Controller — Aerospace & Defense / Government Contracting
Quest Defense Systems & Solutions, Inc.
$160,000 - $185,000 / year
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Description
We’re looking for humble geniuses who believe engineering can turn the impossible into reality—and who are driven to design, build, and test solutions that matter for some of the world’s most trusted companies. If you want to do meaningful work with a diverse team that believes in shared wins, continuous learning, and engineering a brighter future, this is the place for you.
Quest Defense Systems and Solutions is hiring a hands-on Controller with deep knowledge of accounting operations, government contract accounting, financial reporting, indirect rates, and DCAA/DCMA compliance. Requires proven success building and maintaining a DCAA-compliant environment, supporting classified and unclassified contracts, developing indirect rate structures, budgets, and forecasts, preparing incurred cost submissions, and leading government audits.
Location: Hybrid in our Blue Ash, OH Office
Citizenship: Due to the nature of the work US Citizen Only
Key Responsibilities
- Government Compliance: Lead as primary point for DCAA/DCMA; maintain FAR/DFARS/CAS-compliant policies, internal controls, and accounting system; respond to audits and drive corrective actions.
- Indirect Rates & Cost Accounting: Own fringe/overhead/G&A pools and allocation bases; set Provisional Billing Rates; monitor variances; develop forward pricing rates and proposals; reconcile billed vs. final rates.
- Incurred Cost / ICE: Prepare and submit annual ICP/ICS; produce ICE schedules with GL tie-out and documentation; manage final rate negotiations, billing adjustments, and closeouts.
- ERP Ownership (Unanet): Configure/optimize for GovCon (projects/contracts, cost pools, rates, labor categories, timekeeping, billing, revenue recognition); integrate across accounting, contracts, PM, forecasting; govern workflows and role-based access.
- Financial Accounting & Reporting: Run GL, AP/AR, billing (gov/commercial), payroll accounting, cash, fixed assets, project accounting; drive timely close; produce GAAP financials and management reports; ensure appropriate revenue recognition and reconciliations; coordinate external audits and tax.
- Contract & Program Financial Management: Ensure accurate project setup per contracts/CLINs/Tos/POs; monitor funding, LoF/LoC, burn rates, backlog, revenue/margin, ETC/EAC; optimize invoicing, support mods and closeouts.
- Budgeting, Forecasting & Resource Planning: Partner with VP Finance and Delivery to build budgets and forecasts; develop indirect expense budgets and rate forecasts; connect backlog/pipeline to staffing; track utilization and indirect staffing; run scenario models on mix, volume, and investments.
- Pricing & BD Support: Support proposal pricing with indirect rates and accounting inputs; prepare certified cost/pricing data when applicable; align pricing with accounting practices; support fact-finding, negotiations, and audits.
Qualifications
- 8–10+ years progressive accounting/finance in Government Contracting.
- Controller-level experience within a U.S. Government contractor
- Bachelor's in Accounting/Finance (CPA strongly preferred).
- Unanet hands-on design and implementation required (other GovCon ERPs valued).
- Aerospace & Defense/DoD/federal engineering services experience
- Advanced knowledge: FAR Part 31, DFARS, CAS applicability, DCAA audits, U.S. GAAP, government cost accounting.
- Contract types: T&M, FFP, IDIQ/Task Orders, and similar instruments. Cost Plus/Reimbursable is preferred
- U.S. citizenship and ability to obtain/maintain required clearance; experience with classified programs.
Preferred
- Scaled accounting infrastructure for a growing Defense contractor; mix of government and commercial revenue.
- Subsidiary/intercompany accounting; CAS-covered environments and Disclosure Statements; M&A/ERP transformation.
- EVMS exposure; advanced Excel and financial modeling; familiarity with BI tools (e.g., Power BI) and Resource Planning tools.
- Hands-on leader who translates complex GovCon requirements for program teams; builds scalable systems and controls; maintains integrity and confidentiality across classified/CUI environments; understands how accounting decisions affect compliance, rates, pricing, billing, profitability, and execution.
The QDSS Advantage
At QDSS, our advantage is purpose-driven work, collaborative teams, and complex challenges that push boundaries and build lasting impact. You’ll grow your career while contributing to mission-critical programs that demand excellence and shape the future.
What You’ll Find Here
- Work That Matters – Next-generation, safety- and mission-critical projects where your contributions have real-world impact.
- Growth That’s Supported – Competitive compensation, employer-matched 401(k), certification assistance, and clear opportunities for advancement.
- A Culture That Works – A flexible, collaborative, and people-first environment where teamwork, innovation, and balance are valued.
Benefits Include
- Competitive pay, comprehensive medical/dental/life and disability coverage, 401(k) with employer match, professional development support, and a flexible, friendly workplace.
Full compensation package is based on candidate experience and certifications
At Quest Defense Systems and Solutions, we don’t just build technology — we engineer the future. From next-generation aerospace solutions to cutting-edge defense systems, we tackle the toughest, mission-critical challenges that keep people safe and push the boundaries of innovation. This is where problem-solvers, innovators, and visionary thinkers come together to shape the future. With over 25 years of aerospace and defense engineering expertise, our commitment to delivering high-quality, transformative solutions sets us apart — not just as an industry leader, but as a driving force for impactful change. Together, we’re not just leading the industry — we’re revolutionizing it.
Quest Defense provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.
This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training.The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Benefits
- 401(k)
- professional development
About this role
Quest Defense Systems & Solutions is seeking a hands-on Controller to own the full financial and compliance infrastructure for a growing aerospace and defense contractor. This role demands deep expertise in government contract accounting, DCAA/DCMA compliance, and indirect rate management—you'll be the primary point of contact for federal audits, responsible for maintaining FAR/DFARS/CAS-compliant policies, preparing incurred cost submissions, and ensuring the accounting system supports classified and unclassified programs. The position also requires hands-on ERP ownership (specifically Unanet), where you'll configure and optimize systems to integrate accounting, contracts, project management, and billing across government and commercial revenue streams.
Beyond compliance and systems, you'll drive financial strategy by developing indirect rate structures, budgets, and forward pricing rates; managing contract-level profitability and funding; and supporting business development with certified cost and pricing data. This is a scaled leadership role that bridges accounting operations, program execution, and strategic planning—you'll partner with the VP of Finance and Delivery on forecasting and resource planning while translating complex GovCon requirements for program teams.
The role requires 8–10+ years in government contracting accounting with Controller-level experience, a bachelor's degree in accounting or finance (CPA strongly preferred), and hands-on Unanet implementation experience. U.S. citizenship and the ability to obtain or maintain a security clearance are required. The position is hybrid in Cincinnati, Ohio, with a salary range of $160,000–$185,000 and benefits including employer-matched 401(k), professional development support, and comprehensive medical, dental, and disability coverage.
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Pay for this role
$160,000 to $185,000 per year
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