Controller

Texas A&M•College Station, TX

9d•Onsite

About The Position

The Controller (Accounting Manager), under the general direction of the Chief Financial Officer, is the senior accounting professional responsible for managing accounting operations, financial reporting, internal controls, and financial compliance for INSPIRE Alliance. The role establishes and maintains the financial infrastructure supporting the organization’s growth as a nonprofit focused on national security, defense innovation, and applied engineering. It oversees daily accounting activities, maintains accurate financial records, and supports compliance with federal contracting requirements, generally accepted accounting principles, and nonprofit financial regulations. The Controller leads implementation and administration of Deltek Costpoint or a comparable government-contracting accounting system for federal contracts, grants, cooperative agreements, industry partnerships, and other sponsored activities. In collaboration with the CFO, executive leadership, program managers, and external financial partners, the position develops efficient accounting processes, strengthens financial accountability, and supports the organization’s expanding financial and administrative operations. The position is based on-site at the Texas A&M Engineering campus in College Station and may transition to direct INSPIRE Alliance employment as its independent financial infrastructure develops.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Business or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
Ten years of related experience, including two years of supervisory experience.
Comprehensive understanding of accounting principles, financial reporting, reconciliations, and internal control practices.
Knowledge of federal contracting financial requirements, cost allocation methods, indirect cost structures, and contract accounting.
Advanced proficiency with accounting software, Microsoft Excel, and financial reporting applications.
Ability to implement financial systems, develop accounting procedures, and establish effective internal controls.
Strong analytical and problem-solving skills and exceptional attention to detail.
Ability to manage competing priorities and meet financial reporting deadlines.
Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to communicate financial information to nonfinancial personnel.
Ability to work collaboratively with university administrators, government partners, industry representatives, and organizational leadership.
Professionalism, discretion, sound judgment, and commitment to financial integrity.
Ability to adapt to evolving organizational structures, accounting requirements, and operational priorities.
Ability to work on-site in College Station, Texas, consistent with organizational requirements.
Ability to coordinate financial operations with Texas A&M University System personnel and INSPIRE Alliance leadership.
Willingness to support development of INSPIRE Alliance’s independent financial infrastructure and the potential transition of the position to direct corporate employment.
Ability to maintain confidentiality of financial, contractual, and organizational information.
Commitment to federal financial compliance, audit readiness, and sound financial management practices.
Alignment with INSPIRE Alliance’s mission to advance national security innovation and mission-ready engineering solutions.

Nice To Haves

Experience managing accounting functions, supervising accounting personnel, or leading financial system implementations.
Experience with Deltek Costpoint or a comparable enterprise accounting system.
Experience supporting federal contracts, government contracting, grants, sponsored programs, or nonprofit financial operations.
Knowledge of federal cost principles, FAR, DFARS, Uniform Guidance, and government-contract accounting practices.
Experience preparing financial statements, supporting audits, managing project accounting, and developing accounting policies and procedures.
Certified Public Accountant (CPA) designation or CPA eligibility.

Responsibilities

Manage daily accounting operations, including general ledger, accounts payable, accounts receivable, payroll accounting, fixed assets, and financial reconciliations.
Oversee monthly, quarterly, and annual financial close processes and prepare or review journal entries, account reconciliations, financial statements, and supporting schedules.
Maintain accurate financial records in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles and applicable federal and organizational requirements.
Monitor expenditures and financial transactions for appropriate documentation, approvals, and accountability.
Prepare financial reports and budget-to-actual analyses; support the CFO with annual operating budgets, forecasts, and cash flow projections.
Lead implementation, configuration, testing, and ongoing administration of Deltek Costpoint or a comparable government-contracting accounting system.
Establish accounting structures, project codes, cost centers, indirect cost pools, and reporting processes for federal contract and grant requirements.
Develop procedures for contract accounting, timekeeping, expense allocation, billing, and financial reconciliation; coordinate systems integration with Texas A&M University System processes and INSPIRE Alliance operations.
Improve accounting efficiency, automate processes, strengthen reporting, and train employees and accounting personnel on systems, procedures, and compliance requirements.
Oversee accounting for federal contracts, grants, cooperative agreements, and industry-sponsored programs, including monitoring expenditures, funding limits, cost allocations, and reporting requirements.
Support compliance with FAR, DFARS, Uniform Guidance, and federal cost accounting requirements; coordinate financial tracking and reporting with contracts, business development, and program management personnel.
Support proposal budgets, cost estimates, indirect rate calculations, pricing documentation, financial justifications, contract closeout, sponsor reporting, reconciliations, and audit documentation.
Develop, implement, and maintain accounting policies, procedures, and internal controls to safeguard assets and ensure financial integrity.
Maintain records and documentation for internal and external audits; coordinate annual financial audits, federal compliance reviews, and other financial examinations.
Monitor compliance with nonprofit accounting standards, federal financial regulations, sponsor requirements, and organizational policies; identify risks or control weaknesses and recommend corrective actions.
Support applicable federal, state, and nonprofit financial filings, including tax documentation and reporting; ensure financial transactions are documented, authorized, and reconciled.
Develop INSPIRE Alliance’s financial infrastructure, accounting systems, controls, and administrative processes to support organizational growth and potential transition of accounting functions and personnel to direct employment by the Alliance.
Coordinate with Texas A&M University System financial and administrative personnel and support scalable accounting processes for expanding corporate operations, federal contracts, partnerships, and expenditures.
Supervise, train, and provide technical guidance to accounting personnel as positions are established.
Coordinate with the CFO, executive leadership, contracts personnel, program managers, and external accounting service providers; establish work priorities, reporting schedules, and performance expectations.
Respond to financial inquiries, provide accounting information for operational decisions, and promote accountability, professionalism, compliance, and continuous improvement.
Perform other related financial and accounting duties as assigned by the Chief Financial Officer.

Benefits

Competitive medical insurance through Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas and prescription coverage through Express Scripts.
Options for vision, dental, life, and long-term disability insurance.
Defined benefit retirement plan through the Teacher Retirement System of Texas (TRS), with an 8.25% employer contribution.
Voluntary retirement programs, including Tax Deferred Account 403(b) and Deferred Compensation Program 457(b).
Flexible spending account options for medical and childcare expenses.
Paid holidays, vacation, and sick leave.
Free LinkedIn Learning access and professional development opportunities.
Tuition assistance and educational release time.
Engineer Your Wellness health and fitness programs.
Wellness release time to promote work/life balance.