Principal Staff Accountant

Job Title: Principal Staff Accountant – Aerospace & Defense

Position Summary

The Principal Staff Accountant is a senior technical accounting professional responsible for ensuring accurate financial reporting, compliance with government regulations, and strong internal controls in a highly regulated aerospace and defense environment. This role serves as a subject-matter expert for complex accounting matters, government contract accounting, and audit support, while partnering closely with program management, finance leadership, and external auditors.

Key Responsibilities

Technical Accounting & Reporting

• Lead complex accounting analyses and documentation in accordance with U.S. GAAP, including revenue recognition (ASC 606), leases (ASC 842), and long-term contracts.
• Prepare and review monthly, quarterly, and annual financial statements and disclosures.
• Research, interpret, and implement new accounting standards and regulatory guidance.
• Serve as the accounting authority for unusual or non-routine transactions.
• Provide monthly reports to indirect budget owners and facilitate updates to their forecasts.

Government Contract Accounting & Compliance

• Ensure compliance with FAR, CAS, DFARS, and other applicable government regulations.
• Support incurred cost submissions, forward pricing rate proposals, and cost impact analyses.
• Partner with contracts and program teams to ensure proper cost accounting and revenue treatment.
• Maintain compliant cost structures and indirect rate allocations.

Audit & Controls

• Act as a primary liaison for internal, external, and government audits (DCAA, DCMA).
• Prepare audit schedules, respond to audit inquiries, and resolve findings.
• Design, implement, and monitor strong internal controls over financial reporting.
• Support SOX compliance and continuous process improvements.

Leadership & Collaboration

• Mentor and review work of senior and staff accountants.
• Partner with FP&A, programs, supply chain, and engineering teams to support business objectives.
• Drive accounting process improvements, automation, and best practices.
• Provide clear guidance and recommendations to finance and executive leadership.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting or Finance (Master’s preferred).
• CPA or CMA strongly preferred.
• 8–12+ years of progressive accounting experience, including significant aerospace/defense or government contracting exposure.
• Deep working knowledge of U.S. GAAP, FAR, CAS, and DCAA requirements.
• Experience supporting government audits and complex contract accounting.
• Advanced proficiency in ERP systems (e.g., Deltek Costpoint, SAP, Oracle) and Excel.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with cost-type, fixed-price, and hybrid government contracts.
• Prior leadership or supervisory experience.
• Background in publicly traded or PE-backed A&D companies.
• Strong documentation and technical memo writing skills.
• Preferred Pacific Time Zone or Mountain Time Zone.

Key Competencies

• Exceptional attention to detail and analytical skills
• Strong judgment and problem-solving ability
• Ability to communicate complex accounting topics clearly
• Proactive, hands-on, and improvement-oriented mindset
• Ability to thrive in a regulated, deadline-driven environment

Compensation
$128,000-$200,000
Eligible for up to 15% annual bonus

Remote Position