Senior Manager, Accounting

Senior Manager, Accounting

Torrance, California, United States

At Valar Atomics, we're redefining what's possible in energy. Our mission is to make clean, high-temperature nuclear power scalable—unlocking abundant energy for industry, hydrogen, and next-generation manufacturing. We are a team of builders, engineers, and operators who believe nuclear energy should be fast to deploy, factory-made, and built for the real world. Our first pilot plant in Orangeville, Utah will demonstrate how advanced nuclear systems and fuel fabrication can power the future. Joining Valar Atomics means becoming part of a company where autonomy, ownership, and impact exist at every level.

As part of the Business organization, Accounting ensures the financial integrity of Valar Atomics through accurate reporting, strong internal controls, and sound financial stewardship. The team supports strategic decision-making by delivering timely financial information while maintaining compliance with accounting standards and regulatory requirements.

We're seeking a hands-on, operationally minded Senior Manager of Accounting to help us build a world-class accounting function. This is a builder's seat, not a caretaker one: you'll own the month-end close end-to-end, evolve the GL and controls that scale with the business, and hire and develop the team that runs it. You'll grow the function as Valar scales, staying close enough to the ledger to own the hard close items yourself rather than delegating everything down. You anticipate issues early and create clarity from messy, incomplete information, and you build trust through consistency — delivering financials stakeholders rely on without needing to double-check. You partner closely with Finance, HR, Software & Systems, Warehousing, and Operations, connecting financial insight to what's actually happening across the business.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the month-end close end-to-end, including preparation and review of journal entries, account reconciliations, and flux and variance analysis to deliver accurate, timely financials against the close calendar.
• Own GL maintenance, evolving reporting segments and financial structure to meet the changing requirements of a growing business.
• Own fixed assets and construction-in-progress — capitalization policy, project-level cost tracking, depreciation judgments, and the R&D-versus-capitalizable calls that come with building physical infrastructure.
• Prepare internal reporting packages for leadership and investors, and support annual financial statement preparation and coordination with external auditors and tax advisors.
• Drive audit readiness and own technical accounting positions — equity and stock compensation (ASC 718), leases (ASC 842), revenue (ASC 606), and capitalization determination — documented in memos that stand up to auditor review.
• Identify and drive automation of accounting workflows, documenting desktop procedures, system relationships and architecture, and process and control narratives.
• Lead or support system implementations and expansions — ERP, AP automation, expense management, and beyond — building for audit readiness and scale rather than bolting on fixes later.
• Develop and maintain accounting policies and internal controls that give stakeholders accurate, trusted information to guide decisions.
• Manage, mentor, and develop the accounting team, and build out the roles, structure, and bench the function needs as Valar scales.
• Serve as the accounting expert for operational and technical matters — translating requirements clearly for non-finance partners.
• Bring a "no job too small" mindset, contributing to projects and initiatives that support the growth of the business within the general scope of the role.

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field.
• 8+ years of accounting experience, including hands-on ownership of the month-end close and financial reporting and analysis.
• 3+ years managing and developing accountants — assigning and reviewing their work, setting standards, and growing their capability over time — not solely project or matrix leadership.
• Demonstrated track record of building and scaling an accounting function: standing up processes, controls, and team structure where little existed before.
• Strong knowledge of US GAAP and general accounting principles.
• Hands-on experience with fixed assets and capitalization in a capital-intensive, hardware, or manufacturing environment, and comfort researching and documenting technical accounting positions independently.
• Experience at a startup, high-growth company, or similarly fast-paced environment.
• Proficiency with accounting software (e.g., QuickBooks, NetSuite, Ramp) and Microsoft Excel, Word, and PowerPoint.
• You are a self-starter with excellent organizational skills and a high tolerance for ambiguity, and you communicate effectively across teams.

Preferred Skills and Experience

• Licensed CPA.
• Experience supporting or leading an ERP or systems implementation.
• Exposure to cost accounting in a manufacturing or inventory-intensive environment.
• Exposure to a VC-backed company and familiarity with investor reporting requirements.
• Background in public accounting (Big 4 or regional firm).
• Experience supporting external audits or audit preparation.

What We Offer

• Competitive base salary
• Equity ownership in a rapidly growing advanced energy company
• Comprehensive medical benefits
• Unlimited PTO
• Free daily lunch and dinner provided onsite
• Generous PPE stipend
• High-impact startup environment with significant ownership and autonomy
• Opportunities for rapid career growth and internal advancement
• Direct collaboration with experienced operators, engineers, and industry leaders
• The opportunity to help build and scale transformative energy technology from the ground up

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

Valar Atomics is an equal opportunity employer. We consider all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other protected status under applicable law.

We are committed to providing a workplace free of discrimination and harassment and will provide reasonable accommodation as required by law.

Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States as a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident (green card holder).

Salary

$155,000 - $205,000 USD