and signing checks.
• Prepare travel and reimbursement policies and coordinate communication for policy changes.
• Facilitate and manage the annual budget preparation process data gathering and analysis
• Weekly cash management forecasting and reporting.
• Interface with external insurance brokers for automobile, property and insured worker’s compensation policy including facilitating data for annual workers compensation audit.
• Coordinate insurance claims.
• Participate in Operations, Safety, 401k Trustee and other management meetings.
• Review financial data for bids and proposals or other business projects.
• Collaborate with Corporate office regarding cash, financial reporting, budget preparation and other special requests.
• Participates as an integral member of the leadership team and provide financial leadership and support.
• Oversee rental car contract and damage claims.
• Administer paperwork for vehicle leases and renewals.
• Promote Aero-Flite's proactive safety culture.
• Other duties as assigned.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to work independently and prioritize responsibilities
• Proficient with Microsoft office including advanced Microsoft Excel skills
• Working knowledge of accounting GAAP and financial processes
• High analytical and problem-solving skills
• Ability to work with and maintain confidential information.
• Strong ERP, payroll and month end close experience

Supervisory Responsibility

This position supervises the Accounting and Finance departments.

This job operates in an office and hangar environment. This role routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, phones, photocopiers, filing cabinets and fax machines. The noise level in the work environment is usually at a typical office level and while in the hangar with frequent periods of moderately loud noises. Exposure to industrial chemical smells, fragrances, animals, etc.

Physical Demands

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. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to move, talk and hear. The employee is frequently required to stand; walk; use hands to finger, handle or feel; and reach with hands and arms. The employee is occasionally required to sit, climb, balance, stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl. The employee must frequently lift and move up to 10 pounds and occasionally lift and move objects up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus. Regular exposure to a hangar environment with walking/traversing hazards, uneven surfaces and stairs.

Job Abilities:

• Move, traverse - Must be able to move about inside office, hangar with frequent trip/fall and overhead hazards.
• Ascend/Descend, Work atop, Traverse - Occasionally ascends/descends ladders, platforms and work stands.
• Communicate, Detect, Converse with, Discern, Convey, Express oneself, Exchange information - Must be able to frequently communicate accurate information and a level of assertiveness to stop unsafe activities when recognized.
• Balancing – Must be able to manage equilibrium while traversing across office and hangar, ascending/descending ladders or stairs.

Position Type and Expected Hours of Work

This is a full-time position. Days and hours of work are typically Monday through Friday, 8:00 am to 5:00 pm but will vary based upon business needs. Frequent evening and weekend work may be required.

Travel

Occasional travel, primarily local during the business day. Occasional out-of-area or overnight travel may be expected. Local travel, and out-of-area or overnight travel may be expected for business and customer meetings usually within the CONUS.

Required Education and Experience

• BA in Accounting
• ERP Experience
• 10 years progressive accounting with 5 years in a supervisory or management role

Preferred Education and Experience

• CPA or Master's degree

Work Authorization/Security Clearance

Valid Driver License

SIDA Badge

Valid Passport

The pay range for this position in Washington state is $150,000-$175,000 annually. The annual rate is influenced by a variety of factors including, job-related knowledge, skills, experience, certifications, and geographical locations. Employees will be eligible to enroll in the company's medical/dental/vision insurance, flexible spending account, retirement plan with match contributions, company paid life & disability and financial wellness programs. Hired applicants will receive paid leave and may be eligible for bonuses. This information is provided per the WA State EPOA.

Aero-Flite is an EEO/Affirmative Action Employer and will makeall employment related decisions without regard toage, race, color, religion, marital status, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, disability orprotected veteran status.
Aero-Flite is a Federal Contractor, we adhere to the Federal Drug Free Workplace Act, to include testing for THC.

8520 W Electric Ave, Spokane, WA 99224, USA