Telecom Assistant Controller

Alaska Communications; Oregon City (OR); On-site; USD 117,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

Alaska Communications is seeking a seasoned Telecom Assistant Controller to support the Controller in overseeing accounting operations, financial reporting, internal controls, regulatory compliance, and financial analysis for a telecommunications provider.

This role focuses on telecom-specific transactions and regulatory compliance, with leadership responsibilities guiding accounting staff and ensuring accurate capitalization of network assets across projects.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in accounting or finance; CPA or advanced degree preferred.
• Eight years of progressive accounting experience with at least three years in supervision.
• Telecommunications industry and SOX compliance experience preferred.

Responsibilities

• Oversee monthly, quarterly, and annual close processes.
• Review journal entries, reconciliations, and support schedules; prepare GAAP financial statements.
• Support external and regulatory audits and intercompany consolidations.
• Coordinate consolidation activities and intercompany accounting.
• Oversee accounting for telecom assets, IRUs, dark fibre, and network projects.

Skills

Analytical Skills

Business Leadership

Communication Skills

Financial Management

Management Skills

Detail Oriented

Education

Bachelor’s degree in accounting or finance (CPA or advanced degree preferred)

Tools

Workday

Excel

Access

Job description

• Carrier contracts

At Alaska Communications, we’re committed to putting our team first, always being customer focused, having a can-do attitude, owning our results and always acting with integrity. This is what we hire for and what our team members exhibit each day. Want to make an impact with us?

We are unable to support remote international applicants or routinely sponsor work visas.

The Compensation Range For This Job Is

$117,046.00 - $160,007.00

Position Summary

The Telecom Assistant Controller supports the Controller in overseeing accounting operations, financial reporting, internal controls, regulatory compliance, and financial analysis for a telecommunications organization. This role is responsible for ensuring accurate accounting for telecom-specific transactions, including network assets, IRUs, dark fiber arrangements, leased facilities, revenue recognition, capital projects, and federal or state grant programs. The position assists in maintaining compliance with U.S. GAAP, SOX requirements, tax regulations, and telecommunications reporting obligations.

Essential Functions

Reasonable Accommodations Statement

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. Reasonable Accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Essential Functions Statement(s)

Financial Reporting & Close Process

• Manage monthly, quarterly, and annual financial close activities.
• Review journal entries, account reconciliations, and support schedules.
• Assist in preparation of GAAP financial statements and management reporting packages.
• Support external audit and regulatory audit requirements.
• Coordinate consolidation activities and intercompany accounting.

Telecommunications Accounting

• Oversee accounting for:
• Fiber networks and telecommunications infrastructure.
• Indefeasible Rights of Use (IRUs).
• Dark fiber agreements and capacity swaps.
• Network construction and capital projects.
• Asset acquisitions and dispositions.
• Site leases and tower agreements.
• Ensure proper capitalization and depreciation of network assets.
• Support accounting analyses under ASC 606, ASC 842, ASC 805, ASC 360, and other applicable standards.

Internal Controls & SOX Compliance

• Assist with design, implementation, and monitoring of SOX controls.
• Maintain accounting policies and procedures.
• Coordinate management testing and remediation activities.
• Support risk assessments and control documentation.
• Ensure compliance with company accounting policies.

Revenue & Regulatory Support

• Review accounting for telecom services including:
• Enterprise services
• Wholesale services
• Broadband and transport services
• Carrier contracts
• Partner with operations and revenue assurance teams to ensure revenue accuracy.
• Support regulatory reporting requirements as applicable.

Budgeting & Financial Analysis

• Assist in annual budgeting and forecasting processes.
• Analyze financial results and identify variances.
• Provide financial support for strategic projects and capital investments.
• Develop management reporting and KPI dashboards.

Team Leadership

• Supervise accounting staff and senior accountants.
• Review workpapers and reconciliations.
• Provide coaching and professional development.
• Foster continuous process improvement initiatives

Position Qualifications

Competency Statement(s)

• Analytical Skills - Ability to use thinking and reasoning in gathering raw data and processing that data into a meaningful form.
• Business and Process Leadership - (Strong expertise in telco service provider / carrier process and procedures). A keen understanding of key telco processes (retail/sales/service, ordering/service delivery, network management, customer support) and the ability to map processes and understand inter-linkages to each other and to the systems that support the processes. Strong ability to coordinate with sales, service, engineering, field operations, finance and other departments in the company.
• Communication Skills - Successful candidate must have excellent oral and written communication skills. Position will require frequent preparation and delivery of detailed plans and proposals. Strong communication/interpersonal skills with emphasis on decision-making, conflict management, and team building and teamwork. Must have ability to develop work plans, work effectively as a member of a team, report on status of projects, and represent the team in meetings and/or with the client, and be able to coordinate issues identification and resolution between clients and the development team.
• Financial Management - Ability to work with complex ERP, billing, provisioning systems and switching records. Consistent budgetary adherence managing both capital and operating expense budget models.
• Management Skills - Ability to organize and direct oneself and effectively train and supervise others.
• Detail Oriented - Ability to pay attention to the minute details of a project or task while balancing multiple concurrent projects.

Skills & Abilities

Education: Bachelor’s degree in accounting, Finance, or a related field (CPA or advanced degree preferred).

Experience: Eight (8) years of progressive accounting experience. Three (3) years in a supervisory role. Telecommunications industry experience is strongly preferred. Experience with SOX compliance, external audits, and financial reporting.

Other Requirements

• Strong U.S. GAAP knowledge.
• Understanding of:
• ASC 606 Revenue Recognition
• ASC 842 Leases
• Fixed asset accounting
• Telecom network accounting
• ERP system experience (Workday)

Computer Skills: Demonstrated proficiency using Microsoft Office suite, including Word, Advanced Excel, Access, and Outlook.

We hope you’ll join us as we change lives through technology.