Controller, Accounting, Financial Reporting

Attention! Now Hiring …

Looking forward to your next big opportunity?

Whelan Machine is growing, and we want YOU to join our team!

We’re proud to be part of the Department of Defense (DoD) and offer you a chance to work in an exciting, fast-paced industry.

Supporting the mission with world‑class precision is at the heart of what we do.

Whelan Machineis a mission-critical supplier of high‑precision machining for the U.S defense industrial base. We offer quarterly incentive pay and the opportunity to work in our new and improved 70,000-square foot facility!

• Competitive pay
• Great benefits
• Quarterly incentive pays
• A workplace that values YOUR skill and growth
• Be part of the DoD and helping make a difference
• Supporting the mission with world‑class precision
• Brand-new 70,000 sq. ft. facility

Our mission is to build a world‑class team of skilled professionals, and we want YOU to be a part of it.

If you're in Louisville or nearby, don't miss this opportunity!

The Controller for Whelan Machine & Tool (WMT) owns the subsidiary's full accounting close, financial reporting, budgeting, forecasting, and internal controls function. This role manages day‑to‑day accounting operations, cost accounting for a defense manufacturing environment, and cash flow visibility. The Controller works closely with the Ajax Defense VP of Finance on consolidated reporting, intercompany transactions, and covenant/lender compliance, and serves as the primary financial point of contact for WMT operations leadership.

• Own the monthly, quarterly, and annual close process for WMT, ensuring accurate and timely financial statements.
• Prepare and review balance sheet reconciliations, ensuring the balance sheet, income statement, and cash flow statement remain reconciled and internally consistent.
• Deliver monthly financial and operational reporting packages to Ajax parent‑company leadership, including variance analysis against plan/budget.
• Maintain the general ledger, chart of accounts, and month‑end journal entry process within the ERP system.

• Own the annual operating budget process for WMT, partnering with Operations and Sales to build revenue, cost, and headcount plans by department and program.
• Maintain and update the rolling 13‑week cash flow forecast and a longer‑horizon (12+ month) financial forecast, reflecting current bookings, backlog, and production schedule.
• Produce monthly variance analysis comparing actuals to budget and forecast, identifying and explaining material drivers (volume, price, cost, mix) for parent‑company review.
• Reforecast throughout the year as bookings, contract awards, and production plans change, keeping the operations leadership ahead of variances rather than reactive to them.
• Support capital expenditure planning and prioritization.

• Maintain standard and actual cost accounting for a discrete manufacturing environment, including labor, material, and overhead allocation.
• Support cost accounting practices and cost pool structures in coordination with Ajax finance leadership.
• Support pricing, quoting, and program financial analysis in partnership with Program Management and Sales.

• Manage day‑to‑day cash positioning, AR collections, and AP prioritization, including coordination with critical suppliers on payment terms.
• Serve as a point of contact for the LOC lender relationship, providing timely and accurate reporting as required under the credit agreement.
• Track and reconcile intercompany transactions and management fee arrangements between WMT and Ajax.

• Maintain internal controls over financial reporting appropriate for a CMMC Level 2‑certified, ITAR‑registered manufacturing environment.
• Support annual audit, tax, and insurance renewal processes for WMT.
• Ensure Kentucky sales and use tax compliance, including manufacturing exemption documentation under KRS 139.470.

• Manage and develop WMT accounting staff (AP, AR, cost accounting, and payroll support functions).
• Serve as finance lead on ERP system administration and…