Financial Controller

Job Description

Job Description

About Electra:

At Electra, we're pioneering sustainable aviation by developing hybrid-electric Ultra Short Takeoff and Landing aircraft designed to transform regional air mobility, by making air travel more efficient, quieter, and environmentally friendly. Able to operate from soccer field-sized spaces, our Ultra Short unlocks a new era of aviation through what we call Direct Aviation - the next level of connectivity bringing air travel closer to where we live, work, and play. Headquartered in Northern Virginia, with additional locations in Switzerland, we're building a diverse team of global professionals passionate about redefining the future of aviation.

Primary Purpose:
Electra.aero, a next-gen aerospace technology company, seeks a dynamic and energetic Controller . As part of the Finance leadership team, you will play a critical role in assuring that we meet internal and external expectations. This is a high-impact, high-visibility position with exposure to Electra's senior leadership team.

Responsibilities & Essential Functions:

• Leading the accounting function through the transition from a pre-revenue, R&D-centric phase into full commercial operations -- including implementing new revenue recognition practices, managing inventory accounting, and supporting margin-focused performance metrics.
• Oversee full-cycle accounting department operations: G/L, A/P, A/R, credit & collections, payroll, tax (income, sales, and property), treasury, and stock expensing.
• Define and direct a tight, repeatable month-end close process and prepare monthly consolidated financial statements, including reconciliation of intercompany accounts.
• Work closely with FP&A to understand variances to budget and forecast, and to design scalable, repeatable processes and systems to provide leadership with actionable financial data and insights.
• Continually evaluate and improve accounting systems and processes, striving for process automation, improved accuracy, and higher internal customer satisfaction.
• Manage outsourced accountants for general accounting, payroll, tax, and compliance.
• Help select and manage outside auditors for annual external audit, both US and international.
• Manage US and international annual filings for corporate income tax, sales tax, and property tax; responsible for worldwide tax compliance.
• Supervise, develop, and mentor the accounting team; establish and review team goals.
• Establish strong relationships with inter-departmental peers and be their go-to accounting resource.
• Other Duties as assigned.

Qualifications & Required Skills

• A strong work ethic and ability to independently meet and lead the areas described in the responsibilities and essential functions.
• Active-status CPA license.
• Experience with a national accounting firm.
• Deep familiarity with cost accounting, standard costing systems, and product margin tracking to support manufacturing ramp-up and commercial sales.
• Experience scaling manufacturing operations; you know what will be needed, and can plan for it, sell it internally, and drive it.
• Track record of scaling accounting infrastructure and teams to support rapid growth.
• Experience with capitalization policies related to R&D, tooling, and internal-use software.
• ERP selection and transition experience, with the scars to prove it.
• Experience with DCAA accounting and reporting obligations for T&M, FFP, and Cost Plus contracts.
• Experience setting up accounting for foreign subsidiaries and managing intercompany transactions and elimination entries.
• Must be hands-on and a proven and effective leader. Garner trust and loyalty from your team.
• Advanced understanding of Excel for financial modeling, proficient in Word and PowerPoint.
• Excellent verbal and written communication, as well as presentation skills. Confidently and effectively communicate at all levels across Electra.
• We know the confidence gap and impostor syndrome can get in the way of meeting spectacular candidates. Please don't hesitate to apply.

Minimum Education and Experience:

• Minimum 15 years progressively responsible accounting and finance experience, with a minimum of 5 years in manufacturing (aerospace preferred) and 5 years as a controller or higher position.
• A Bachelor's degree in Finance, Accounting, or Business.

Additional Desired Skills:

• Master's Degree/MBA preferred.
• Experience with Unanet, SAP Hana, Netsuite, IFS
• Public company experience
• US Person (Citizen or Green Card) Preferred

Working Conditions:

• Work is typically performed in a warehouse/aviation and office environment, which requires proper safety precautions. Work may require some physical effort in handling light materials, boxes, power tools, prototypes, various materials, or equipment. Due to the nature of the projects, some fieldwork may be required, working in both indoor and outdoor conditions. May need to lift up to 50 lbs.

Location: HQ in Manassas, VA. To encourage close collaboration on a complex program, this position requires daily onsite office hours.
Travel: <25%, Domestic & International Travel
The above job description is not intended to be, nor should it be construed as, exhaustive of all responsibilities, skills, efforts, or working conditions associated with the job.

Salary: Electra's salary range for this position is:
Our salary ranges reflect the minimum and maximum range for the Company level overall across all locations & projects and does not necessarily reflect the budgeted amount for this position. Individual pay is based on additional factors, including project budgets, job-related skills, experience, relevant education and/or training, role, level, location, and project.

Compensation and Benefits

In addition to offering an exciting work environment and the opportunity to be part of the team making Ultra Short flight a reality, at Electra, we offer an unparalleled total rewards package. Electra offers employees a comprehensive benefits package including medical, dental, vision, STD, LTD, and life insurance, generous PTO and sick leave, company holidays, paid winter break, and a 401(k) plan with immediate vesting. Life at Electra includes a variety of perks, such as free catered lunches, amazing coffee, snacks, drinks, fruit, free parking, and opportunities for much more.

Working Conditions

Work is typically performed in a warehouse/aviation and office environment, which requires proper safety precautions. Work may require some physical effort in handling light materials, boxes, power tools, prototypes, and different materials or equipment. Due to the nature of our business and projects, some fieldwork may be required, working in both indoor and outdoor conditions. You may need to lift up to 50 lbs.

Background & Drug Screening

Successful completion of a background check and/or drug screening prior to starting work may be required for this position.

Commitment

We are committed to fostering diversity and inclusivity, and we encourage individuals from all backgrounds, including those from marginalized or underrepresented groups in the tech industry and aerospace, to apply for our job openings. We firmly believe that a diverse range of perspectives can profoundly influence both our product and our company culture.

Electra is committed to a work environment that is inclusive to all and free of discrimination. It is our policy to be an equal opportunity employer without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, genetic predisposition or carrier status, veteran status, citizenship status, or any other factors prohibited by law. Electra will provide reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals.

Electra is an E-Verify employer.