Controller (US)

US Controller

Finance · Washington, DC · Full-time · Reports to: VP Finance

Description

Kela is a defense technology startup building a secure, open platform that integrates commercial and military systems in service of Western defense. Our command & control and data infrastructure systems combine diverse sensors and AI to deliver real-time battlefield intelligence.

Kela is a global, multi-entity group. We are looking for an experienced Controller, our first finance hire in the US, to own the US entity's accounting end-to-end: from bookings and revenue through expenses, payroll, and cost accounting to income and multi-state sales tax. You will report to the VP Finance and build the US accounting function from the ground up.

Responsibilities

• Own the monthly and annual close for the US entity: balance sheet and P&L review, analytical reviews, and input into the consolidated financial statements across Kela's entities.
• Own revenue end-to-end: bookings, revenue recognition, deferred revenue, invoicing, and collections, reconciled against orders, contracts, and delivery milestones.
• Own the expense side: accounts payable, payroll, and employee expenses, together with cost accounting for our hardware and software operations (COGS, inventory costing, and manufacturing-related costs).
• Own US tax: federal and state income tax provisions, filings, and estimated payments, and multi-state sales and use tax compliance, including nexus analysis, registrations, filings, and audits, with our external advisors.
• Build the US accounting infrastructure, including systems, processes, and controls, and lead the annual audit alongside the VP Finance and external auditors.
• Partner with sales, delivery, and program teams on accurate order and billing data, and provide professional guidance to the bookkeeping staff, so the business is properly reflected in the Company's financial statements.
• Communicate on an ongoing basis with other departments to understand the business and ensure it is properly reflected in the Company's financial statements.

Requirements

• Licensed CPA with a bachelor's degree in accounting
• 5+ years as a Controller or Senior Accounting Manager, with hands-on ownership of a full accounting cycle
• Strong hands-on experience with US corporate income tax and multi-state sales/use tax
• Experience at a company with both hardware and software operations, including manufacturing/inventory environments
• Expert-level Microsoft Excel and hands-on ERP experience; NetSuite
• Hard worker, detail-oriented and organized, comfortable owning processes end-to-end in a fast-paced environment, and able to handle sensitive information with discretion
• Big 4 audit background, growth-stage company (50+ employees), defense or hardware sector experience – A plus
• Hebrew-speaking – A plus