Job Description

The Controller is responsible for leading all accounting and financial activities for a small aerospace manufacturing facility. This includes cost accounting, contract accounting, inventory control, financial reporting, and regulatory compliance (e.g., FAR, DFARS, and DCAA requirements where applicable). The role partners closely with plant leadership to ensure accurate product costing, compliance with aerospace standards, and strong financial performance in a highly regulated environment.

Key Responsibilities

Financial Management & Reporting

• Prepare monthly, quarterly, and annual financial statements in compliance with GAAP.

• Manage and streamline month-end close for a small, lean finance team.

• Maintain the general ledger, chart of accounts, and financial controls

• Analyze results and explain variances vs. budget, forecast, and prior periods

• Analyze profitability by program, contract, or product line.

• Provide financial insights to plant leadership to support decision-making.

Cost Accounting

• Maintain standard costing systems tailored to aerospace manufacturing.

• Analyze labor, material, and overhead variances and drive corrective actions.

• Provide margin and profitability analysis to support pricing decisions

• Partner with operations to understand production cost drivers

• Identify cost reduction and efficiency opportunities

Inventory & Production Accounting

• Oversee accounting for raw materials, WIP, and finished goods with high traceability requirements.

• Ensure accurate inventory valuation and compliance with aerospace quality standards.

• Optimize inventory levels with operations and purchasing

• Manage cycle counts and physical inventory processes.

Operations & Plant Support

• Act as a key business partner to plant manager and operations team.

• Support pricing, quoting, and margin analysis for aerospace contracts.

• Assist with capital investment analysis for machinery and tooling.

Internal Controls & Compliance

• Establish and maintain strong internal controls over financial and operational processes.

• Ensure compliance with aerospace industry standards and customer requirements.

• Coordinate financial audits and customer/government audits.

• Ensure documentation meets strict audit and traceability standards.

Cash Flow & Working Capital Management

• Monitor and forecast cash flow

• Oversee accounts receivable and accounts payable functions

• Support banking and lender relationships

Budgeting & Forecasting

• Lead budgeting and forecasting for a small plant environment.

• Develop cost estimates and forecasts aligned to production schedules.

• Provide variance analysis and recommend corrective actions.

Systems & Process Improvement

• Leverage ERP systems to support manufacturing and compliance needs.

• Drive improvements in financial processes with limited resources.

• Support implementation of automation and digital reporting tools where feasible.

Leadership & Collaboration

• Lead a small accounting team (or act as a hands-on individual contributor in lean environments).

• Collaborate cross-functionally with quality, engineering, supply chain, and operations.

• Communicate financial insights clearly to non-financial stakeholders

• Promote a culture of accountability, compliance, and continuous improvement.

Requirements

Education & Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field.

• CPA, CMA, or similar certification preferred.

• 5+ years of progressive accounting experience, with aerospace or defense manufacturing preferred.

Technical Skills

• Strong knowledge of GAAP and cost accounting.

• Advanced Excel and solid data analysis capabilities.

• Hands-on, self-starter with ability to wear multiple hats.

• Strong attention to detail and compliance discipline.

• Ability to translate financial data into operational actions.

• Effective communication across technical and operational teams.

• Continuous improvement mindset in a regulated environment.