Controller

Primordial Labs•New Haven, CT

2d•$150,000 - $195,000•Remote

About The Position

Primordial Labs is hiring a Controller to build and own the company’s accounting function as it grows across Department of War and commercial markets. Reporting to the Director of Finance, the Controller will oversee accounting operations, close and financial reporting, technical accounting, internal controls, audit, tax, and the company’s relationships with DCAA and DCMA. This is a hands-on leadership role for someone who will assess and improve existing processes, establish an accounting function, and ensure financials are accurate, audit-ready, and aligned with government contracting requirements. The role is fully remote and open to residents of the United States. Due to federal compliance requirements, candidates must be U.S. citizens and current U.S. residents; permanent residency or visa sponsorship does not meet this requirement.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in accounting or finance.
Active CPA license.
At least 10 years of accounting or finance experience, including experience in a leadership role.
Government contracting experience, including knowledge of FAR Part 31 cost principles and DCAA expectations for accounting systems.
Hands-on experience leading a financial close.
Experience setting up or maintaining compliant timekeeping and labor distribution.
Experience leading a financial statement audit.
Strong expertise in U.S. GAAP, technical accounting, and internal controls.
Advanced Excel skills and experience with QuickBooks or a similar accounting system.
Habit of using automation to reduce manual work in accounting workflows.
Comfort working as a player/coach and jumping in to complete work.
Clear communication skills, including explaining accounting impacts to engineers, executives, and government auditors.
Self-directed and organized in a fully remote environment.
U.S. citizenship and current residency within the United States.

Nice To Haves

Experience in defense technology or at a venture-backed startup.
Experience with cost-type contracts, indirect rate structures, or incurred cost submissions.
Public accounting experience, ideally with government contractor clients.
Experience selecting or implementing a GovCon ERP such as Deltek Costpoint, Unanet, or similar.
Experience building an accounting team at a growing company.

Responsibilities

Own the monthly, quarterly, and annual close and deliver timely, accurate U.S. GAAP financial statements.
Oversee general ledger activity, account reconciliations, and DCAA-compliant labor distributions.
Prepare monthly reporting packages for executive leadership, the Board, and external parties as needed.
Document and continuously improve the close process, including through automation.
Oversee banking, billing, accounts receivable, accounts payable, payroll, timekeeping, expense reporting, and fixed assets.
Design, document, and test internal controls, including segregation of duties and DCAA-compliant timekeeping and labor charging.
Ensure accounting processes meet government contract requirements, including identifying and segregating unallowable costs.
Own the QuickBooks accounting system and Rippling timekeeping system, and lead selection and implementation of an integrated GovCon ERP.
Write, implement, and maintain accounting policies as the technical accounting lead.
Prepare technical accounting memos for complex transactions and evaluate new accounting standards.
Own accounting conclusions for revenue recognition (ASC 606), inventory, leases (ASC 842), stock-based compensation (ASC 718), and business combinations (ASC 805).
Partner with the Director of Finance to advise leadership on accounting impacts of new contracts, financings, and acquisitions.
Lead the annual financial statement audit and manage the external auditor relationship; keep audit schedules current throughout the year.
Coordinate with the external tax firm on returns, tax provision, and R&D and other credits.
Maintain multi-state registrations and filings, and oversee sales and use tax and international filings as the company grows.
Own the company’s DCAA and DCMA relationships and support their requests and audits.
Partner with the Director of Finance to develop and maintain indirect rates and related filings, including incurred cost submissions.