Senior Controller

JOB DESCRIPTION

Senior Controller

Department

Finance

Location

Austin, TX

FLSA Status

Exempt

Employment Type

Full Time

Direct Reports

None initially; will build and lead a finance team of 5 to 6

Position Summary

Critical Materials Group (CMG) is a federally licensed energetics manufacturer rebuilding America's defense industrial base, and is building its finance function from the ground up. The Senior Controller is CMG's first accounting leader. Reporting to the CEO, this role owns the books, the close, and government contract compliance, brings work currently handled by bookkeepers and outsourced providers in house, and builds the accounting team underneath it. The Senior Controller answers the question every auditor, lender, and investor will ask: are the numbers right, compliant, and on time? Forecasting, pricing models, and strategic analysis sit with CMG's FP&A function, which depends on the clean, DCAA ready books this role delivers.

Key Responsibilities

Accounting Operations & Close

• Own the general ledger, chart of accounts, and monthly, quarterly, and annual close, producing accurate US GAAP financial statements.

• Oversee accounts payable, accounts receivable, payroll accounting, expenses, and bank and balance sheet reconciliations.

• Ensure every transaction is coded correctly at entry, by contract, charge code, and cost pool.

• Lead the annual financial review or audit and manage CMG's external accounting relationships.

Government Contract Accounting & Compliance

• Build and maintain an accounting system that meets DCAA adequacy standards, including the SF 1408 preaward survey criteria, so CMG is ready for cost type and larger federal awards.

• Ensure compliance with FAR Part 31 cost principles, DFARS, and Cost Accounting Standards as they apply.

• Develop indirect rate structures (fringe, overhead, and G&A), provisional billing rates, and annual incurred cost submissions.

• Own contract billing through government systems such as PIEE (Wide Area Workflow), plus collections.

• Implement labor timekeeping by contract charge code that meets DCAA standards, and lead CMG through DCAA audits and reviews.

Systems & Internal Controls

• Own CMG's newly implemented ERP for accounting, job costing, and project accounting; refine its configuration and drive adoption across Operations, Production, and Programs.

• Design and document internal controls, segregation of duties, approval authorities, and close procedures suited to a regulated government contractor.

• Establish standard costs and inventory and work in process accounting for energetics production as plant operations ramp.

Team Building & Leadership

• Manage current bookkeepers and outsourced providers, and bring work in house on a planned timeline.

• Build and lead a finance team of 5 to 6, sequenced with contract awards and plant ramp, including a staff accountant, an AP/AR and billing specialist, a cost and plant accountant, and a government contracts and pricing analyst.

• Report directly to the CEO on close results, compliance status, and cash position.

Partnership With FP&A

• Set indirect rates and supply cost history that FP&A uses for proposal pricing and bid strategy.

Qualifications

Required

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting or Finance and an active CPA license.

• 8+ years of progressive accounting experience, including at least 3 years as a Controller or in a core finance leadership role.

• Direct experience with defense or federal contracts (Department of War, Army, Navy, DoE, or similar).

• Working knowledge of FAR, DFARS, CAS, DCAA audits, indirect rates, and incurred cost submissions.

• Has built or scaled an accounting function at a startup or high growth company, including moving outsourced work in house.

• Experience running accounting in an ERP with project or job costing, such as Deltek Costpoint, Unanet, NetSuite, or Acumatica.

• Hands on operator who does the work while building the team.

• This role may require U.S. person status due to access to export controlled information.

Preferred

• Manufacturing cost accounting experience, including standard costs, inventory, work in process, and yield.

• Experience with other transaction agreements (OTAs) or SBIR and STTR awards.

• Experience supporting financial due diligence for a capital raise, debt financing, or acquisition.

• Active security clearance or experience in a cleared environment.

Total Rewards

This role is eligible for CMG's total rewards program, which includes a competitive base salary, equity, medical, dental, and vision coverage, and a sign on bonus where applicable.

Working Conditions & Physical Demands

Based in Austin, TX, with periodic travel to CMG sites, including the Ballinger, TX facility, to support operations, inventory, and site finance processes. Site visits may include manufacturing and laboratory areas where personal protective equipment and site safety protocols are required.

This job description reflects the general nature and level of work performed and is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required. Critical Materials Group reserves the right to amend this description at any time.