Chief Accounting Officer

Job Description Job Description Our client is a rapidly growing, private equity-backed government contractor headquartered in Leesburg, Virginia. The company operates in secure environments supporting critical government missions and is entering an exciting phase of growth and value creation. Why This Role? This is an opportunity to step into a highly visible leadership position within a growing private equity-backed government contractor. The successful candidate will have the opportunity to shape the accounting organization, mentor future leaders, partner directly with executive leadership, and play a meaningful role in preparing the company for its next chapter of growth. Position Summary The Director of Accounting / Chief Accounting Officer will serve as the senior accounting leader for the organization and a key member of the finance leadership team. Reporting directly to the Chief Financial Officer, this individual will be responsible for leading the accounting organization, developing staff, overseeing the monthly close and reporting processes, strengthening internal controls, and helping prepare the company for future strategic transactions. The successful candidate will provide leadership, mentorship, and organizational oversight while helping develop the next generation of accounting leadership within the company. The ideal candidate is a seasoned accounting executive who enjoys building teams, creating accountability, developing talent, and serving as a trusted business partner to executive leadership. Key Responsibilities Leadership & Team Development - Lead, mentor, and develop the accounting organization - Serve as direct manager and coach to the Assistant Controller and broader accounting team - Build organizational depth, succession planning, and leadership capabilities within the department - Conduct regular accounting leadership meetings and establish accountability throughout the team - Foster a culture of collaboration, ownership, continuous improvement, and professional development Accounting Operations - Oversee all accounting operations and monthly close activities - Ensure timely, accurate, and efficient financial reporting - Review monthly financial results and reporting packages prepared by the accounting and FP&A teams - Maintain strong internal controls and accounting processes - Drive process improvements and operational efficiencies across the accounting function - Partner with finance leadership to support continued organizational growth Private Equity & Executive Reporting - Support reporting requirements associated with private equity ownership - Ensure high-quality financial information is delivered to executive leadership, investors, and lenders - Participate in board and investor reporting processes - Help establish scalable reporting and control structures appropriate for a growing platform company Strategic Initiatives & Transaction Readiness - Partner closely with the CFO in scaling the accounting function for growth - Support due diligence activities related to acquisitions, integrations, financing transactions, and eventual exit preparation - Assist with accounting and operational readiness for strategic transactions - Build a finance and accounting infrastructure capable of supporting continued growth Industry & Compliance Support - Provide accounting leadership within a government contracting environment - Understand the unique characteristics of government contracting, including long-term contracts, secure environments, confidentiality requirements, and customer expectations - Maintain eligibility for a security clearance if required - Support compliance with company, customer, and contractual requirements Qualifications - Bachelor's degree in Accounting or Finance required - CPA required - 15+ years of progressive accounting leadership experience - Experience leading accounting teams in growing organizations - Experience within government contracting, aerospace & defense, national security, or similarly regulated industries preferred - Prior experience working in a private equity-backed company preferred - Demonstrated success developing and mentoring accounting professionals - Strong leadership, communication, and organizational skills - Experience supporting M&A activity, due diligence, integrations, or transaction readiness initiatives preferred - Ability to operate effectively in a fast-paced, entrepreneurial environment Personal Characteristics - Leadership-first mindset with a passion for developing people - Strong executive presence and ability to influence across the organization - Hands-on when necessary but focused on building scalable processes and teams - Collaborative partner to the CFO and executive leadership team - High integrity and discretion in handling sensitive information - Comfortable operating in an environment preparing for significant growth and future transaction activity