Senior Controller

Blackwatch International; McLean (VA); Hybrid; USD 75,000 - 175,000; Full time

Job summary

Blackwatch International is seeking a Senior Controller to lead the Finance & Accounting team in McLean, VA. You will ensure GAAP compliance, accurate financial reporting for government contracts, and scalable processes to support growth in a hybrid work environment.

You will oversee monthly closes, budgeting, cash planning, and executive dashboards while partnering with leadership to improve profitability and operational efficiency in a fast-paced federal contracting business.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting or Finance is required.
• 10+ years of progressive accounting and finance experience.
• 5+ years of accounting leadership experience.
• 7+ years of government contracting accounting experience.
• Advanced experience with Unanet ERP and GAAP, FAR, CAS, DCAA.

Responsibilities

• Lead day-to-day accounting operations and monthly/quarterly/annual closes.
• Develop dashboards, KPIs, and management reporting for executives.
• Oversee government contract accounting, pricing, and proposals.
• Ensure GAAP compliance and internal control effectiveness.
• Collaborate with senior leadership on strategic growth initiatives.

Skills

Leadership

Financial analysis

Strategic thinking

Executive communication

GAAP knowledge

Education

Bachelor's degree in Accounting or Finance

Tools

Unanet ERP

Advanced Excel

Job description

Senior Controller

Full Time Management McLean, VA, US

Salary Range: $75,000.00 To $175,000.00 Annually

Blackwatch International Corporation (Blackwatch), a small business founded in 2010, is a small business dedicated to supporting Federal business and national security objectives. Based in McLean, VA, with offices in Sacramento, CA, Blackwatch invests in innovation and quality for our customers and staff, holding corporate-level ISO 9001:2015, ISO/IEC 27001:2013, and ISO/IEC 20000-1:2018 and CMMI Level 3 certifications. We are a leading provider of information technology (IT) infrastructure, cybersecurity, DevSecOps, data exploitation, and engineering services, specializing in large and complex projects. Blackwatch is dedicated to growth and offers a dynamic working environment with multiple opportunities for advancement.

Position Title: Senior Controller

Location: McLean, VA (Hybrid)

Employment Type: Full-Time; Exempt

Reports To: President/CEO

About Us

We are a rapidly growing government contractor supporting federal agencies across a diverse portfolio of contracts. Due to continued growth and new contract awards, we are seeking an experienced Senior Accountant to join our Finance & Accounting team.

Position Summary

The Senior Controller serves as the senior accounting leader for Blackwatch International and is responsible for the integrity of the Company's financial operations, accounting systems, government contract accounting, compliance, and financial reporting. This position oversees the day-to-day accounting function while ensuring compliance with GAAP, FAR, CAS, DCAA, and company policies. The Senior Controller partners with executive leadership to provide accurate financial information, improve operational efficiencies, and build scalable accounting processes that support continued growth.

• Partner with the President/CEO and executive leadership to support strategic business decisions and organizational growth.
• Provide executive leadership with financial analysis, trends, and recommendations to improve profitability and operational performance.
• Develop executive financial dashboards, key performance indicators (KPIs), and management reporting packages.
• Participate in strategic planning, annual business planning, and organizational growth initiatives.
• Support pricing strategies, proposal reviews, and financial analysis for new business opportunities.
• Evaluate financial risks and recommend mitigation strategies.
• Build scalable accounting and financial processes to support continued growth and future acquisitions.
• Lead and oversee all day-to-day accounting operations.
• Direct the monthly, quarterly, and annual financial close processes.
• Ensure timely and accurate preparation of monthly financial statements.
• Review and approve journal entries, account reconciliations, and supporting schedules.
• Maintain the integrity of the Company's general ledger.
• Develop, implement, and maintain accounting policies, procedures, and internal controls.
• Ensure compliance with GAAP and company accounting policies.
• Lead continuous process improvement initiatives and accounting system enhancements.

Government Contract Accounting & Compliance

• Lead all accounting activities supporting the Company's government contracts.
• Oversee indirect rate calculations, forecasting, monitoring, and variance analysis.
• Direct preparation of provisional billing rates, incurred cost submissions (ICE), annual indirect rate proposals, and other required government financial submissions.
• Partner with the Vice President of Contracts to ensure the financial components of new contract awards, modifications, funding changes, and project setup are accurately reflected within Unanet.
• Review and approve the accounting treatment of contracts to ensure proper revenue recognition, indirect cost allocation, labor distribution, and financial reporting.
• Support contract closeout activities from an accounting and financial reporting perspective.
• Lead the annual budgeting process.
• Develop rolling financial forecasts and cash flow projections.
• Analyze financial performance, identify trends, and explain significant variances.
• Monitor profitability by contract, customer, and business unit.
• Support executive decision-making through financial modeling and scenario analysis.
• Recommend strategies to improve financial performance and operational efficiency.

Treasury & Operational Finance

• Oversee cash management and liquidity planning.
• Monitor working capital and recommend strategies to improve cash utilization.
• Coordinate banking activities and maintain banking relationships.
• Oversee Accounts Payable, Accounts Receivable, payroll, and billing functions.
• Coordinate annual tax support, 1099 reporting, insurance renewals, and external financial reporting requirements.

Leadership & Organizational Development

• Lead, mentor, and develop the Accounting team.
• Establish departmental goals, performance expectations, and development plans.
• Build scalable accounting processes capable of supporting rapid organizational growth.
• Collaborate closely with Contracts, Human Resources, Operations, Business Development, and Program Management.
• Serve as the organization's senior accounting resource for financial reporting, compliance, and government contracting matters.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting or Finance required.
• 10+ years of progressive accounting and finance experience.
• 7+ years of government contracting accounting experience.
• 5+ years of accounting leadership experience.
• Advanced experience with Unanet ERP required.
• Extensive knowledge of GAAP, FAR, CAS, DCAA compliance, indirect rates, revenue recognition, and government contract accounting.
• Experience preparing and reviewing incurred cost submissions (ICE), provisional billing rates, and annual indirect rate proposals.
• Experience leading DCAA audits, financial statement audits, and external compliance reviews.
• Advanced Microsoft Excel skills, including financial modeling and data analysis.
• Strong leadership, analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent written, verbal, and executive-level communication skills.
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple priorities and lead teams in a fast-paced, high-growth environment.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience supporting a rapidly growing government contractor.
• Experience implementing accounting system enhancements, automation initiatives, or ERP improvements.
• Experience supporting mergers, acquisitions, or organizational integrations.
• Experience developing executive dashboards and financial KPIs.
• Experience supporting proposal pricing, contract startup, and strategic growth initiatives.
• Demonstrated success building high-performing accounting teams.

Equal Opportunity Employer

Blackwatch International Corporation is an Equal Opportunity Employer/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to protected characteristics. Blackwatch participates in E-Verify.