Principal Accountant

Job description

***Please Note:**To conform with the United States Government Space Technology Export Regulations, the applicant must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident of the U.S., conditional resident, asylee or refugee (protected individuals as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3)), or eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State.* At **CesiumAstro**, we are developers and pioneers of out-of-the-box communication systems for satellites, UAVs, launch vehicles, and other space and airborne platforms. We take pride in our dynamic and cross-functional work environment, which allows us to learn, develop, and engage across our organization. If you are looking for hands-on, interactive, and autonomous work, CesiumAstro is the place for you. We are actively seeking passionate, collaborative, energetic, and forward-thinking individuals to join our team. We are looking to add a **Principal Accountant, Financial Reporting & Technical Accounting** to our team.  If you enjoy working in a startup environment and are passionate about making an impact in a growing company, we would like to hear from you. In this position, you will be an individual-contributor responsible for owning the Company's internal and external financial reporting, technical accounting, accounting policy, and related compliance activities. This position serves as the organization's most senior individual-contributor authority on complex U.S. GAAP and SEC reporting matters. The role has principal responsibility for the Company's quarterly and annual financial reporting processes, including preparation and review of Forms 10-Q, 10-K, 8-K and related disclosures, financial statements, footnotes, MD&A, earnings releases, supporting schedules, and other external reporting requirements. The role also leads the evaluation and documentation of complex, judgmental, and often first-of-their-kind accounting matters, drives development and maintenance of accounting policy, leads implementation of new accounting standards, advances public-company readiness initiatives, and acts as a senior advisor to management on complicated technical accounting and reporting positions in coordination with external auditors, legal counsel, accounting advisors, and other stakeholders. The position requires advanced technical accounting judgment, deep SEC reporting expertise, comprehensive knowledge of U.S. GAAP, SOX and internal controls, excellent technical writing and communication skills, and the ability to operate as an internal authority within a complex, fast-paced aerospace/defense environment. ### JOB DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES - Own and direct the Company's quarterly and annual SEC reporting process, including Forms 10-Q, 10-K, 8-K and other applicable SEC filings, serving as the principal technical authority on filing content. - Own the financial reporting calendar and coordinate deliverables across Accounting, FP&A, Legal, Tax, Treasury, Human Resources, Operations, Investor Relations, and other relevant functions. - Lead the preparation and review of financial statements, footnotes, MD&A, supporting schedules, selected financial data, and other SEC disclosures. - Ensure financial reporting is accurate, complete, timely, and compliant with U.S. GAAP, SEC requirements, Regulation S-X, Regulation S-K, and applicable accounting standards. - Serve as the principal evaluator of financial reporting and disclosure implications associated with significant transactions, business developments, strategic initiatives, and changes in the Company's operations. - Direct analytical reviews of quarterly and annual financial results and independently resolve significant, unusual, or unexpected fluctuations. - Lead the assessment of gaps between the Company's existing financial reporting processes and public-company requirements and drive remediation plans to closure. - Establish scalable financial reporting processes, policies, controls, documentation, and governance appropriate for a public-company environment. - Own preparation of internal reporting materials for Senior Management and the Board of Directors. - Serve as the organization's internal authority and senior advisor on complex U.S. GAAP and SEC accounting matters. - Independently research, evaluate, and document accounting conclusions for complex, unusual, non-routine, and highly judgmental transactions. - Provide definitive accounting guidance across complex areas including revenue recognition, leases, stock-based compensation, business combinations, debt and equity transactions, impairment, internally developed software, and other complex accounting matters. - Monitor new accounting standards, assess their potential impact on the Company, and formulate the Company's position. - Lead implementation of new accounting standards and drive development of related accounting policy across the organization. - Serve as the principal point of contact for external auditors on financial reporting and technical accounting matters. - Direct audit requests and drive timely completion of annual audits and quarterly reviews. - Maintain and own documentation supporting significant accounting judgments and estimates. - Ad hoc duties as assigned. ### JOB REQUIREMENTS AND MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field. - CPA or equivalent advanced certification. - Minimum of 15 years of progressive experience in financial reporting and technical accounting, with a strong preference for aerospace, defense, or regulated manufacturing. - Extensive experience supporting audits and public-company or IPO-ready environments. - Advanced U.S. GAAP knowledge; recognized internal authority on complex technical accounting matters. - Advanced knowledge of SEC reporting requirements. - Advanced technical writing skills. - Extensive experience with FAR/CAS and government contracting accounting. - Advanced proficiency with Microsoft Excel; working knowledge of Word and PowerPoint. - Extensive experience with enterprise ERP and reporting systems (e.g., NetSuite, Workiva, OneStream, or equivalent). - Advanced audit and internal control expertise. - Demonstrated ability to advise senior management on complicated, high-stakes technical accounting positions. - Occasional travel between CesiumAstro locations (Austin, TX; Westminster, CO; El Segundo, CA; Melbourne, FL) may be required. - Ability to communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing, with internal stakeholders, external auditors, and senior leadership.