Controller

NU Advisory Partners has been retained to lead the search for a Controller for a venture-backed advanced hardware technology company at a critical inflection point, transitioning from development into commercial-scale manufacturing. Reporting to the CFO, the Controller will take ownership of the accounting function and build the infrastructure, systems, and team needed to support that transition. This is a build role for an operator who thrives on complexity, thinks in systems, and can elevate an accounting function from solid execution to genuine operational leadership. In‑office five days per week in Los Angeles is required. Key Responsibilities Accounting Operations and Close Run a close process that is fast, reliable, and repeatable as the business scales in headcount, products, and geographic complexity Produce financial statements that are accurate, complete, and GAAP‑compliant at every close cycle Establish an internal controls environment designed to hold up under audit and withstand the compliance demands of a growing government revenue stream Manage the external audit relationship from end to end, keeping the company audit‑ready year‑round rather than scrambling when fieldwork begins Cost Accounting and Manufacturing Finance Create the company's cost accounting discipline from scratch: program tracking, inventory management, and the bill of materials structure needed to understand what it truly costs to build hardware Give leadership real visibility into cost structure, margin, and unit economics across product programs as the business moves from prototype to production volume Work with operations and supply chain to ensure purchasing and receiving workflows produce clean, reliable cost data that finance can actually use Financial Compliance and Treasury Manage the company's full tax compliance picture, working with outside advisors on R&D credits, multi‑state nexus, and applicable government incentive programs Keep cash management running cleanly: cash positioning, banking relationships, and deployment of operating reserves within approved guidelines Position the function to meet the compliance expectations of a growing government business, including the audit and documentation standards that government and agency contracting requires Systems and Infrastructure Build Take the lead on the ERP implementation from requirements definition through go‑live and stabilization, ensuring the system reflects how the business actually operates Move the company from a patchwork of startup‑era tools to an integrated, audit‑ready environment that supports manufacturing scale, regulatory reporting, and investor scrutiny Partner with operational teams to build the process habits around the new system that make the implementation stick and keep data quality high over time Team and Cross‑Functional Leadership Build out the accounting team, set clear standards, and invest in developing each person into a stronger contributor over time Operate as a genuine financial thought partner to engineering, operations, and supply chain, turning accounting data into forward‑looking decisions rather than backward‑looking reports Create the operating environment where a technical company can move fast and stay financially disciplined at the same time, without adding overhead that gets in the way Qualifications & Experience CPA with deep technical accounting knowledge across the monthly close, financial reporting, internal controls, and complex accounting matters Prior experience as a Controller with end‑to‑end responsibility for both the accounting function and the team running it Hands‑on background building cost accounting discipline in a hardware or physical manufacturing environment Proven ability to navigate and lead an ERP implementation, especially moving an organization from fragmented startup‑era tools to an enterprise system Comfortable in ambiguous, rapidly evolving organizations: brings structure and prioritization rather than waiting for both Strong people manager: develops talent, builds accountability into the team, and communicates without sugarcoating Effective partner to engineering, operations, and supply chain counterparts, not just a reporter of historical numbers Experience in founder‑led or technically complex organizations; adapts to the pace and culture without friction Background in hardware manufacturing, deep tech, aerospace, or defense‑adjacent industries is a plus Familiarity with government contracting audit and compliance standards (DCAA readiness, FAR compliance) is a plus Exposure to long‑duration capital programs or project‑based cost tracking is a plus #J-18808-Ljbffr NU Advisory Partners