Controller in Chantilly, VA

Hiring Manager: Amber Milot (EVP of Corporate Development – Interim CFO)
Search Type: Contract-to-Hire (preferred) → Permanent
Target Conversion: ~6 months on contract, then permanent
Start Timing: Immediate / As soon as the right person is found
Location: 5 days onsite (local preferred; relocation possible but not ideal)
ROLE OVERVIEW (What They Are Hiring)

The client will ultimately hire one of the following, depending on candidate profile:

Controller, OR

Director of Accounting

Title will be flexible based on experience:

Strong, traditional Controller profile → Controller title

Slightly lighter on finance/treasury but very strong in multi-entity + D365 F&O → Director of Accounting title

Reporting Structure

Initially: Reports to Amber (Interim CFO)

Longer-term: Will report to a newly hired CFO (active search underway)

SCOPE OF ROLE / RESPONSIBILITIES
Leadership (Core Focus – this is the differentiator)

This is a leadership-first hire.

The role will manage:

5 Accounting Managers (direct reports)

~6 staff (mix of AP/AR)

2+ contractors

Total span: ~12–13 people

Expectations:

Mentor, coach, and train the team

Actively manage performance (PIPs, difficult conversations, written warnings when necessary)

Bring structure to a currently “chaotic” environment

Create and streamline processes

Stabilize the department

Be a proactive problem solver (not just a technical accountant)

Accounting / Finance Responsibilities

Oversight of multi-entity accounting

Income statement review across entities

Month-end close & reporting

Audit coordination and support

Process improvement and internal controls

Partnering with IT on D365 F&O-related finance workflows

Environment Context

Company is in ~2 years of transformation and change

Fast-paced, high-growth, and sometimes chaotic

Not a steady-state environment — they want someone who thrives in this

REQUIRED SKILLSET (Non-Negotiables)
Must-Have

Heavy D365 F&O experience (NOT Business Central)

Strong multi-entity accounting background

Experience managing managers (not just individual contributors)

Proven track record handling performance issues (PIPs, coaching, exits when needed)

Exceptional communication skills

Highly organized and structured leader

Systems / Tools

D365 F&O – critical

Xflow (SignUp Software) – nice to have (not required; IT manages backend)

Highly Preferred (Big Pluses)

FAR / Overhead Audit experience

Client works with multiple state DOTs and undergoes annual FAR audits

GAAP audit familiarity

ESOP accounting exposure (helpful but not overly complex)

LOCATION / WORK MODEL

5 days onsite required at the start

No remote/hybrid initially

Potential for occasional WFH later once the team is stable

Open to relocation but prefer local candidates (they are hesitant to relocate someone who may not work out)

COMPENSATION (Permanent)
Base Salary

$200,000 – $240,000

Bonus

Target ~8–10% annually in a normal year

Uses a “45% bonus plan” methodology (calculation mechanism, not actual payout)

2025 was a record bonus year; unlikely to be repeated consistently

Bonus Eligibility (Contract-to-Hire Considerations)

Must convert to permanent before October to be bonus-eligible in 2026

If converting in August → pro-rated bonus for Aug–Dec only

COLA / Raises

2026 company-wide increase: 2.7%

Annual compensation reviews; adjustments made if market benchmarks warrant

INTERVIEW PROCESS

Round 1 – Virtual: Amber

Round 2 – Virtual Panel:

Pete O’Hara (Director of Treasury)

Lori Debo (Chief People Officer)

Round 3 – Onsite (possibly 1–2 rounds):

Amber

Pete

Lori

Potentially: COO (Leo) and CIO (Larry Walters)

Multiple rounds expected — this is a critical hire.

WHY THIS ROLE / SELLING POINTS
Company Growth

Revenue increased $90M in one year (2024 → 2025)

2024: $457M

2025: $548M

Clear path toward a $1B revenue target within ~4–5 years

Career Opportunity

Ability to build and shape the accounting function

Chance to grow a larger team

Significant visibility with executive leadership

Key role in major digital and operational transformation