Controller

Red Cell Partners•McLean, VA

4d•Hybrid

About The Position

DEFCON AI, an insights company within Red Cell Partners, is seeking a Controller to own accounting, financial close, compliance, and reporting for a fast-growing defense technology company serving Department of War and commercial customers. The position operates in a hybrid capacity from the McLean, Virginia office, with at least one day per week in the office or more as business needs require. Some work may need to be performed in a cleared facility. The Controller serves as the CFO's accounting partner, ensuring accurate monthly close, audit-ready financials, and government contract accounting practices prepared for DCAA and DCMA review. This hands-on leadership role will build scalable accounting processes, strengthen internal controls, and lead a small accounting team as the company grows across defense and commercial markets. The Controller owns accounting and financial close, government contract accounting and compliance, audits, tax coordination, internal controls, accounting systems, and collaboration with FP&A and business operations. The role also hires, develops, and manages the accounting team. Success means delivering timely, accurate, scalable close and reporting; maintaining documented, review-ready government contract accounting practices; maturing systems and controls with company growth; and independently leading the accounting function while surfacing risks early.

Requirements

Active CPA license.
10+ years of progressive accounting experience, including ownership of the financial close and management of an accounting team.
Experience with or strong knowledge of U.S. government contracting requirements, including FAR, DFARS, DCAA audits, indirect rates, and incurred cost submissions.
Strong technical accounting skills and command of U.S. GAAP, including ASC 606.
Experience leading annual audits and working directly with external auditors.
Bachelor’s degree in Accounting or a closely related field.
Active U.S. security clearance, or the ability to obtain and maintain one.
U.S. citizenship is required.

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree in Accounting, including an MAcc or MSA.
Public accounting experience, ideally with audit or government contracting advisory exposure.
Experience in a venture-backed or high-growth defense technology company.
Hands-on experience with government contracting ERP systems such as Deltek Costpoint, Unanet, or Procas.
Experience supporting both government and commercial revenue streams.

Responsibilities

Own the monthly, quarterly, and year-end close under U.S. GAAP.
Prepare financial statements, account reconciliations, and management reporting for the CFO, CEO, and Board of Directors.
Manage revenue recognition under ASC 606 across firm-fixed-price, time-and-materials, cost-reimbursable, and commercial contracts.
Oversee accounts payable, accounts receivable, payroll accounting, fixed assets, and equity and stock compensation accounting.
Maintain a DCAA-compliant accounting system, timekeeping process, and job-cost structure.
Develop and manage indirect rate structures, including fringe, overhead, general and administrative rates, and provisional billing rates.
Prepare incurred cost submissions, forward pricing support, and pricing inputs for proposals.
Ensure compliance with FAR Part 31 cost principles, Cost Accounting Standards where applicable, and DFARS business system requirements.
Serve as the primary contact for DCAA and DCMA audits and reviews.
Lead the annual external financial statement audit from planning through final sign-off, including PBC requests and supporting schedules.
Serve as the primary day-to-day contact for external auditors throughout the year.
Research complex transactions and prepare technical accounting position memos related to ASC 606, ASC 718, ASC 842, debt, and equity financings.
Coordinate with external tax advisors on federal and state filings.
Design and maintain internal controls, accounting policies, and procedures appropriate for a growing company.
Partner with FP&A on budgets, forecasts, cash flow planning, and contract profitability analysis.
Own accounting and ERP systems and drive process automation as the company scales.
Work with Contracts, Program Management, Human Resources, and Security teams to support business operations and compliance.
Hire, develop, and manage the accounting team.
Establish clear ownership, operating rhythms, and quality standards across the accounting function.

Benefits

Competitive salary, annual bonus, and equity package.
100% employer-paid comprehensive health insurance, including medical, dental, and vision coverage for the employee and family.
Unlimited PTO with manager or management approval.
Flexible, results-based work environment and flexibility to manage the workday while meeting business and team needs.
14 weeks of fully paid parental leave at normal pay.
Career-track opportunity with potential for rapid advancement as the firm grows.
Professional development and continued learning opportunities.
Optional 401(k), FSA, and equity incentives.
Mental health benefits through Tara Mind.
Cost-effective GLP-1 solutions through Crux.