Company Overview
Allen Control Systems (ACS) is a cutting-edge defense startup founded by two former Navy electrical engineers with a proven track record in robotics and software. We are developing an autonomous gun turret using advanced computer vision and control systems to precisely detect, track, and neutralize enemy drones.
With an engineering-first culture, ACS values technical excellence and innovation. Backed by our founders’ successful exits from two previous ventures acquired for a combined $180M in 2022, we are committed to ensuring that the groundbreaking technologies we develop will have a real-world impact.
About The Role
ACS is in production, shipping autonomous counter-drone systems to SOCOM, the U.S. Army, and customers across multiple countries, and is on a clear trajectory to $1B in annual revenue. We are looking for a Director of Accounting to run the day-to-day accounting operation that scales with us from here, working directly under the Corporate Controller. You will own the integrity of the general ledger, drive an accurate and on-time close, and lead the accounting team through an ERP implementation and a growing scope that includes complex manufacturing operations, multi-contract government billing, and a growing fixed asset base. This is a hands-on leadership role for someone who has run accounting operations at a high-growth, engineering-driven company and is ready to do it at a company moving faster and with higher stakes than most have touched before.
What You’ll Do
Manage day-to-day accounting operations across general ledger, AP, AR, and payroll accounting; own the close calendar and drive accurate, on-time financial statements; review reconciliations and journal entries for quality and completeness.
Serve as a key implementer on the ERP rollout, covering chart of accounts design, data migration, testing, and go-live; apply revenue recognition policy across a complex contract mix including fixed-price hardware, cost-reimbursable R&D, OTAs, FMS, and multi-element arrangements under ASC 606; prepare technical accounting memos for Controller review.
Operate standard costing for Bullfrog and future product lines including BOM costing, labor routing, overhead absorption, and variance analysis; maintain GAAP-compliant financial statements and manage audit preparation including PBC schedules, support requests, and auditor follow-ups.
Execute and monitor internal controls appropriate for a government contractor; support DCAA readiness; manage fixed asset accounting including capitalization, depreciation schedules, asset tagging, and physical inventory of capital equipment.
Supervise, mentor, and develop the accounting team; provide review and quality control over their work; support the Controller and FP&A with actuals, reporting packages, and variance explanations.
What You’ll Need
7+ years of progressive accounting experience including direct team management; CPA strongly preferred; hands-on experience owning a monthly close at a manufacturing, hard-tech, or government-contracting company.
Working knowledge of U.S. government contracts including OTAs, price-based, and cost-based FAR contracts; solid ASC 606 application to multi-deliverable structures; manufacturing cost accounting including standard costing, BOM, variance analysis, and overhead absorption.
Experience with a fixed asset base in an industrial manufacturing environment including capitalization, depreciation, asset tagging, and physical inventory; experience contributing to or supporting an ERP implementation.
Demonstrated people management including hiring, mentoring, and developing accounting staff; comfortable using AI tools such as Claude or Copilot in daily accounting and analytical work.
You’ll Stand Out
Big Four experience in public audit or assurance services.
Experience with DCAA-compliant accounting systems and federal Cost Accounting Standards.
Experience supporting a Series C or later raise, with corresponding audit and investor reporting exposure.
Experience standing up or improving close processes and accounting systems in a high-growth environment; multi-entity or multi-currency accounting.
What We Offer
Competitive salary
ACS Equity Package
Health, Dental, Vision Insurance
Paid Time Off
Allen Control Systems is an Equal Opportunity Employer, providing equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment. Allen Control Systems prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. #LI-AS1
Skills Required
- 7+ years of progressive accounting experience including direct team management
- CPA
- Hands-on experience owning a monthly close at a manufacturing, hard-tech, or government-contracting company
- Working knowledge of U.S. government contracts including OTAs, price-based, and cost-based FAR contracts
- Solid ASC 606 application to multi-deliverable structures
- Manufacturing cost accounting including standard costing, BOM, variance analysis, and overhead absorption
- Experience with fixed asset accounting including capitalization, depreciation, asset tagging, and physical inventory
- Experience contributing to or supporting an ERP implementation
- Demonstrated people management including hiring, mentoring, and developing accounting staff
- Comfortable using AI tools such as Claude or Copilot in daily accounting and analytical work
- Big Four experience in public audit or assurance services
- Experience with DCAA-compliant accounting systems and federal Cost Accounting Standards
- Experience supporting a Series C or later raise, with audit and investor reporting exposure
- Experience standing up or improving close processes and accounting systems in a high-growth environment
- Multi-entity or multi-currency accounting experience
Allen Control Systems Compensation & Benefits Highlights
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Healthcare Strength — Health, dental, and vision coverage are consistently listed as employer‑provided across current role descriptions, indicating a solid core healthcare offering. This aligns with the startup‑standard package the company advertises.
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Leave & Time Off Breadth — Paid time off is explicitly advertised alongside core health benefits in multiple postings. While accrual details aren’t shown publicly, its consistent inclusion signals baseline time‑off coverage.
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Equity Value & Accessibility — An “ACS Equity Package” is repeatedly called out in job descriptions, suggesting equity grants are a standard component of total compensation. Visibility of equity across roles points to broad access to ownership upside, with specifics to be confirmed.
Allen Control Systems Insights
What We Do
Allen Control Systems is a defense technology company for a new era of drone warfare and to completely change battlefield economics. ACS is developing counter-drone robotic gun systems targeted at neutralizing attacking drone swarms, drones that are pre-programmed with AI, and drones that are non-jammable. ACS was created to lower the cost per kill of a drone to a few dollars. We do this by combining cutting-edge hardware and software that allows us to point an inexpensive gun that already exists in the field more accurately than anyone ever has before. ACS is a remote organization, with our HQ in Austin, Texas, and an office in Alexandria, Va. If you're passionate about our mission, we’d love to hear from you.
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