Accounting Manager IV

Job Title:

Accounting Manager IV Job Description This senior leadership role oversees financial accounting operations across multiple functions, including revenue recognition, contract accounting, fixed assets, accounts payable, and government compliance in a complex government contracting environment. The Accounting Manager IV provides strategic oversight of ASC 606 revenue recognition for a diverse portfolio of long-term government contracts, ensuring accurate financial reporting, strong internal controls, and audit readiness. This position manages a multi-layer accounting organization of approximately 20-25 professionals, including managers and supervisors, and partners closely with executive leadership, FP&A, and Program Finance to influence key business decisions and shape accounting processes and compliance strategy. Responsibilities Lead, mentor, and develop multiple accounting teams, including managers, supervisors, and individual contributors within a ~20-25 person organization. Oversee revenue recognition across complex, long-term government contracts in accordance with ASC 606, providing guidance and final decisions on technical accounting treatment. Review contracts and proposals, advise on accounting treatment, assess risk, and evaluate financial impact for fixed price, cost-plus, and hybrid contract structures. Ensure compliance with US GAAP, FAR, CAS, DFAR, and internal control requirements across all relevant accounting functions. Drive audit readiness and lead support for external financial audits and regulatory reviews, including DCAA and DCMA audits. Influence accounting outcomes during contract capture, proposal, negotiation, and award phases by providing strategic accounting and financial input. Oversee multiple accounting functions, including contract accounting, fixed assets, accounts payable, accruals, travel, and compliance activities. Guide technical accounting decisions, including preparation and review of technical memos or white papers, and ensure consistent application of policies across the organization. Identify, design, and implement process improvements and efficiencies across accounting operations and related systems. Partner closely with executive leadership, FP&A, and Program Finance to support strategic decision-making and provide clear, insightful financial analysis. Organize, plan, schedule, and coordinate workloads and priorities to meet established deadlines, milestones, and reporting requirements. Serve as a key spokesperson for accounting on projects and programs, representing the function in cross-functional and executive-level discussions. Make sound decisions in ambiguous situations, balancing technical accounting requirements with business impact and operational considerations. Support and oversee government compliance activities, including understanding and applying rules for allowable versus unallowable costs in a government contracting environment. Provide leadership and oversight for specialized accounting areas such as warranty accounting, offset accounting, and cost share (e.g., research and development) accounting, as needed. Promote a culture of accountability, continuous improvement, and leadership development within the accounting organization. Work extended hours and travel as required to meet business, audit, and operational needs. Essential Skills Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related discipline. Approximately 10+ years of progressively complex experience in finance and accounting roles. Extensive experience in a commercial and government contractor environment. Strong expertise in ASC 606 and revenue recognition for complex, long-term contracts. Hands-on leadership experience managing managers and multi-layer accounting teams of approximately 20-25 people. Proven experience overseeing multiple accounting functions, including contract accounting, fixed assets, accounts payable, accruals, and compliance-related activities. Strong knowledge of US GAAP, FAR, CAS, and DFAR requirements in a government contracting context. Experience with fixed price, cost-plus, and hybrid government contract structures. Deep understanding of allowable versus unallowable costs in a government contract accounting environment. Demonstrated ability to make final accounting decisions in ambiguous situations while balancing technical requirements and business impact. Experience supporting and leading external audits and regulatory audits, including DCAA and DCMA. Advanced Excel skills for analysis, modeling, and reporting. Strong communication, leadership, presentation, and interpersonal skills, including the ability to work effectively with executive leadership. Demonstrated ability to organize, plan, schedule, and coordinate workloads to meet deadlines and milestones. Ability to resolve complex management and finance/accounting problems and serve as an expert in one or more finance/accounting management areas. Ability to work on a self-initiated basis and effectively contribute in a collaborative team environment. Additional Skills & Qualifications CPA certification strongly preferred. MBA in Accounting or Finance, CPA, or CMA certification is highly desirable. Experience with major accounting firms is a plus. Experience negotiating accounting issues with government agencies is highly desirable. Experience in warranty accounting, offset accounting, and cost share (e.g., research and development) accounting is preferred. Familiarity with SAP, FMS, and other ERP systems or large-scale financial systems. Background in aerospace and defense or a similar large-scale, highly regulated industry is beneficial. Exposure to international revenue recognition considerations is a plus. Experience preparing or reviewing technical accounting memos or white papers. Proven ability to scale organizational structures, such as senior manager → managers → individual contributors. Strong business acumen and the ability to partner with FP&A and Program Finance to support strategic decisions. Work Environment This role is based onsite in San Diego, CA, within a structured, compliance-driven organization operating in a stable aerospace and defense environment. The standard schedule follows a 9/80 workweek, providing every other Friday off, with one designated work-from-home day per week. The position is primarily on-site with limited flexibility. The work environment is highly collaborative, involving regular interaction with Program Finance, FP&A, and executive leadership, and it offers significant visibility and influence in key decision-making forums. The culture emphasizes accountability, leadership development, operational excellence, and continuous improvement in processes and controls. The role requires comfort working in an executive-facing capacity, occasionally working extended hours, and traveling as business needs dictate. The organization uses modern ERP and financial systems and maintains a professional office setting aligned with a large-scale, regulated government contracting operation. Job Type & Location This is a Permanent position based out of Poway, CA. Pay and Benefits The pay range for this position is $174000.00 - $195000.00/yr. Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage 401(k) + company pension plan Paid time off + paid holidays Tuition reimbursement and ongoing development Employee wellness programs and

EAP 9/80

work schedule (every other Friday off) Workplace Type This is a hybrid position in Poway,CA. Application Deadline This position is anticipated to close on Jun 12, 2026. About Aston Carter Aston Carter provides world-class corporate talent solutions to thousands of clients across the globe. Specialized in accounting, finance, human resources, talent acquisition, procurement, supply chain and select administrative professions, we extend the capabilities of industry-leading companies. We draw on our deep recruiting expertise and expansive network to meet the evolving needs of our clients and talent community with agility and excellence. With offices across the U.S., Canada, Asia Pacific and Europe, Aston Carter serves many of the Fortune 500. We are proud to be a ClearlyRated Best of Staffing® double diamond winner for both client and talent service. The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law. If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification or adjustment of the job application process or interviewing process due to a disability, please email astoncarteraccommodation@astoncarter.com for other accommodation options.

San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance:

Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in the city and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

Massachusetts Lie Detector:

It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability. Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI): We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process, including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applications and qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, you acknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.