ABOUT THE ROLE

Are you a finance leader who is comfortable both influencing the direction and rolling up your sleeves? We're looking for a Controller who can provide disciplined financial leadership while remaining actively involved in the day-to-day accounting execution that supports a growing business. At Applied, the Controller is a key member of a lean finance team and plays a hands-on role in maintaining accuracy, strengthening controls, and improving systems. This position owns financial reporting, job cost accounting, internal controls, and audit readiness, while also helping shape the finance organization, processes, and systems needed to support Applied's aggressive growth plans. This role is designed for an experienced finance professional who values ownership, accountability, and continuous improvement and who understands that in a small team, strong leadership includes direct execution.

WHAT YOU'RE ACCOUNTABILE FOR

Financial Reporting & Close Lead and participate in monthly, quarterly, and annual financial close activities, ensuring accuracy, timeliness, and consistency. Prepare, review, and analyze financial statements, reconciliations, and supporting schedules. Ensure financial reporting is reliable, compliant, and useful for leadership decision-making. Maintain visibility into cash flow, banking activity, and working capital. Provide financial insight and analysis that supports EBITDA growth, margin improvement, and operational performance. Accounting Execution Perform and review journal entries, account reconciliations, and manual adjustments as needed, particularly during close cycles or periods of increased workload. Provide support for day-to-day accounting tasks to ensure work is completed accurately and on time. Balance hands-on execution with oversight, maintaining strong controls while remaining engaged in the details. Provide hands-on support and oversight for accounts payable and accounts receivable activities as needed to ensure accuracy, timeliness, and continuity of operations. Identify opportunities to streamline, automate, and improve transactional processes over time. Job Cost Accounting & Operational Support Own and continuously improve job cost accounting processes to support margin analysis, operational accountability, and project-level decision-making. Partner with operations to ensure accurate timekeeping, cost allocation, and job-level reporting. Use job cost data to identify trends, risks, and improvement opportunities across the business. Internal Controls, Compliance & Audits Design, maintain, and strengthen internal controls to support financial integrity, risk management, and audit readiness. Support government accounting requirements, including periodic compliance activities and coordination of government audits and reviews, as applicable. Serve as the primary point of contact for external auditors, tax advisors, and regulatory agencies. Ensure compliance with GAAP, IRS, and DCMA standards

• no surprises here.

ERP Implementation & Process Improvement Play a leadership role in the implementation, optimization, and ongoing use of the Acumatica ERP system. Ensure ERP configuration, data integrity, and reporting capabilities support job costing, compliance, and scalable operations. Champion process standardization, automation, and continuous improvement across finance and accounting workflows. Forecasting, Budgeting, & Planning Partner with leadership to develop budgets, forecasts, and financial analyses that support planning, EBITDA performance, and growth. Monitor performance against plans and provide proactive insights to support informed decision-making. Finance Team Leadership & Scalability Provide direct oversight, coaching, and development of the Accounting Associate responsible for accounts payable and accounts receivable. Act as an active working partner within the accounting function to ensure accuracy, accountability, and timely execution. Evaluate finance team structure, roles, and processes, and recommend changes needed to support Applied's growth strategy.

WHAT SUCCESS LOOKS LIKE

Financial reporting and close processes are accurate, timely, and well-controlled. Transactional accounting work is completed efficiently without sacrificing quality. Job cost accounting provides clear, actionable insight into margins and performance. Audits and reviews are well-managed, with strong preparation and no surprises. ERP systems and processes support efficiency, visibility, and scalability. The finance team operates with accountability, collaboration, and a continuous improvement mindset.

QUALIFICATIONS

Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field; CPA strongly preferred. 8-10 + years of progressive accounting and finance experience, including hands-on general ledger and job cost accounting in a manufacturing environment. Experience leading financial close, reporting, internal controls, and audits. ERP experience required; Acumatica experience a plus. Strong working knowledge of GAAP and government accounting requirements. Comfortable operating in an environment where priorities evolve and structure continues to mature. Advanced Excel skills and strong analytical capabilities. High integrity, sound judgment, and commitment to continuous improvement. Must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident due to ITAR regulations.

WHO YOU'LL WORK WITH

You'll report directly to the Chief Financial Officer and work closely with executive leadership, operations, and cross-functional teams. As a key member of a small finance team, this role plays a critical part in maintaining financial discipline while helping the company scale.

WHY YOU'LL LOVE WORKING HERE

Applied Companies is a Veteran-Founded, Woman-Owned business that designs and manufactures ruggedized Environmental Control Systems and Pressure Vessels for tactical military systems. Since 1958, we've been driven by our core values: Dedicated to People & the Mission Driven to Excel

• Find the Path to Yes! Collaboration is Our Core We Take Ownership Every Day, We Improve We offer competitive pay, comprehensive medical/dental/vision benefits, a generous 401(k) match, profit sharing, and
• best of all
• a team that genuinely enjoys working together.

Job Type:

Full-time Pay:

$145,000.00

• $170,000.

00 per year

Benefits:

401(k) 401(k) 4% Match Dental insurance Disability insurance Employee assistance program Flexible spending account Health insurance Life insurance Paid time off Referral program Tuition reimbursement Vision insurance

Work Location:

Hybrid remote in Valencia, CA 91355