Cost & Program Controls Manager

Publicly Traded Aerospace & Defense Technology CompanyCost & Project Controls Manager$145k-$165k + BonusLocation – Arlington, VA – Hybrid (2-3x)

Have you got what it takes to succeed The following information should be read carefully by all candidates.
The RoleOur client is hiring a Cost & Project Controls Manager to own the full financial picture of a portfolio of active government programs — both the accounting record of what's happened and the forward-looking forecast of where each project is heading. This role sits at the intersection of cost accounting and project controls: you'll close the books on project costs, and you'll also build and defend the EAC/ETC forecasts that tell Program Managers and Finance leadership whether a project is on track. You'll report to the Director of Finance and Accounting, and be trusted to run your portfolio independently after ramp-up.
What You'll DoCost Accounting & CloseMaintain project cost-accounting structures and financial master data across multiple concurrent government programsReconcile project ledgers to the general ledger; investigate and resolve labor, AP, procurement, and billing discrepanciesPrepare journal entries, accruals, and cost transfers as part of month-end closeSupport milestone-based billing and revenue recognition (ASC 606) by validating that billing support ties to documented project progressProject Controls & ForecastingBuild and maintain Estimate at Completion (EAC) / Estimate to Complete (ETC) forecasts, integrating actual costs, open commitments, staffing plans, procurement timing, and schedule assumptionsPartner directly with Program Managers to test forecast assumptions against real execution and reconcile the financial forecast to operational realityAnalyze cost trends against budget; flag margin risk and cost-to-complete pressure early, with clear recommendations, not just variance reportingReportingPresent financial results, forecasts, and risks to Finance leadership, Program Managers, and Program Controls stakeholders
What You'll NeedBachelor's in Accounting, Finance, Business, Engineering, or xzbcwsv a related field4+ years combining cost accounting/close work with EAC/ETC forecasting or project controls, ideally supporting government contractsHands-on month-end close experience: journal entries, accruals, reconciliationsDemonstrated experience building and defending EAC/ETC forecasts and identifying project margin riskWorking knowledge of FFP, CPFF, T&M, or hybrid contract typesFamiliarity with milestone/deliverable-based billing and ASC 606 revenue recognitionAdvanced Excel (PivotTables, XLOOKUP, SUMIFS); ERP experience a plus (Unanet, Deltek Costpoint/Vantagepoint, SAP, Oracle, or NetSuite)Ability to obtain a SECRET clearanceCPA, CMA, PMP, or EVM certification a plus