Senior Manager, Accounting Controls and Compliance

American Institutes for Research•Chicago, IL

12d•Hybrid

About The Position

Join AIR as a Senior Manager, Accounting Controls and Compliance . We are seeking a dynamic leader to spearhead the implementation of Microsoft Dynamics 365 (Business Central and Project Operations) and Dayforce Payroll during a major systems transformation. The Senior Manager, Accounting Controls and Compliance will be a key contributor in the design and configuration of core financial modules, ensuring seamless data integration and driving process optimization across the Corporate Finance Office. The ideal candidate combines strong government contracts accounting knowledge with deep financial systems expertise and project leadership skills to deliver accurate, efficient, and future-ready solutions. If you thrive in complex environments and excel at collaboration, change management, and mentoring, this is your opportunity to make a lasting impact. This position offers flexibility to be fully remote from within the United States (does not include U.S. territories) or to work in a hybrid capacity from AIR’s offices in Arlington, VA or Chicago, IL with occasional travel required for meetings, training sessions, and conferences. About AIR Founded in 1946 and headquartered in Arlington, Virginia, the American Institutes for Research (AIR) is a nonpartisan, not-for-profit organization that conducts behavioral and social science research and delivers technical assistance to address some of the most pressing challenges in the United States and globally. Mission-focused and evidence-driven, AIR applies rigorous research and technical expertise to close gaps in opportunity and access, improving lives across communities and systems.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field; Certified Public Accountant (CPA) certification is preferred.
Minimum 9 years of progressive accounting experience, including participation as a core team member in Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) implementations (Microsoft Dynamics 365 and/or Deltek Costpoint experience preferred).
Proven experience in federal contracting or regulated environments, with deep knowledge of Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR), Cost Accounting Standards (CAS), DCAA audit programs, and US GAAP compliance.
Strong project management skills.
Effective communicator skilled in engaging remote, geographically dispersed teams through clear and adaptive collaboration.
Proven ability to solve complex problems, optimize processes, and apply sound judgment in dynamic environments.
Strong leadership and collaboration skills; able to work independently and guide teams while fostering compliance and best practices.
Expertise project management, prioritization, and meeting deadlines across multiple objectives in fast-paced settings.
Exceptional stakeholder engagement skills, with a commanding professional presence.
Skilled in mentoring, influencing others, and driving initiatives that align with strategic goals.
Proficiency in Microsoft 365 tools including OneDrive, SharePoint, Advanced Excel, and Word as well as Adobe Acrobat Pro is required.

Nice To Haves

Experience in leveraging AI tools to drive efficiency and inform decision-making is preferred.
PMP certification preferred.
Familiarity with Dynamics 365 Business Central; functional certification is a plus.

Responsibilities

Serve as the Controller’s primary representative for implementing Microsoft Dynamics 365 (Business Central, Project Operations) and Dayforce Payroll, partnering with consultants and internal subject-matter experts.
Lead design and configuration of core financial modules, including General Ledger, Project Cost Accounting, Labor, Accounts Payable, Procurement, Payroll and Fixed Assets.
Define mapping logic for project codes, accounting dimensions, and cost elements to ensure accurate data conversion from Deltek Costpoint to Dynamics.
Oversee data conversion strategy, including migration of master data, open transactions, and project cost balances.
Collaborate with functional leads and system integrators to maintain data integrity and deliver accurate financial outputs.
Develop future-state process maps and maintain comprehensive documentation such as functional specifications, workflows, and user guides.
Design and execute test scripts; lead all testing phases (unit, integration, and user acceptance) and resolve issues promptly.
Deliver training sessions and support change management initiatives to ensure smooth adoption of new systems and processes.
Perform quality checks on deliverables and provide guidance, training, and oversight to accounting staff as needed.
Identify post-implementation opportunities for process optimization and mentor team members on best practices, internal controls, and compliance standards.
Introduce AI into the accounting processes to automate repetitive tasks, enhance data analysis for strategic decision-making, improve fraud detection and compliance, and streamline financial reporting to provide real-time insights.