VP, Accounting

FORT Robotics•Philadelphia, PA

3h•$170,000 - $240,000

About The Position

FORT is hiring a Vice President, Accounting to lead its accounting and external reporting functions as the company transitions from a privately held robotics company to a public company through a SPAC business combination. Reporting to the CFO, this executive will build a scalable, public-company-ready accounting organization, safeguard the integrity of financial statements, and lead SEC reporting and technical accounting through the transaction and afterward. The role will advise the CFO and executive team on complex accounting matters and combines strategic leadership with hands-on ownership of critical work. The VP will lead and develop the Head of SEC Reporting and Accounting Manager; establish accounting policies and practices compliant with U.S. GAAP and SEC requirements; oversee close, consolidation, SEC filings, audits, and transaction accounting; and partner across the company on accounting matters related to FORT's robotics business. The role will also lead upgrades to ERP, close, and reporting systems, using automation and AI where they reduce manual work. The position reports to the CFO. Applications are accepted through the end of December 2026; the date may be updated if the application window is extended.

Requirements

12+ years of progressive accounting and financial reporting experience, including significant leadership responsibility.
Experience at a U.S. public company, or experience leading a company through an IPO, de-SPAC, or similar public-company transition.
Hands-on ownership of SEC filings and public-company external reporting.
Deep U.S. GAAP and technical accounting expertise, including revenue recognition and stock-based compensation.
Track record leading close, consolidation, and external reporting.
Experience leading accounting managers and directors.
Proven experience working with external auditors and senior finance leadership.
Experience building scalable accounting processes in a high-growth or fast-changing organization.
Strong executive communication skills and ability to balance strategic leadership with hands-on work.
Active CPA license.
Bachelor's degree in accounting or finance.

Nice To Haves

SPAC business combination experience, including transaction accounting and post-merger reporting.
Big 4 public accounting background combined with corporate accounting leadership.
Robotics, industrial automation, manufacturing, or hardware technology experience, including inventory costing and hardware-plus-software revenue.
Purchase accounting and integration experience from acquisitions.
International entity consolidation and multi-currency reporting.
NetSuite or similar ERP implementation experience.
Experience supporting Audit Committee and Board-level reporting.
Experience in a venture-backed or private equity-backed company.

Responsibilities

Lead, mentor, and develop the Head of SEC Reporting and Accounting Manager, setting accountability, performance expectations, and development opportunities.
Build an accounting team that can scale with the company and establish accounting policies and practices compliant with U.S. GAAP and SEC requirements.
Advise the CFO and leadership team on significant transactions and complex accounting matters.
Lead accounting and reporting readiness for the SPAC business combination, including historical financial statements, pro forma information, and transaction analyses, in partnership with Legal, external auditors, bankers, and advisors.
Oversee 10-K, 10-Q, and 8-K filings, registration statements, and related disclosures on public-company timelines.
Oversee accurate, timely monthly, quarterly, and annual close and consolidation, and improve close speed, reconciliation quality, and reporting processes.
Own accounting policies and documented, audit-ready conclusions for complex and judgmental areas, including de-SPAC accounting, revenue recognition, inventory, standard costing and reserves, capitalized software and R&D, stock-based compensation, business combinations, leases, and impairments.
Serve as the primary accounting contact for external auditors during PCAOB-standard quarterly reviews and the annual audit, resolving inquiries and proposed adjustments on time.
Partner with Internal Controls and Internal Audit, ensure accounting controls are performed and documented, and lead remediation of accounting findings.
Lead purchase accounting and integration of acquired entities into FORT's close and reporting, and support financing transactions.
Lead upgrades to ERP, close, and reporting systems and use automation and AI where they reduce manual work.
Prepare accounting materials for the Audit Committee and Board.
Work with FP&A to align actual results with budgets and forecasts, and partner with Supply Chain, Manufacturing, Engineering, Legal, and Tax on accounting for FORT's robotics business.