Accounting Manager

Job Description

Job Description

It's your career... give it wings!

Who we are and where we are going:

Ascent Aviation Services is one of the largest aviation maintenance, repair, overhaul, storage and reclamation operations in the world. Our strength comes from our talented and professional employees who excel through teamwork and enthusiasm. Ascent Aviation Services continues to grow and are continually looking for motivated and career-minded aviation professionals who will support our vision and goals. 

The Accounting Manager is a hands-on accounting leader responsible for overseeing the month-end close, project revenue and cost accounting, lease accounting, and financial reporting. This role serves as the team’s technical accounting resource, ensuring accuracy, strong internal controls, and audit readiness while leading and developing assigned accounting staff. Reporting to the Controller and working closely with the CFO, this position partners with FP&A and Operations to translate complex financial and operational data into reliable reporting and actionable insights.

In this role, you will embody our core values of Respect, Safety, Quality, and Results , contributing directly to the strength of our team. With the launch of our 777 program and two new hangars, Ascent is experiencing rapid growth. This position is instrumental in achieving our goals and fulfilling our mission of becoming the most trusted aerospace solutions provider in North America.

DUTIES/RESPONSIBILITIES:   

Project revenue and cost accounting

• Own the accounting for long-duration MRO and aircraft conversion projects under ASC 606. Evaluate contract terms and performance obligations, determine when revenue is recognized over time, and independently prepare Ascent's monthly percentage-of-completion (PCM) revenue calculations and WIP schedules using an appropriate measure of progress for senior accounting review.
• Review actual costs, estimates at completion, costs to complete, project margins and forecast changes with Operations. Evaluate scope changes and ASA work orders for work outside the original statement of work, including customer approval and variable consideration; document significant judgments and revenue adjustments.
• Reconcile project schedules, unbilled WIP and other contract balances to the general ledger and customer billings. Investigate cost-coding, billing and margin variances, and escalate emerging project losses or collection issues promptly.
• Lease accounting and technical analysis

• Own the ASC 842 lease inventory for real estate, equipment and other arrangements. Assess new and modified agreements, lease classification, right-of-use assets and lease liabilities; maintain payment, amortization and disclosure schedules and reconcile them monthly.
• Research and document technical US GAAP positions, prepare clear accounting memoranda, and present significant judgments to the senior accounting leader and external auditors.

Close, controls and reporting

• Lead the monthly, quarterly and annual accounting close to support delivery of Ascent's monthly financial statements by Day+10 (business days). Review journal entries, accruals, balance-sheet reconciliations and financial statement variances before senior accounting leader review.
• Oversee assigned general ledger and project accounting processes, including AR/AP and payroll interfaces, inventory, fixed assets, customer deposits, intercompany activity and debt-related schedules. Maintain documented controls, clear reconciling items and preserve an audit trail.
• Provide validated accounting inputs to the 13-week cash forecast, especially invoiced AR, unbilled WIP, ASA work and recurring service streams; coordinate with the Senior Financial Analyst and AR team to prevent omissions and duplicate forecast items.

Audit, diligence and team leadership

• Prepare and review audit schedules and support; coordinate responses to auditors and provide reconciled accounting data for lender reporting, quality-of-earnings work and other sale preparation. 
• Set priorities, review work, and coach and evaluate assigned accounting team members in coordination with the senior accounting leader. Build technical depth in PCM revenue recognition and leases. Document standard procedures and cross-train backups so critical processes do not depend on one individual.
• During a vacancy in the senior accounting leadership role, lead day-to-day accounting operations, including the close, staff priorities and audit coordination; submit material technical judgments and external reporting to the CFO for approval.
• Identify, pilot and implement approved AI and automation tools in close, reconciliation, AR and AP workflows. Measure cycle time and accuracy gains while maintaining review, access and approval controls.

YOU WILL GET MORE THAN JUST COMPENSATION:

• 401K with Company Match
• Medical/Dental/Vision Insurance
• PTO - Eligible for 3 Weeks in your First Year, in Addition to 7 Paid Company Holidays
• Company-Provided Short-Term Disability, Long-Term Disability, and Life Insurance
• Development and Career Growth Opportunities

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting from an accredited institution.
• At least eight years of progressive accounting experience, including at least two years in an Accounting Manager or equivalent role leading staff and the monthly close in a mid-market privately held company or comparably complex project-based business. Candidates with seven years and proven PCM ownership will also be considered.
• Proven, hands-on responsibility for ASC 606 PCM revenue recognition on long-term projects: contract analysis, cost-to-cost or other appropriate progress measures, estimate-at-completion review, change orders and contract asset/liability reconciliations.
• Demonstrated end-to-end application of ASC 842, including operating and finance lease classification, right-of-use assets, lease liabilities, modifications, recurring entries, reconciliations and audit support.
• Strong US GAAP, month-end close, internal control and external audit experience; advanced Excel and ERP skills; ability to explain technical conclusions to operations leaders and senior finance staff.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Active CPA license strongly preferred. Accounting experience in aviation MRO, aerospace, construction, industrial services or another complex project-based business is highly valued.
• Experience in a private-equity-backed business or supporting quality-of-earnings or lender diligence.
• Experience implementing close automation or structured AI workflows.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:  

• Ability to sit or stand for extended periods.
• Occasional squatting, lifting, carrying, pushing, or pulling up to 20 pounds.

EQUIPMENT OPERATED:  

• Telephone, personal computer, multiple printers, copy machine, and shredder.
• May be required to operate additional office equipment not explicitly listed in this description as needed to perform job duties effectively. 

WORKING CONDITIONS:  

• This is a full-time role based in the Marana area, with occasional work at Ascent's Tucson facility
• Month-end close and audit may require additional hours  
• Employees follow Ascent's safety management system, report hazards and incidents, and uphold its values of Respect, Safety, Quality and Results.

OTHER DUTIES:  

• Additional duties may be assigned at the discretion of department management. 

SMS REQUIREMENTS:  

• Employees are responsible for performing their duties in accordance with company policies and government regulations. These rules are written in the interest of preserving the lives and the resources entrusted to each employee, and when the rules are violated, the risk of a mishap is usually increased.
• Employees shall participate in safety education programs and train to recognize hazards on the job and how to report them promptly. As a condition of employment, each member of Ascent Aviation agrees to report errors, incidents, and accidents honestly.
• An employee who observes an unsafe action or condition should bring it to the attention of supervisors and managers. Certain conditions may allow the employee to easily correct or condition a situation. 

Ascent Aviation Services is dedicated to fostering an inclusive work environment. We provide equal employment opportunities and are committed to making reasonable accommodation for qualified individuals with disabilities to enable them to perform the essential functions of their job. 

If you require any accommodation during the application or interview process, please let us know. EEO/AA/F/M/VET/DIS