Corporate Controller

Korn Ferry has been exclusively retained to lead the search for a Corporate Controller on behalf of a growing aerospace and defense manufacturer specializing in mission‑critical technologies.

Our client is undergoing a significant period of organizational and operational transformation. With operations spanning multiple locations across the Southeast and Mid‑Atlantic, the company is growing with a need to increase reporting requirements, public‑company expectations, and the support the integration of new financial systems, controls, and processes.

As the organization continues to evolve, leadership is seeking an experienced accounting and finance executive to strengthen the company's financial infrastructure and lead its day‑to‑day accounting operations.

Reporting to the Head of Finance, the Controller will lead a team of approximately five accounting professionals and assume ownership of the company's core accounting operations, including financial reporting, payroll, accounts payable, accounts receivable, billing, and general accounting oversight. The Controller will also be responsible for strengthening internal controls and ensuring compliance with GAAP, Sarbanes‑Oxley requirements, Cost Accounting Standards, and applicable federal contracting regulations.

These responsibilities align with the formal scope of the position, which emphasizes public‑company reporting, SOX, CAS/FAR/DFARS compliance, DCAA readiness, and scalable financial infrastructure.

The mandate extends well beyond maintaining the accounting function. The Controller will partner closely with Corporate Finance, Operations, Supply Chain, Contracts, and other functional leaders to improve financial transparency, strengthen reporting disciplines, and support the company's broader integration into its parent organization.

This opportunity also offers meaningful long‑term succession potential. This candidate will have the opportunity to establish themselves as a key financial leader within the organization and potentially develop into the senior finance leader for the business.

• Lead the company's day‑to‑day accounting and financial operations, overseeing financial reporting, payroll, accounts payable, accounts receivable, billing, and general accounting activities.
• Manage and develop a team of approximately five accounting professionals, including Staff Accountants and Billing Specialists.
• Ensure accurate and timely financial reporting in accordance with GAAP, corporate reporting standards, and public‑company requirements.
• Strengthen the company's internal control environment and lead SOX documentation, testing, remediation, and ongoing compliance activities.
• Maintain compliance with CAS, FAR, DFARS, and applicable government contracting requirements while supporting DCAA audits and related regulatory inquiries.
• Ensure accounting practices appropriately address government contract cost allowability, allocability, and consistency requirements.
• Support the organization's transition from a historically private‑company environment to the reporting, controls, and financial disciplines required within a public company.
• Partner closely with Corporate Finance and cross‑functional leadership as the organization integrates new financial systems, reporting processes, and corporate requirements.
• Support ERP implementation and financial system migration initiatives designed to improve scalability, reporting, and operational visibility.
• Drive process improvement, accountability, and greater discipline across an accounting function operating within a rapidly changing environment.
• Provide the financial leadership and operational support necessary to allow the Head of Finance to focus more extensively on strategic finance and business initiatives.
• Position the finance organization for continued growth and future leadership succession.

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field required; CPA strongly preferred.
• 10+ years of progressive accounting and finance experience, including meaningful leadership responsibility.
• Demonstrated government contracting accounting experience required.
• Experience operating within a…