Senior Staff Accountant - Defense and Manufacturing

AMBAC International; Elgin (SC); On-site; USD 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

ESOP

Health, dental, and vision

Job summary

AMBAC International, a 100-year-old, employee-owned precision manufacturing company, is hiring a Senior Staff Accountant on-site in Elgin, SC. This controller-track role begins by partnering with the current Controller, with mentorship and growth toward full financial oversight.

You will own month-end close, support GAAP compliance, and translate shop-floor activity into actionable financial insight while developing the finance function for the next decade.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in accounting or finance.
• 4+ years of accounting experience, manufacturing strongly preferred.
• Strong grasp of GAAP and general ledger management.
• Comfortable in ERP systems; Excel proficiency well beyond basic formulas.
• Audit or compliance-focused experience.
• Accurate and efficient. Attention to detail that doesn’t slow you down.

Responsibilities

• Own month-end and year-end close.
• Prepare and record journal entries: accruals, prepaids, adjustments.
• Reconcile general ledger accounts and resolve discrepancies.
• Support AP, AR, and payroll operations.
• Handle inventory accounting, standard costing, and variance analysis.
• Ensure GAAP compliance and support audits.
• Prepare financial reports and variance analysis.
• Help maintain and improve internal controls.
• Translate shop-floor activity into financial insight for the operations team.
• Contribute to GGOB huddles: scoreboards and forecasts.

Skills

GAAP knowledge

ERP systems experience

Excel proficiency

Auditing/compliance mindset

Education

Bachelor's degree in accounting or finance

Tools

ERP systems

Job description

AMBAC INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION

Senior Staff Accountant, with a strong growth track

Full-Time / On-Site, Elgin SC | Relocation available for the right candidate

Who we are

AMBAC International is a 100-year-old, employee-owned precision manufacturing company. We’re best known for precision fuel injection systems for heavy-duty diesel engines.

The employee-owned part isn’t decoration. Our goal is that every person here owns a piece of what they build through our ESOP. Our financials aren’t locked in an executive’s drawer. They’re on the wall. We practice Great Game of Business: open books, shared scoreboards, and a team that understands how the company makes money. It’s different, in a good way.

If you’ve ever wanted your accounting work to actually matter to the people around you, this is that place.

The Role

We’re hiring a Staff Accountant to help run financial operations in a government contracting environment. This is a Controller-track role. We’re saying that out loud because we’re building the finance function AMBAC needs for the next decade, and we’d rather hire the right person now than backfill a seat later.

You’ll start by owning the fundamentals alongside our current Controller, who’ll be your mentor. You’ll also be expected to understand why the numbers matter, connect them to the business, and over time lead and teach the numbers to others.

Reports to: Controller initially, with a direct line to the President as you grow into the role.

What you’ll do

• Own month-end and year-end close
• Prepare and record journal entries: accruals, prepaids, adjustments
• Reconcile general ledger accounts and resolve discrepancies
• Support AP, AR, and payroll operations
• Handle inventory accounting, standard costing, and variance analysis
• Ensure GAAP compliance and support internal, external, and DCAA audits
• Prepare financial reports and partner on variance analysis
• Help maintain and improve internal controls
• Translate shop-floor activity into financial insight the operations team can actually use
• Contribute to our GGOB huddles: scoreboards, forecasts, and the weekly story the numbers tell

As you grow

• Lead budgeting and forecasting with department heads
• Develop and refine the financial scoreboards that run our GGOB system
• Document accounting policies and build stronger internal controls
• Supervise and develop junior accounting staff
• Move into full Controller responsibility: financial oversight, strategic analysis, and direct reporting to the President

What we’re looking for

Required

• Bachelor’s degree in accounting or finance
• 4+ years of accounting experience, manufacturing strongly preferred
• Strong grasp of GAAP and general ledger management
• Comfortable in ERP systems; Excel proficiency well beyond basic formulas
• Audit or compliance-focused experience
• Accurate and efficient. Attention to detail that doesn’t slow you down

Preferred

• Defense, aerospace, or government contracting experience
• Familiarity with OEM and/or FAR, CAS operations
• Job shop, contract manufacturing, or mixed-revenue environments
• Cost accounting, inventory valuation, or standard costing exposure
• Familiarity with Great Game of Business or open-book management

Who you are

• Intellectually curious about why the business works the way it does
• Comfortable asking questions and flagging problems early
• Willing to teach and develop the team around
• Aspire to grow into something bigger

Compensation and benefits

• Competitive salary, commensurate with experience (range shared in first conversation)
• ESOP and 401K
• Health, dental, and vision
• PTO and paid holidays
• Continuing education support
• Relocation assistance available for the right candidate

AMBAC International is an equal opportunity employer.