Government and Public Sector Controller - Director

Overview

The Government and Public Sector (“GPS”) Controlling Director will lead EY’s GPS Accounting team, has relationships across the GPS Finance organization and the firm’s US Controlling team, and reports to the GPS Finance & Accounting Leader.

The opportunity

In this role your primary responsibility will be to serve as the leader of the accounting team for EY’s GPS practice. You will support improvements to EY’s Deltek Costpoint system in the context of a CAS covered business. You will work broadly across the accounting function as a key member and leader within the finance team, ensuring all requirements of an adequate accounting system are met. You will also play an important role in the creation and/or evolution of an accounting operations team internal to EY and implementation and maintenance of auditable processes and controls.

Your key responsibilities

• Play a significant role, working with GPS Finance leadership and third-party consultants in ensuring the successful upgrade(s) and improvements to EY GPS’s Deltek Costpoint.
• Build a strong accounting function in support of the GPS practice, that is reliable, meets SLAs and consistently upholds controls and regulatory requirements.
• Participate in external audits with outside independent auditors and regulatory oversight agencies (e.g., DCAA, DCMA), and oversee preparation of items that auditors require.
• Develop and refine new processes for accounting operations, including for time and expense processes, labor accounting and payroll, accounts payable, period and subperiod financial closes, financial statement reporting and accumulation of proper master and transactional data in Costpoint for all of these areas.
• Develop and/or refine formal, auditable accounting policies and procedures reflective of newly designed processes and controls (both preventive and detective) for EY GPS.
• Accountable for GPS’s month-end close process and weekly ‘soft close.’
• Guide and assist the accounting team in developing robust reconciliation processes as needed across the accounting domain.
• Support integration of Costpoint to other systems and tools, both internal (SuccessFactors, EY’s Data Warehouse, SAP, etc.) and external (ADP, Amex, etc.).
• Leverage prior experience to explore possibilities for leveraging robotics in accounting processes; work with technical team to make prioritized opportunities come to life.
• Develop approach and methods for integrating acquisitions into GPS future state accounting environment. Work with third party resources as needed to support these efforts.
• Lead GPS accounting team through system and business process testing, when applicable.
• Play a key role in the Costpoint Change Control board, post implementation.
• Work with indirect rates team to ensure Costpoint setup reflects GPS rate structures and be accountable for management of Costpoint architectural controls in this area.
• Ensure proactive collaboration with other (commercial) EY Controlling functional resources, including in the areas of G/L, Treasury, Tax and Payroll.
• Responsible for ensuring that the books and records of the GPS Practice are complete and accurate, and applicable quarterly and annual financial reporting is completed on a timely basis
• Develop accounting positions and guidance on technical accounting matters that may only apply to the GPS practice (e.g. revenue recognition positions, loss contracting provisions, asset impairment practices). Where EY as a firm deviates from GAAP, assess whether GPS should implement a different practice; in such cases, lead implementation of different practice(s).
• Directs and owns the strategic upgrading of accounting processes and tools in order to meet changing economic conditions and business needs.
• Responsible for hiring, training and retaining skilled accounting staff for EY’s GPS practice. Play a key role in development of accounting team and work with GPS Finance leadership on career planning for staff.
• Prioritize and drive accounting related initiatives within GPS.

Skills and attributes for success

• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills which allow for strategic data interpretation versus simple reporting
• Excellent oral, written and interpersonal skills with the ability to communicate effectively with all levels of management and external auditors
• Experienced leader with high degree of knowledge of general accounting theories, principles, and practices with a solid knowledge of general budgeting principles and practices

To qualify you must have

• A Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance or related field
• Extensive, in-depth knowledge of Deltek Costpoint
• Extensive knowledge of FAR Part 31 and Cost Accounting Standards (CAS) and other regulatory requirements impacting the accounting system
• High degree of proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite, including Excel, Word, Power Point
• Solid understanding of CAS-compliance in indirect rate structures
• A minimum of 12 years of relevant (e.g., accounting, finance) experience in a government contracting environment, ideally 15 years.
• A minimum of 8 years working as a Controller, or equivalent role at a Senior Manager level or higher, managing the day-to-day operations of the accounting function at a government contractor
• Extensive experience accounting using Deltek Costpoint
• Experience implementing Deltek Costpoint is a plus
• Experience with leading accounting process improvement
• Experience leading a government contractor during accounting system audit by DCAA
• Experience supporting preparation of incurred cost submissions
• Experience building, training and managing internal accounting functions

• Experience implementing and enhancing accounting processes and procedures
• Experience implementing, monitoring and/or executing regulatory control processes and validations in a government contracting environment
• Ability to obtain a government security clearance

Ideally, you'll also have

• Working knowledge of SAP is a plus, though not required
• Experience working in a large firm, matrixed environment is a plus
• Advanced degree and/or CPA preferred

• Continuous learning: You’ll develop the mindset and skills to navigate whatever comes next.
• Success as defined by you: We’ll provide the tools and flexibility, so you can make a meaningful impact, your way.
• Transformative leadership: We’ll give you the insights, coaching and confidence to be the leader the world needs.
• Diverse and inclusive culture: You’ll be embraced for who you are and empowered to use your voice to help others find theirs.