PE-Backed Controller: Build Ops, Accelerate Close, Scale

Society of Defense Financial Management; Reston, Northern (VA, KY); Hybrid; USD 180,000 - 260,000; Full time

Job summary

Society of Defense Financial Management in Reston, VA seeks a Controller / Director of Accounting with hands-on leadership to modernize accounting operations, accelerate close cycles, and build scalable financial infrastructure for rapid growth and potential exit. The role requires US citizenship and the ability to obtain a security clearance.

You will own US GAAP, ASC 606, internal controls, and liaison with auditors, while guiding PE-backed financial reporting to executives and lenders.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting or Finance required.
• CPA license required.
• 8+ years of progressive corporate accounting experience, with 3+ years in a senior management role.
• PE-backed company experience preferred.
• Defense contracting experience helpful but not required.
• Hands-on, builder mentality to establish clean processes.

Responsibilities

• Modernize, accelerate, and oversee all corporate accounting operations and close processes.
• Lead US GAAP, ASC 606, and complex transactions.
• Establish and maintain internal controls and SOPs for an agile PE-backed portfolio.
• Coordinate year-end audits with external auditors and ensure documentation.
• Deliver comprehensive financial packages to executives, PE sponsors, and lenders.
• Support liquidity management, working capital optimization, cash flow forecasting, and debt covenants.
• Mentor and scale the accounting organization and drive system improvements.
• Collaborate with IT to evaluate or migrate finance systems for scale.

Skills

PE experience

GAAP knowledge

Leadership

Close management

ASC 606

Financial planning

Education

Bachelor's degree in Accounting or Finance

CPA license

MBA / Master’s preferred

Job description

Society of Defense Financial Management in Reston, VA seeks a Controller / Director of Accounting with hands-on leadership to modernize accounting operations, accelerate close cycles, and build scalable financial infrastructure for rapid growth and potential exit. The role requires US citizenship and the ability to obtain a security clearance.

You will own US GAAP, ASC 606, internal controls, and liaison with auditors, while guiding PE-backed financial reporting to executives and lenders.