Assistant Controller

The Nuclear Company is the fastest growing AI tech-enabled startup in the nuclear and energy space, pioneering a fleet-scale approach to building the next generation of nuclear reactors. Through our design-once, build-many model, we're accelerating the deployment of safe, reliable, and affordable nuclear energy.

We operate with an AI-first mindset. Every employee is expected to leverage AI, technology, and the Nuclear Operating System (NOS) as integral components of their role to improve the quality, speed, and impact of their work. We expect every team member to continuously identify opportunities to automate workflows, enhance decision-making, improve processes, and contribute to the ongoing evolution of NOS as a strategic operating capability that enables The Nuclear Company to scale with excellence.

We hire people who are driven by purpose, thrive in ambiguity, and are energized by building what has never been built before. Our team combines intellectual curiosity with high agency, embraces candid feedback and continuous learning, and holds themselves and others to exceptional standards. Our values—Transparency, Responsibility, Unity, Scrappiness, and Tenacity—guide how we hire, collaborate, and make decisions every day. They are not words on a wall; they are the standard by which we operate. TRUST is the foundation of our safety culture, fostering intellectual honesty, accountability, and open communication, while our values challenge every team member to execute with urgency, humility, resilience, and an unwavering commitment to our mission.

About the role

The Assistant Controller will play a critical, hands-on role in the organization’s daily accounting operations and financial reporting. Reporting to and working closely with the Controller, this position requires a strong working knowledge of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP), financial analysis, and internal control best practices.

The Assistant Controller will be instrumental in managing the month-end close process, assisting with the preparation of accurate financial statements, and ensuring compliance across transactional accounting activities. In addition, this position will support the accounting and reporting needs of the company’s growing nuclear services business segment.

This role provides an excellent opportunity to develop leadership skills, drive process efficiencies, and contribute to the continued growth of the finance function within a rapidly scaling organization.

**NOTE: This role can work a hybrid schedule out of our Washington, DC or Columbia, SC office. Candidates should be within commuting distance of one of these locations or open to relocation.

Role Responsibilities

• Financial Reporting Assistance: Assist in the preparation of accurate and timely financial statements, including balance sheets, income statements, and cash flow statements. Provide support for financial analysis projects and management reporting.
• Accounting Operations Execution: Manage the execution of specific accounting functions, such as overseeing the general ledger reconciliation process, reviewing accounts payable and accounts receivable, and ensuring the accuracy of complex journal entries.
• Month-End and Year-End Support: Execute key tasks within the month-end and year-end close processes, including managing accruals, preparing balance sheet reconciliations, and ensuring timely completion of close activities.
• Internal Controls and Compliance: Help maintain and enforce effective internal controls across accounting operations. Support the documentation and testing of controls to ensure compliance with financial regulations and company policies.
• Budgeting and Forecasting Support: Provide supporting data and analysis for annual budgeting and ongoing forecasting processes. Track departmental spending and assist with variance analysis.
• Nuclear Services Segment Support: Support the accounting and reporting needs of the company’s growing nuclear services business segment. Assist with project/job cost tracking, services revenue recognition, and segment-level reporting and analysis.
• Audit Coordination: Serve as a key resource during internal and external financial audits, preparing requested documentation and schedules.
• Process Improvement: Identify and implement improvements to accounting processes, systems utilization, and documentation to increase efficiency and accuracy.

Required Experience

• Experience: Typically 6–8+ years of progressive accounting experience, with the depth of experience and demonstrated capabilities being more important than years alone. Exposure to corporate and/or public accounting environments is preferred.
• Education: Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field.
• Technical Knowledge: Strong understanding of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) and financial reporting standards.
• Software Proficiency: Proficiency with accounting software and ERP systems, along with advanced Microsoft Excel skills.
• Analytical Skills: Demonstrated ability to perform financial analysis, interpret financial data, and prepare detailed account reconciliations.

Nice to Have

• CPA certification or actively pursuing CPA certification
• Start-up or high-growth company experience
• Power, energy, or utility industry experience
• Experience supporting large capital expenditure projects
• ERP implementation experience
• Services or project-based revenue recognition and job cost accounting experience
• Audit process implementation experience
• Big 4 public accounting experience
• Exposure to public-company reporting requirements

You May Be a Fit If You Have:

• Proven experience supporting a consistent, accurate month-end close process and can point to examples of improving close timelines, handoffs, or overall execution.
• A track record of digging into financial results, reconciliations, and accounting issues to identify discrepancies and resolve problems at the source.
• Experience building, documenting, or improving accounting processes and internal controls in an evolving environment.
• Examples of identifying and implementing process or system improvements that increased accuracy, visibility, or efficiency.
• Experience translating financial information into clear, useful insights that support business decision-making.
• A practical, solutions-oriented approach to problem-solving—you use the data available, determine the best path forward, and execute.
• Comfort operating in a hands-on environment where you may need to build a process, improve an existing one, or jump into the details to get something across the finish line.
• A strong appreciation for financial controls and accounting discipline while still looking for ways to make processes more efficient and scalable.
• A desire to contribute to a mission-driven organization working to bring reliable, clean baseload nuclear power to the world.

Benefits

• Competitive compensation packages
• 401k with company match
• Medical, dental, vision plans
• Generous vacation policy, plus holidays

Estimated Starting Salary Range
The estimated starting salary range for this role is $118,000 - $140,000 annually less applicable withholdings and deductions, paid on a bi-weekly basis. The actual salary offered may vary based on relevant factors as determined in the Company’s discretion, which may include experience, qualifications, tenure, skill set, availability of qualified candidates, geographic location, certifications held, and other criteria deemed pertinent to the particular role.

EEO Statement
The Nuclear Company is an equal opportunity employer committed to fostering an environment of inclusion in the workplace. We provide equal employment opportunities to all qualified applicants and employees without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other protected characteristic. We prohibit discrimination in all aspects of employment, including hiring, promotion, demotion, transfer, compensation, and termination.