Controller

Lead the preparation of monthly, quarterly, and annual consolidated financial statements in accordance with U.S. GAAP.

Own the company’s close process, ensuring timely, accurate, and scalable financial reporting while continuously improving close timelines, process quality, and operational efficiency.

Oversee general ledger activity, account reconciliations, consolidation processes, and overall financial statement integrity.

Develop and deliver high-quality financial reporting packages for executive leadership, the Board stakeholders, and, as applicable, Audit Committee audiences.

Establish reporting standards, review mechanisms, and operating rhythms that support accuracy, accountability, and executive-level decision-making.

Serve as the company’s senior technical accounting leader, owning accounting policies, technical memos, and conclusions across complex areas including revenue recognition under ASC 606, inventory, leases under ASC 842, stock-based compensation, business combinations, and other areas as the company scales.

Monitor, assess, and lead implementation of new accounting pronouncements and evolving reporting requirements.

Advise the CFO and executive leadership on the accounting implications of strategic initiatives, transactions, customer contracts, financing activities, acquisitions, and new business models.

Partner with Legal, FP&A, Operations, Supply Chain, and external advisors to ensure accounting positions are well-documented, supportable, and aligned with company objectives.

Build financial reporting processes, documentation, and governance practices aligned with public-company standards and increasing external scrutiny.

Partner with external auditors, legal counsel, and other advisors on complex reporting, disclosure, and compliance matters.

Contribute to the company’s readiness for enhanced external reporting requirements, including preparation for future liquidity events, large-scale financing, public-company expectations, or other significant corporate milestones.

Support the preparation of materials for Board and Audit Committee engagement, including financial reporting updates, audit matters, control environment updates, and key accounting judgments.

Serve as the primary executive liaison for external auditors, managing the annual audit and any interim or quarterly review processes.

Ensure audit readiness through disciplined documentation, strong accounting processes, timely issue resolution, and a proactive approach to auditor engagement.

Oversee tax compliance in partnership with external providers, including federal, state, local, and international filings as applicable.

Ensure accounting and reporting processes are designed to support compliance with regulatory, contractual, and government contracting requirements where applicable.

Design, implement, and maintain a scalable internal control framework that supports the company’s growth, operational complexity, and reporting obligations.

Partner with Internal Audit or equivalent functions to identify key risks, evaluate control effectiveness, and ensure appropriate mitigation strategies are in place.

Continuously evaluate and strengthen business process controls across accounting, payroll, procurement, inventory, financial reporting, and related workflows.

Drive a culture of compliance, accountability, and strong financial stewardship across the organization.

Build, lead, and mentor a high-performing accounting organization capable of supporting the company through its next stages of growth.

Develop the accounting team structure, hiring roadmap, operating model, and career progression pathways aligned with business needs.

Establish a culture of ownership, accuracy, continuous improvement, and operational excellence.

Balance executive-level leadership with hands-on execution, particularly in areas where processes, systems, or teams are still being built.

Serve as a trusted partner to the CFO and executive team on accounting strategy, organizational design, risk management, and financial infrastructure.

Partner closely with FP&A to support forecasting, budgeting, performance analysis, and executive reporting.

Collaborate with Legal on contracts, compliance matters, equity compensation, corporate governance, and transaction support.

Work with Operations and Supply Chain on inventory accounting, cost accounting, manufacturing processes, and operational reporting.

Support executive leadership with timely financial insights, reporting, and analysis that inform strategic decisions.

Partner with HR on payroll, equity compensation, headcount planning, and related accounting processes.

Act as a senior Finance partner across the organization, translating accounting and control requirements into practical, scalable business processes.

Evaluate, implement, and optimize ERP and financial systems, including NetSuite or equivalent platforms.

Drive automation, data integrity, and scalability across accounting workflows, reporting processes, close activities, reconciliations, and financial operations.

Ensure alignment between financial systems, operational systems, and reporting requirements.

Lead system upgrades, integrations, and process redesign efforts as the company scales.

Establish financial systems infrastructure that supports auditability, operational efficiency, and executive-level visibility.

Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field; CPA required.

12+ years of progressive accounting and finance experience, including senior leadership experience within a complex or high-growth environment.

7+ years of people management experience, including experience building, leading, and scaling accounting teams.

Prior experience operating in a public-company environment or similarly complex, highly regulated reporting environment.

Deep expertise in U.S. GAAP, technical accounting, financial reporting, consolidations, and internal controls.

Proven experience designing, implementing, and scaling internal control frameworks.

Strong experience managing external audits and serving as the senior point of contact for external auditors.

Demonstrated ability to lead in fast-paced, high-growth environments with increasing operational and reporting complexity.

Strong executive presence, sound judgment, and the ability to communicate effectively with senior leadership, Board stakeholders, auditors, and external advisors.

Big 4 public accounting background.

Experience supporting a company through a significant liquidity event, large-scale financing, acquisition, public-company readiness process, or transition to a more complex reporting environment.

Experience in defense technology, aerospace, manufacturing, hardware, SaaS, or hardware-enabled software environments.

Strong background in inventory accounting, cost accounting, and manufacturing-related accounting processes.

Experience with international entities, consolidations, and multi-entity structures.

ERP implementation or optimization experience; NetSuite strongly preferred.

Familiarity with government contracting requirements and related compliance frameworks.

Experience building accounting functions in founder-led, venture-backed, or private-equity-backed companies.

The successful Controller will be a strategic, hands-on finance executive who can build structure, improve rigor, and lead the accounting function through scale.

This person will bring a builder mindset, strong technical judgment, and a bias toward action. They will be highly organized, detail-oriented, and process-driven, with the ability to create clarity in ambiguous environments.

They will be a trusted partner to the CFO, executive team, and cross-functional leaders, capable of influencing at all levels while maintaining the highest standards of integrity, accuracy, and quality.

Key attributes include: Strategic thinker with strong execution capability Hands-on leader with a “roll up your sleeves” mentality Highly organized, detail-oriented, and process-oriented Strong communicator with executive and Board-level presence Builder mindset with experience creating scalable infrastructure from the ground up High integrity and commitment to financial accuracy, compliance, and quality Results-oriented leader with a track record of scaling teams, systems, and processes Comfortable operating in environments with increasing external scrutiny and reporting expectations Strong collaborator who can partner across Finance, Legal, HR, Operations, Supply Chain, and executive leadership

Strategic thinker with strong execution capability

Hands-on leader with a “roll up your sleeves” mentality

Highly organized, detail-oriented, and process-oriented

Strong communicator with executive and Board-level presence

Builder mindset with experience creating scalable infrastructure from the ground up

High integrity and commitment to financial accuracy, compliance, and quality

Results-oriented leader with a track record of scaling teams, systems, and processes

Comfortable operating in environments with increasing external scrutiny and reporting expectations

Strong collaborator who can partner across Finance, Legal, HR, Operations, Supply Chain, and executive leadership

Assess the current accounting organization, systems, close process, reporting cadence, controls environment, and team capabilities.

Identify gaps in financial reporting, audit readiness, internal controls, systems infrastructure, and scalability relative to best-in-class standards.

Develop and begin executing a roadmap to strengthen the close process, improve reporting quality, and accelerate monthly and quarterly reporting timelines.

Establish a prioritized internal controls and audit-readiness roadmap, including documentation standards, control ownership, and key risk areas.

Build strong relationships with the CFO, executive team, cross-functional partners, external auditors, tax advisors, and other key stakeholders.

Develop a team structure and hiring plan to scale the accounting organization in alignment with company growth.

Evaluate ERP and financial systems infrastructure and define a roadmap for optimization, automation, or implementation.

Create a clear operating rhythm for accounting, reporting, audit preparation, controls, and cross-functional finance support.

Innovation: We are driven to break new ground. Every day presents an opportunity to challenge the status quo, think boldly, and deliver advanced solutions that transform the future of defense technology.

Integrity: We hold ourselves to the highest ethical standards, ensuring transparency, accountability, and trust in all our actions and partnerships.

Mission-Driven: We are focused on achieving impactful outcomes that align with our core mission—protecting lives through innovation.

Forward-Leaning: We continuously seek out new opportunities and remain at the forefront of technological advancements. We embrace change and anticipate the challenges of tomorrow with confidence and creativity.

Ownership of All Tasks: At HavocAI, no problem is too complex or too trivial. We believe that greatness comes from tackling the hardest challenges, but also in handling the smallest, sometimes thankless, tasks with the same level of commitment and care.

Servant Leadership: We lead by serving others, whether it’s supporting our employees, partners, or the broader community. Empowering those around us is key to achieving long-term success and making a lasting impact.

HavocAI is an Equal Opportunity Employer and is committed to creating an inclusive and diverse workplace. We welcome applicants from all backgrounds and do not discriminate based on race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, age, national origin, disability, veteran status, or any other legally protected status.