Accounting Manager IV

Aston Carter•Poway, CA

5d•$174,000 - $195,000•Hybrid

About The Position

This senior leadership role oversees financial accounting operations across multiple functions, including revenue recognition, contract accounting, fixed assets, accounts payable, and government compliance in a complex government contracting environment. The Accounting Manager IV provides strategic oversight of ASC 606 revenue recognition for a diverse portfolio of long-term government contracts, ensuring accurate financial reporting, strong internal controls, and audit readiness. This position manages a multi-layer accounting organization of approximately 20–25 professionals, including managers and supervisors, and partners closely with executive leadership, FP&A, and Program Finance to influence key business decisions and shape accounting processes and compliance strategy.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related discipline.
Approximately 10+ years of progressively complex experience in finance and accounting roles.
Extensive experience in a commercial and government contractor environment.
Strong expertise in ASC 606 and revenue recognition for complex, long-term contracts.
Hands-on leadership experience managing managers and multi-layer accounting teams of approximately 20–25 people.
Proven experience overseeing multiple accounting functions, including contract accounting, fixed assets, accounts payable, accruals, and compliance-related activities.
Strong knowledge of US GAAP, FAR, CAS, and DFAR requirements in a government contracting context.
Experience with fixed price, cost-plus, and hybrid government contract structures.
Deep understanding of allowable versus unallowable costs in a government contract accounting environment.
Demonstrated ability to make final accounting decisions in ambiguous situations while balancing technical requirements and business impact.
Experience supporting and leading external audits and regulatory audits, including DCAA and DCMA.
Advanced Excel skills for analysis, modeling, and reporting.
Strong communication, leadership, presentation, and interpersonal skills, including the ability to work effectively with executive leadership.
Demonstrated ability to organize, plan, schedule, and coordinate workloads to meet deadlines and milestones.
Ability to resolve complex management and finance/accounting problems and serve as an expert in one or more finance/accounting management areas.
Ability to work on a self-initiated basis and effectively contribute in a collaborative team environment.

Nice To Haves

CPA certification strongly preferred.
MBA in Accounting or Finance, CPA, or CMA certification is highly desirable.
Experience with major accounting firms is a plus.
Experience negotiating accounting issues with government agencies is highly desirable.
Experience in warranty accounting, offset accounting, and cost share (e.g., research and development) accounting is preferred.
Familiarity with SAP, FMS, and other ERP systems or large-scale financial systems.
Background in aerospace and defense or a similar large-scale, highly regulated industry is beneficial.
Exposure to international revenue recognition considerations is a plus.
Experience preparing or reviewing technical accounting memos or white papers.
Proven ability to scale organizational structures, such as senior manager → managers → individual contributors.
Strong business acumen and the ability to partner with FP&A and Program Finance to support strategic decisions.

Responsibilities

Lead, mentor, and develop multiple accounting teams, including managers, supervisors, and individual contributors within a 20–25 person organization.
Oversee revenue recognition across complex, long-term government contracts in accordance with ASC 606, providing guidance and final decisions on technical accounting treatment.
Review contracts and proposals, advise on accounting treatment, assess risk, and evaluate financial impact for fixed price, cost-plus, and hybrid contract structures.
Ensure compliance with US GAAP, FAR, CAS, DFAR, and internal control requirements across all relevant accounting functions.
Drive audit readiness and lead support for external financial audits and regulatory reviews, including DCAA and DCMA audits.
Influence accounting outcomes during contract capture, proposal, negotiation, and award phases by providing strategic accounting and financial input.
Oversee multiple accounting functions, including contract accounting, fixed assets, accounts payable, accruals, travel, and compliance activities.
Guide technical accounting decisions, including preparation and review of technical memos or white papers, and ensure consistent application of policies across the organization.
Identify, design, and implement process improvements and efficiencies across accounting operations and related systems.
Partner closely with executive leadership, FP&A, and Program Finance to support strategic decision-making and provide clear, insightful financial analysis.
Organize, plan, schedule, and coordinate workloads and priorities to meet established deadlines, milestones, and reporting requirements.
Serve as a key spokesperson for accounting on projects and programs, representing the function in cross-functional and executive-level discussions.
Make sound decisions in ambiguous situations, balancing technical accounting requirements with business impact and operational considerations.
Support and oversee government compliance activities, including understanding and applying rules for allowable versus unallowable costs in a government contracting environment.
Provide leadership and oversight for specialized accounting areas such as warranty accounting, offset accounting, and cost share (e.g., research and development) accounting, as needed.
Promote a culture of accountability, continuous improvement, and leadership development within the accounting organization.
Work extended hours and travel as required to meet business, audit, and operational needs.