Senior Controller, VP of Accounting

Thomas Edwards Group; Dallas (TX); On-site; USD 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Job summary

Thomas Edwards Group seeks a Senior Controller & Vice President of Accounting to lead accounting operations, financial reporting, and internal controls across a multi-site aerospace and defense organization. You will drive ERP transformation and partner with the CFO to support growth and acquisitions.

The role requires deep U.S. GAAP knowledge, experience with government contracts, and a hands-on, scalable leadership approach to build a high-performance finance team.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in accounting or finance; CPA strongly preferred.
• 12+ years of progressive accounting and finance experience with leadership.
• Experience in large, complex organizations and small to mid-sized firms.
• Deep knowledge of U.S. GAAP and advanced accounting principles.
• Strong manufacturing cost accounting experience; government contracting is a plus.
• Proven ERP implementation or major system upgrade experience.

Responsibilities

• Lead accounting operations across multiple sites including GL, cost accounting, revenue recognition and financial reporting.
• Oversee monthly, quarterly and annual financial statements for accuracy and timeliness.
• Manage consolidations across locations and entities.
• Improve close timelines and reporting efficiency.
• Standardize policies and procedures across sites while respecting operational differences.
• Ensure compliance with U.S. GAAP and regulatory requirements including FAR and CAS.
• Lead internal and external audits, including DCAA where applicable.
• Maintain strong internal controls in line with SOX and best practices.
• Drive ERP selection, implementation, and optimization for a multi-entity environment.
• Enable real-time reporting, data standardization, and scalable financial processes.

Skills

Leadership

Cost accounting

GAAP expertise

Financial reporting

Cross-site operations

Financial planning & analysis

Education

Bachelor's degree in Accounting or Finance

CPA preferred

Tools

ERP systems (SAP/Oracle)

MS Excel advanced

Job description

Senior Controller & Vice President of Accounting

Position Overview

Our client is seeking a Senior Controller & Vice President of Accounting to serve as a key member of the executive leadership team. This individual will oversee accounting, financial reporting, compliance, and internal controls across a multi-site aerospace and defense organization.

The ideal candidate will be a highly technical, hands‑on accounting leader with experience in complex manufacturing environments, government contracting, and scalable financial operations.

This role will play a critical part in supporting continued growth, driving ERP transformation, strengthening financial infrastructure, and ensuring compliance with applicable regulatory standards, including Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR) and Cost Accounting Standards (CAS).

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and manage accounting operations, including general ledger, cost accounting, revenue recognition, and financial reporting across multiple sites.
• Oversee the preparation of monthly, quarterly, and annual financial statements, ensuring accuracy, timeliness, and transparency.
• Manage financial consolidations across multiple locations and legal entities.
• Improve financial close timelines and reporting efficiency.
• Standardize accounting policies and procedures across sites while accommodating operational differences.
• Ensure compliance with U.S. GAAP and applicable regulatory requirements, including FAR and CAS.
• Lead internal and external audit processes, including DCAA audits where applicable.
• Maintain and enhance internal controls in accordance with SOX, where applicable, and industry best practices.

Manufacturing & Government Contract Accounting

• Oversee advanced cost accounting systems, including standard costing, variance analysis, and project-based accounting.
• Ensure accurate cost allocations and compliance with government contracting requirements.
• Partner with program management and operations to monitor contract performance, margins, and risk.

ERP & Process Transformation

• Lead the selection, implementation, and optimization of ERP systems supporting a multi-entity, multi-site environment.
• Drive system integration and data standardization across business units.
• Ensure systems support real‑time reporting, scalability, and operational visibility.
• Develop and implement scalable financial processes to support continued growth and increasing operational complexity.

Leadership & Business Partnership

• Serve as a strategic partner to the CFO and executive leadership team, providing financial insights to support growth initiatives, acquisitions, and operational efficiency.
• Build, develop, and mentor a high‑performing and scalable finance and accounting team.
• Design organizational structures and workflows capable of supporting growth from a mid‑sized organization to a larger enterprise.
• Foster a culture of accountability, continuous improvement, and technical excellence.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field; CPA strongly preferred.
• 12+ years of progressive accounting and finance experience, including leadership experience in both:
• Large, complex organizations with $300M+ in revenue.
• Small to mid‑sized organizations with hands‑on operational exposure.
• Demonstrated experience in a multi‑site manufacturing environment, preferably within aerospace and defense.
• Deep knowledge of U.S. GAAP and advanced accounting principles.
• Strong manufacturing cost accounting experience.
• Proven experience leading ERP implementations or major system upgrades.
• Extensive experience with financial consolidations across multiple entities.
• Must be a U.S. Citizen.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR) and Cost Accounting Standards (CAS).
• Familiarity with DCAA audits and government contract compliance.
• Experience within private equity‑backed or high‑growth environments.