Controller, Finance & Banking, Accounting Manager

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Location:

Arlington, VA (Hybrid; 4 days/week in-office) OR East Coast Remote-Based (with some travel)

👥 Team: Accounting & Finance

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Reports to:

VP of Accounting & Finance

💼 Type: Full-time (exempt)

Dandelion is seeking an experienced Controller to build and lead an accounting function that can scale with the business. Reporting to the VP of Accounting & Finance, you will own all accounting operations, financial reporting, compliance, and controls while driving meaningful process improvements that will serve as the foundation for the next stage of Dandelion’s growth.

This is a player-coach role that requires a strong leader who is comfortable operating at an executive level while remaining deeply connected to the tactical integrity of our day-to-day accounting. You will directly manage the month-end close, refine our revenue recognition and work‑in‑progress accounting policies, and optimize our internal processes, while simultaneously leading and developing a high‑performing team.

The ideal candidate brings deep technical accounting expertise from construction, energy, or similar service‑based industries, thrives in a high‑growth startup environment, and is genuinely energized by building scalable processes and systems while proactively identifying financial and operational risks.

• Lead completion of our current audit cycle and establish an efficient, audit‑ready cadence

• Implement a durable revenue recognition policy and WIP accounting framework aligned with ASC 606 and operational realities

• Conduct a thorough review of the month‑end close process and reconciliations to identify gaps and establish a scalable close discipline

• Identify key financial control and project margin risk areas and implement preventative controls

• Own the monthly, quarterly, and annual close process, ensuring the delivery of accurate and timely GAAP financial statements (including detailed gross margin, COGS, and project profitability analysis)

• Oversee all core accounting operations including AP, AR, payroll accounting, and general ledger activities

• Maintain GAAP compliance and robust internal controls to ensure the integrity of financial reporting and ongoing audit readiness

• Draft and maintain accounting memos to support technical positions, particularly regarding revenue recognition (ASC 606)

• Manage the end‑to‑end execution of our annual Big Four audit and serve as the relationship owner for external audit and tax firms

• Own gross margin integrity across projects, including job cost accounting, labor and overhead allocation, WIP valuation, and root‑cause analysis of margin variance

• Oversee stock‑based compensation accounting (ASC 718) and equity‑related compliance

• Oversee billing accuracy, collections cadence, retainage tracking, and cash conversion across enterprise customer contracts

• Drive automation of accounting processes, monthly reconciliations, and workflows to build a scalable, efficient function and strengthen controls

• Optimize the quote‑to‑cash process between Net Suite (ERP) and Salesforce (CRM)

• Partner with FP&A and data team to ensure proper integration between systems and improve data accuracy, reporting capabilities, and cross‑functional visibility

• Build and document accounting policies, procedures, and controls that will support the company through rapid growth

• Build, manage, and mentor a team of accounting professionals, creating a culture of excellence, collaboration, and continuous improvement

• Establish a scalable accounting organization structure (AP/AR, GL, revenue, inventory) with clear operating cadence and performance expectations

• Collaborate with the VP of Finance on forecasting, budgeting, cash management, and strategic initiatives

• Act as a strategic finance partner to Operations, Sales, and executive leadership, translating accounting and margin insights into actionable business decisions

• Support due diligence efforts for fundraising, M&A, or other strategic transactions

• Player‑coach mentality:
  You are comfortable rolling up your sleeves to own…