Chief Accounting Officer

Location: Leesburg, VA (On-Site Daily with some commuting to Tysons required)

Company Overview We are a rapidly growing, private equity-backed government contractor headquartered in Leesburg, Virginia. Our company operates in secure environments supporting critical government missions and is entering an exciting phase of growth and value creation. We are seeking an experienced accounting leader to help scale our organization, develop our team, and position the business for a successful future transaction.

Position Summary The Controller/Chief Accounting Officer will serve as the senior accounting leader for the organization and a key member of the finance leadership team. Reporting directly to the Chief Financial Officer, this individual will be responsible for leading the accounting organization, developing staff, overseeing the monthly close and reporting processes, strengthening internal controls, and helping prepare the company for future strategic transactions.

The successful candidate will provide leadership, mentorship, and organizational oversight while helping develop the next generation of accounting leadership within the company.

The ideal candidate is a seasoned accounting executive who enjoys building teams, creating accountability, developing talent, and serving as a trusted business partner to executive leadership.

Key Responsibilities Leadership & Team Development

Lead, mentor, and develop the accounting organization

Serve as direct manager and coach to the Assistant Controller and broader accounting team

Build organizational depth, succession planning, and leadership capabilities within the department

Conduct regular accounting leadership meetings and establish accountability throughout the team

Foster a culture of collaboration, ownership, continuous improvement, and professional development

Accounting Operations

Oversee all accounting operations and monthly close activities

Ensure timely, accurate, and efficient financial reporting

Review monthly financial results and reporting packages prepared by the accounting and FP&A teams

Maintain strong internal controls and accounting processes

Drive process improvements and operational efficiencies across the accounting function

Partner with finance leadership to support continued organizational growth

Private Equity & Executive Reporting

Support reporting requirements associated with private equity ownership

Ensure high-quality financial information is delivered to executive leadership, investors, and lenders

Participate in board and investor reporting processes

Help establish scalable reporting and control structures appropriate for a growing platform company

Strategic Initiatives & Transaction Readiness

Partner closely with the CFO in scaling the accounting function for growth

Support due diligence activities related to acquisitions, integrations, financing transactions, and eventual exit preparation

Assist with accounting and operational readiness for strategic transactions

Build a finance and accounting infrastructure capable of supporting continued growth

Industry & Compliance Support

Provide accounting leadership within a government contracting environment

Understand the unique characteristics of government contracting, including long-term contracts, secure environments, confidentiality requirements, and customer expectations

Maintain eligibility for a security clearance if required

Support compliance with company, customer, and contractual requirements

Qualifications

Bachelor's degree in Accounting or Finance required

15+ years of progressive accounting leadership experience

Experience leading accounting teams in growing organizations

Experience within government contracting, aerospace & defense, national security, or similarly regulated industries preferred

Prior experience working in a private equity-backed company preferred

Demonstrated success developing and mentoring accounting professionals

Strong leadership, communication, and organizational skills

Experience supporting M&A activity, due diligence, integrations, or transaction readiness initiatives preferred

Ability to operate effectively in a fast-paced, entrepreneurial environment

Personal Characteristics

Leadership-first mindset with a passion for developing people

Strong executive presence and ability to influence across the organization

Hands-on when necessary but focused on building scalable processes and teams

Collaborative partner to the CFO and executive leadership team

High integrity and discretion in handling sensitive information

Comfortable operating in an environment preparing for significant growth and future transaction activity

Why This Role? This is an opportunity to step into a highly visible leadership position within a growing private equity-backed government contractor. The successful candidate will have the opportunity to shape the accounting organization, mentor future leaders, partner directly with executive leadership, and play a meaningful role in preparing the company for its next chapter of growth.

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