Corporate Controller

Our client is building the leading Western aerial robotics platform by aggregating best in class, dual use drone and autonomy companies across defense and industrial markets into one integrated, AI native enterprise.

They are seeking a Corporate Controller, which will be remote to start and eventually have an office in Fort Lauderdale, FL. They are acquiring multiple operating businesses across the US and Europe, standing up a shared corporate platform, and preparing for a public offering in future. The company is led by a senior team with deep industrial, defense, and M&A backgrounds.

THE ROLE

This is a founding finance leadership role and a very hands on one. The Corporate Controller will build the accounting function from the ground up: take over the books from our outsourced accounting provider, implement NetSuite as the corporate system of record, design a chart of accounts and policy framework that meets both US GAAP and US Government cost accounting requirements, and bring each acquisition onto a common close and reporting process.

There is no existing playbook to inherit. The right person is a builder who is equally comfortable designing the framework and personally reconciling the accounts, and who will earn the confidence of auditors, underwriters, and government customers.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Transition and ownership of the accounting function

• Take over day to day accounting from the current outsourced provider, including a structured knowledge transfer, cutover plan, and close ownership by a defined date.
• Own the monthly, quarterly, and annual close for the corporate entity and the consolidated group, with a disciplined calendar, checklists, and account reconciliations.
• Produce accurate, timely consolidated financial statements and management reporting for the CFO, CEO, Board, and investors.
• Build and lead the accounting team over time, starting as a player coach and hiring assistant controller, technical accounting, and staff accountant roles as the business scales.

Systems and process infrastructure

• Lead the ERP implementation as the internal business owner: select and manage the implementation partner, define requirements, design the multi entity, multi-currency structure, and drive testing, data migration, and go live.
• Implement procure to pay using Ramp (AP automation, corporate cards, spend controls) and integrate it with NetSuite.
• Partner with Engineering and Operations on integrations between NetSuite and manufacturing, product lifecycle, HRIS and payroll, and banking systems.
• Design intercompany, elimination, and consolidation processes that work at day one and scale as entities are added.
• Identify opportunities to automate accounting work with modern and AI enabled tools, consistent with our AI native operating model.

Chart of accounts and Government cost accounting

• Design a chart of accounts and dimensional structure (entity, program, contract, department, project) that supports GAAP reporting and US Government cost accounting requirements, including FAR Part 31 cost principles, FAR Part 15 cost and pricing support, and Cost Accounting Standards where applicable.
• Define direct, indirect, fringe, overhead, and G&A cost pools and allocation methodologies, and build the rate structure and supporting documentation needed for proposals, provisional billing rates, and incurred cost submissions.
• Establish timekeeping, cost segregation (allowable versus unallowable), and billing processes that position the company for an adequate accounting system determination and DCAA audit readiness, even where current contracts are fixed price or commercial.
• Work with contracts, legal, and program leadership so that cost accounting practices, disclosure, and compliance evolve as the mix of government work grows.

Accounting policy and technical accounting

• Draft and maintain the accounting policy manual, close procedures, and internal control documentation.
• Own technical positions across revenue recognition (ASC 606, including point in time and over time contracts), inventory and standard costing, business combinations and purchase price allocation (ASC 805), consolidation and equity method accounting (ASC 810 and ASC 323), goodwill and intangibles, foreign currency translation,