Assistant Controller, Merlin

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field
• CPA license required (active and in good standing)
• Minimum 7 years of progressive accounting experience, with at least 3 years in a defense, aerospace, or government contracting environment
• Demonstrated experience with FAR, DFARS, CAS, and DCAA audit processes
• Strong working knowledge of U.S. GAAP, SEC reporting requirements, and SOX compliance
• Experience with revenue recognition under ASC 606 for long-term contracts
• Proficiency with ERP systems (Deltek Costpoint, SAP, or similar government contracting ERP strongly preferred)
• Ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. Government Security Clearance (Secret or above); current clearance strongly preferred
• U.S. citizenship required (per government contract obligations)

Desirable

• The Assistant Controller plays a critical role in the financial operations of Merlin, supporting the Corporate Controller in managing all aspects of accounting, financial reporting, internal controls, and compliance for a publicly traded government defense contractor
• This position requires deep expertise in government contract accounting, SEC reporting obligations, and the unique regulatory environment governing defense industry finance
• The Assistant Controller will lead a team of accounting professionals and serve as a key liaison between finance, program management, contracts administration, and external auditors
• Assist in the preparation of quarterly (10-Q) and annual (10-K) reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) in compliance with U.S. GAAP and PCAOB standards
• Support Sarbanes-Oxley (SOX) Section 404 compliance, including documentation, testing, and remediation of internal controls over financial reporting (ICFR)
• Coordinate with external auditors (Big 4 or national firm) during quarterly reviews and annual audits
• Prepare and review financial statements, footnotes, and MD&A disclosures for accuracy and completeness
• Oversee cost accounting practices in compliance with the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR), Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement (DFARS), and Cost Accounting Standards (CAS)
• Manage the preparation and submission of government-required financial reports, including DCAA audits, incurred cost submissions (ICS), and forward pricing rate proposals (FPRPs)
• Monitor and maintain compliance with contract-specific accounting requirements, including time-and-materials (T&M), cost-plus-fixed-fee (CPFF), firm-fixed-price (FFP), and other contract types
• Support the Earned Value Management (EVM) reporting process for applicable government programs
• Oversee the monthly, quarterly, and annual financial close process, ensuring accuracy and timeliness of all journal entries, account reconciliations, and financial statements
• Manage indirect cost pools, allocation methodologies, and overhead rate calculations in compliance with CAS and FAR
• Supervise revenue recognition under ASC 606, including over-time recognition methodology for long-term government contracts
• Maintain and strengthen the company’s chart of accounts and general ledger integrity
• Design, implement, and monitor effective internal control procedures in accordance with COSO framework and SOX requirements
• Identify opportunities to streamline accounting processes and improve the efficiency and accuracy of financial operations
• Develop and maintain accounting policies and procedures documentation
• Oversee the accounting and administration of the company’s equity compensation programs, including stock options, restricted stock units (RSUs), and the Employee Stock Purchase Plan (ESPP)
• Ensure accurate recording of stock-based compensation expense in accordance with ASC 718, including fair value determination, vesting schedules, and forfeiture rate assumptions
• Coordinate with the company’s equity plan administrator and transfer agent to maintain accurate cap table records and equity award activity
• Prepare equity-related financial statement disclosures and footnotes for SEC filings, including 10-K and 10-Q reports
• Partner with Legal, HR, and Tax to administer Section 16 reporting obligations, Rule 10b5-1 trading plans, and insider trading policy compliance
• Monitor and account for dilutive securities and ensure accurate earnings per share (EPS) calculations under ASC 260
• Oversee the company’s payroll function, ensuring accurate and timely processing of multi-state payroll for all employees, including salaried, hourly, and contract labor populations
• Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local payroll tax regulations, including proper withholding, remittance, and year-end W-2 and 1099 reporting
• Maintain payroll controls and procedures that satisfy SOX internal control requirements and DCAA labor charging standards
• Coordinate with Human Resources on compensation changes, benefits deductions, leave accruals, and onboarding/offboarding processes to ensure payroll accuracy
• Review and approve payroll journal entries, reconcile payroll liability accounts, and ensure proper allocation of labor costs to government contract cost pools and direct/indirect categories
• Manage relationships with third-party payroll service providers and ensure system integrations with the ERP and time-tracking platforms are functioning accurately
• Supervise, mentor, and develop a team of accounting professionals including Senior Accountants and Staff Accountants
• Partner with Program Managers, Contracts Administration, Legal, and Finance to ensure accurate project-level financial reporting and forecasting
• Support the CFO and Corporate Controller in special projects, M&A due diligence, and strategic financial initiatives