Senior Accountant

Electra Aero; Manassas (VA); On-site; USD 100,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

Paid time off

Winter break

401(k) with vesting

Free on-site meals and parking

Job summary

Electra Aero is seeking a Senior Accountant to scale a high-performing accounting function in a fast-paced aerospace environment. The role owns core month-end close activities and is the primary owner of payroll accounting across a multi-state workforce, including Switzerland-based staff.

Beyond payroll, the role supports payables, expenses, invoicing, and reconciliations, ensuring accurate data and strong internal controls. Collaboration with People Operations and program teams is essential.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field.
• 8+ years of accounting experience with month-end close ownership.
• Direct experience processing or accounting for multi-state payroll.
• Strong knowledge of US GAAP and accounting fundamentals.
• Experience supporting audits in a highly controlled environment.
• Proficient in Excel and comfortable with ERP/ accounting software, AI tools.

Responsibilities

• Own payroll accounting end-to-end including journal entries and reconciliations.
• Ensure timesheet compliance and labor cost allocations per FAR/DCAA requirements.
• Support month-end close activities across payables, expenses, invoicing, and reconciliations.
• Maintain audit-ready documentation and strengthen internal controls.
• Coordinate with People Operations and program teams as the company scales.

Skills

Attention to detail

Cross-functional collaboration

Communication

Payroll knowledge

Education

Bachelor's degree in Accounting/Finance

Tools

Excel

ERP systems

Accounting software

Job description

About Electra

Air travel is about to become something more: more direct, more accessible, and more connected to the places where people live, work and want to be. Every day in the U.S., people make 35 million trips of 50–500 miles, stuck in traffic or routed through crowded hubs. Chances are, you've been one of them. At Electra, we're changing that with the EL9, a nine-passenger, hybrid-electric aircraft that takes off and lands in just 150 feet. Our Ultra Short technology opens up thousands of new places to fly, beyond conventional runways, congested airports and long drives. We're backed by Lockheed Martin, Honeywell and Safran. Operators worldwide have signed intent-to-purchase agreements for the first 2,200 aircraft we produce, and we're moving toward first test flights in 2027.

About Electra

Air travel is about to become something more: more direct, more accessible, and more connected to the places where people live, work and want to be. Every day in the U.S., people make 35 million trips of 50–500 miles, stuck in traffic or routed through crowded hubs. Chances are, you've been one of them. At Electra, we're changing that with the EL9, a nine-passenger, hybrid-electric aircraft that takes off and lands in just 150 feet. Our Ultra Short technology opens up thousands of new places to fly, beyond conventional runways, congested airports and long drives. We're backed by Lockheed Martin, Honeywell and Safran. Operators worldwide have signed intent-to-purchase agreements for the first 2,200 aircraft we produce, and we're moving toward first test flights in 2027.

Getting a new kind of aircraft airborne takes more than ambition. It takes our kind of bold: people who think big while working in the real world. Who move ideas into action and collaborate without silos. Who put people first and make room at the table for everyone. Who challenge one another without diminishing one another.

Sound like you? Then look beyond what you thought were your own limits, and help us take flight beyond runways.

The Role

Electra.aero is seeking a Senior Accountant to help scale a high-performing accounting function in a fast-paced aerospace environment. This role owns core month-end close activities and is the primary owner of payroll accounting — ensuring accurate labor cost capture, timesheet compliance, and payroll journal entry integrity across a multi-state, multi-entity workforce that includes domestic employees and Switzerland-based staff.

Beyond payroll, the Senior Accountant supports operational accounting across payables, employee expenses, invoicing, and reconciliations — helping ensure accurate financial data, strong internal controls, and audit-ready documentation. This role partners closely with People Operations, program teams, and the broader Finance function as the company scales toward certification and commercial operations.

Payroll Accounting — Primary Ownership

• Own payroll accounting end-to-end: review payroll registers, prepare and post payroll journal entries, and reconcile payroll-related balance sheet accounts (accrued wages, payroll tax liabilities, benefits payable, PTO liability)
• Ensure timesheet compliance, accurate allocation of labor costs across cost centers, government contracts, and indirect pools in compliance with FAR/DCAA labor charging requirements
• Reconcile timesheet data to payroll runs and resolve discrepancies between hours worked, and direct and indirect project charging.
• Coordinate with People Operations on payroll changes, new hires, terminations, and equity-related payroll events (stock vesting)
• Support international payroll coordination for Switzerland-based employees, including intercompany recharge entries and foreign currency considerations
• Maintain payroll-related audit documentation and support DCAA labor floor checks and incurred cost submissions
• Drive and facilitate the payroll application transition planned for 2027

Month-End Close & General Accounting

• Prepare and post journal entries for month-end close accurate and timely: accruals, prepaids, depreciation, and adjustments
• Perform monthly balance sheet reconciliations and resolve variances and reconciling items
• Lead accounts payable operations including invoice coding, matching, vendor maintenance, and payment preparation and posting
• Reconcile corporate card activity and employee expense reports. Review expense report.
• Perform invoicing, receipts posting and accounts receivable reconciliation for commercial and government contracts
• Maintain audit-ready support for transactions, reconciliations, and compliance needs
• Help improve accounting processes, documentation, increase application of AI into the process, and internal controls as the company scales
• Participate in ERP transition planned for 2027
• Other duties as assigned

What You Bring

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field
• 8+ years of accounting experience with month-end close ownership
• Direct experience processing or accounting for multi-state payroll in a complex environment
• Strong knowledge of payroll accounting mechanics: accruals, tax liabilities, benefits, PTO, and stock options
• Experience supporting audits or operating in a highly controlled environment
• Strong knowledge of accounting fundamentals and US GAAP
• Strong attention to detail with ability to prioritize and meet deadlines
• Proficient in Excel and comfortable in accounting systems, AI and ERP tools
• Strong communication skills and ability to partner cross-functionally with People Operations, program managers, and Finance leadership
• Candidates must have permanent work authorization in the United States. This role does not support F-1 OPT/CPT, H-1B sponsorship, or any other employment visa sponsorship now or in the future.

Bonus Points

• Experience in aerospace, manufacturing, hardware, or project-based environments
• Familiarity with government contracting concepts: compliant labor charging, cost segregation, FAR/DCAA audit expectations, and incurred cost submissions
• Experience with payroll systems such as iSolved or Dayforce and reconciling to an ERP (Unanet)
• Exposure to international payroll coordination and intercompany entries for foreign subsidiaries
• CPA license or active progress toward CPA
• Experience with Unanet, Costpoint, NetSuite, or similar government contracting ERP

This range reflects the anticipated hiring range across all eligible locations; actual compensation is determined based on your relevant experience, skills, and geographic location. Total compensation includes performance bonus and comprehensive benefits.

Compensation Range: $100,000 USD - $130,000 USD

What We Offer

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance; STD, LTD, and life insurance
• Generous PTO, sick leave, and company holidays
• Paid winter break
• 401(k) with immediate vesting
• Free catered lunches, coffee, snacks, and drinks at our Manassas headquarters
• Free on-site parking

Electra is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. This position may be subject to ITAR requirements.