Controller

About the role

The Controller is a critical senior finance leader responsible for all accounting operations, financial reporting, and internal controls for a high-growth Aerospace & Defense SaaS company currently at $60M ARR and executing an aggressive growth plan toward $150M+ ARR over the next 3–5 years. This role partners directly with the CFO and executive team to build a world-class finance function capable of scaling 2.5x, ensuring compliance with US GAAP and international standards, and supporting transformative strategic initiatives including government contract expansion, international market entry, and potential M&A or capital markets activity.

Key Responsibilities

• Financial Reporting & Close

  • Own the monthly, quarterly, and annual close process across global entities, with a continuous mandate to compress cycle times as the business scales toward $150M+ ARR
  • Prepare and review consolidated financial statements in accordance with US GAAP, including revenue recognition under ASC 606 for SaaS and government contracts
  • Manage multi-currency consolidation and intercompany eliminations across international subsidiaries
  • Partner with external auditors to lead the annual audit and review processes; build audit readiness infrastructure that can support a future IPO or liquidity event

• Accounting Operations

  • Oversee all accounting functions: GL, AP, AR, payroll, fixed assets, equity, and deferred revenue
  • Build and maintain scalable processes and systems purpose-built to support 2.5x revenue growth, from $60M to $150M+ ARR, without proportional headcount increases
  • Lead RevRec analysis for complex SaaS arrangements, multi-element contracts, and government/defense programs
  • Manage capitalized software development costs (ASC 350-40) and stock-based compensation (ASC 718)

• Internal Controls & Compliance

  • Design, implement, and continuously mature a SOX-aligned internal control framework scaled for a company on a path to public-market readiness
  • Ensure compliance with DFARS, FAR cost accounting standards, and government contracting requirements as the defense contract portfolio grows
  • Oversee ITAR/EAR compliance as it relates to financial transactions and entity structure
  • Maintain compliance with international tax treaties, VAT/GST filings, and transfer pricing documentation across an expanding global footprint

• Global Operations & Subsidiary Management

  • Manage accounting and reporting across multiple international entities (including UK, EU, and/or APAC), with new entity standup expected as the company expands into new markets
  • Oversee statutory reporting, local GAAP compliance, and coordination with local finance teams and advisors
  • Lead international expansion finance work streams: new entity setup, intercompany structuring, and transfer pricing policy

• Systems & Process Improvement

  • Drive optimization and integration of ERP systems (NetSuite preferred) and supporting tools (Stripe, Maxio/Chargebee, Salesforce CPQ, Carta) to create a finance tech stack that scales to $150M+
  • Identify and execute automation opportunities to reduce close cycle time, improve reporting accuracy, and free the team for higher-value work
  • Architect scalable accounting policies, procedures, and controls documentation in anticipation of rigorous investor or regulatory scrutiny

• Strategic Finance Partnership

  • Partner with FP&A on budget-to-actual analysis, board reporting, and investor-grade financial packages that reflect the complexity of a $60M–$150M growth story
  • Play a leading finance role in M&A due diligence, integration planning, and post-merger accounting—activity that is expected to accelerate as the company scales
  • Provide technical accounting guidance on new government contract structures, product lines, and evolving business model changes
  • Build, develop, and scale a finance team from 4–8 accounting professionals globally, establishing career paths and succession depth appropriate for a company of this trajectory

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting or Finance; CPA required
• 10–15+ years of progressive accounting experience, with at least 4 years in a Controller or VP Finance/Accounting role
• Demonstrated experience scaling accounting operations through rapid, sustained revenue growth—ideally from $50M–$150M+ ARR—in a SaaS or technology company
• Strong US GAAP technical knowledge including ASC 606, ASC 350-40, ASC 718, and lease accounting (ASC 842)
• Experience managing global/multi-entity accounting with multi-currency consolidation
• Prior exposure to government/defense sector finance, including FAR/DFARS or government contract accounting
• Proficiency with ERP systems — NetSuite strongly preferred
• Proven ability to attract, develop, and retain high-performing finance teams in high-growth environments

Preferred Qualifications

• Big 4 or large regional public accounting experience
• Direct experience with FAR/DFARS, government contracting cost accounting standards (CAS), or DCAA audit readiness
• Familiarity with ITAR/EAR compliance requirements in a corporate finance context
• Experience supporting board reporting, investor relations, audit committee, or preparing for an IPO or capital raise
• Prior M&A due diligence, integration, and purchase accounting experience
• Experience building finance functions that have successfully scaled through a liquidity event (IPO, acquisition, or PE recapitalization)
• MBA or advanced degree a plus

Leadership & Competencies

• Strategic Thinking
• Technical Excellence
• Operational Drive
• Global Fluency
• Team Leadership
• Executive Presence
• Scale Mindset

What Success Looks Like

In the first 90 days, the Controller will have completed a comprehensive close cycle review, assessed the existing control environment, and delivered a multi-year roadmap for process, systems, and team improvements required to support the path to $150M+ ARR.

Within 6 months, the close cycle is accelerating, international reporting is fully consolidated and audit-ready, and the finance team is operating with clear ownership, accountability, and documented processes that don’t depend on any single individual.

By year one, the accounting function is a trusted, scalable platform — capable of supporting 2–3 additional international entities, a meaningful increase in government contract volume, and the financial due diligence demands of potential M&A or capital markets activity. The Controller is viewed by the CFO and executive team as an indispensable strategic partner, not just an accounting operator.