Job Title Controller
Agency Texas A&M Engineering
Department Tees Fiscal Office
Proposed Minimum Salary Commensurate
Job Location College Station, Texas
Job Type Staff
Job Description
Why work for Texas A&M Engineering?
Who we are Engineering has been part of Texas A&M University since its opening in 1876 as the Agricultural and Mechanical College of Texas. Today, the College of Engineering is the largest college on the College Station campus with more than 25,000 engineering students enrolled in 15 departments. Its mission is to serve Texas, the nation and the global community by providing engineering graduates who are well-founded in engineering fundamentals, instilled with the highest standards of professional and ethical behavior, and prepared to meet the complex technical challenges of society. As the research arm of Engineering, the Texas A&M Engineering Experiment Station (TEES) is a state agency within the Texas A&M University System with a mission to improve lives through basic and applied engineering research, workforce development and technology transition. Our collaborations with industry, academia and government provide cutting-edge solutions to global technical challenges. We are deeply committed to recruiting and retaining a talented workforce that embraces our core values of Respect, Excellence, Leadership, Loyalty, Integrity, and Service, by offering competitive salaries, an array of benefits, an extensive support network, and above all, an enriching and highly collaborative working community that is deeply passionate about our vision for higher education, research, and public service.
Job Description
Purpose:
The Controller (Accounting Manager), under the general direction of the Chief Financial Officer, serves as the senior accounting professional responsible for managing accounting operations, financial reporting, internal controls, and financial compliance for INSPIRE Alliance.
The position plays a critical role in establishing and maintaining the financial infrastructure necessary to support INSPIRE Alliance's growth as a nonprofit corporation focused on national security, defense innovation, and applied engineering. The Controller oversees daily accounting activities, ensures the accuracy and integrity of financial records, and supports compliance with federal contracting requirements, generally accepted accounting principles, and applicable nonprofit financial regulations.
The Controller will lead the implementation and administration of Deltek Costpoint or a comparable government-contracting accounting system to support federal contracts, grants, cooperative agreements, industry partnerships, and other sponsored activities.
Working closely with the Chief Financial Officer, executive leadership, program managers, and external financial partners, the Controller will develop efficient accounting processes, strengthen financial accountability, and support the corporation's expanding financial and administrative operations.
Responsibilities:
Accounting Operations and Financial Management
- Manage daily accounting operations, including general ledger, accounts payable, accounts receivable, payroll accounting, fixed assets, and financial reconciliations.
- Oversee monthly, quarterly, and annual financial close processes to ensure timely and accurate financial reporting.
- Prepare and review journal entries, account reconciliations, financial statements, and supporting accounting schedules.
- Maintain accurate financial records in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles and applicable federal and organizational requirements.
- Monitor organizational expenditures, financial transactions, and accounting activities to ensure appropriate documentation, approvals, and financial accountability.
- Prepare financial reports, budget-to-actual analyses, and other financial information for review by the Chief Financial Officer and executive leadership.
- Support the Chief Financial Officer in preparing annual operating budgets, financial forecasts, and cash flow projections.
Financial Systems and Deltek Costpoint
- Lead the implementation, configuration, testing, and ongoing administration of Deltek Costpoint or a comparable government-contracting accounting system.
- Establish accounting structures, project codes, cost centers, indirect cost pools, and financial reporting processes that support federal contract and grant requirements.
- Develop and maintain procedures for contract accounting, timekeeping, expense allocation, billing, and financial reconciliation.
- Coordinate financial system integration with applicable Texas A&M University System financial processes and INSPIRE Alliance operations.
- Identify opportunities to improve accounting efficiency, automate financial processes, and strengthen reporting capabilities.
- Provide training and technical guidance to employees and accounting personnel on financial systems, accounting procedures, and compliance requirements.
Federal Contract and Grant Accounting
- Oversee financial accounting activities associated with federal contracts, grants, cooperative agreements, and industry-sponsored programs.
- Monitor contract expenditures, funding limitations, cost allocations, and
- financial reporting requirements.
- Support compliance with applicable Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR), Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement (DFARS), Office of Management and Budget Uniform Guidance, and federal cost accounting requirements.
- Coordinate with contracts, business development, and program management personnel to ensure accurate financial tracking and reporting.
- Support preparation of proposal budgets, cost estimates, indirect rate calculations, pricing documentation, and financial justifications.
- Monitor direct and indirect costs to support appropriate allocation, billing, and financial reporting.
- Assist with contract closeout, financial reconciliations, sponsor reporting, and audit documentation.
Financial Compliance, Internal Controls, and Audits
- Develop, implement, and maintain accounting policies, financial procedures, and internal controls to safeguard organizational assets and ensure financial integrity.
- Maintain accounting documentation and financial records necessary to support internal and external audits.
- Coordinate accounting activities associated with annual financial audits, federal compliance reviews, and other required financial examinations.
- Monitor compliance with applicable nonprofit accounting standards, federal financial regulations, sponsor requirements, and organizational policies.
- Identify financial discrepancies, accounting risks, and internal control weaknesses and recommend corrective actions.
- Support preparation of applicable federal, state, and nonprofit financial filings, including required tax documentation and reporting.
- Ensure appropriate documentation, authorization, and reconciliation of financial transactions.
Organizational Development and Financial Transition
- Support the continued development and expansion of INSPIRE Alliance's financial infrastructure, including accounting systems, internal controls, and administrative processes, to accommodate the corporation's growth and potential transition of accounting functions and personnel to direct INSPIRE Alliance employment.
- Coordinate with appropriate Texas A&M University System financial and administrative personnel to support accurate accounting, reporting, and financial administration.
- Assist in establishing scalable accounting processes and financial controls that support INSPIRE Alliance's expanding independent corporate operations.
- Support the development of accounting infrastructure capable of managing increasing federal contract activity, industry partnerships, and organizational expenditures.
- Participate in financial process improvements, organizational planning, and implementation of new accounting procedures.
- Provide accounting leadership and technical guidance as INSPIRE Alliance expands its internal financial and administrative capabilities.
Leadership and Coordination
- Supervise, train, and provide technical guidance to accounting personnel as positions are established.
- Coordinate with the Chief Financial Officer, executive leadership, contracts personnel, program managers, and external accounting service providers.
- Establish accounting work priorities, reporting schedules, and performance expectations.
- Respond to financial inquiries and provide accurate accounting information to support operational decisions.
- Promote a culture of accountability, professionalism, compliance, and continuous improvement.
- Perform other related financial and accounting duties as assigned by the Chief Financial Officer.
What we need:
- Bachelor’s degree in Business or equivalent combination of education and experience.
- Ten years of related experience to include two years of supervisory experience.
What is helpful:
- Experience managing accounting functions, supervising accounting personnel, or leading financial system implementations.
- Experience with Deltek Costpoint or a comparable enterprise accounting system strongly preferred.
- Experience supporting federal contracts, government contracting, grants, sponsored programs, or nonprofit financial operations strongly preferred.
- Knowledge of federal cost principles, FAR, DFARS, Uniform Guidance, and government-contract accounting practices preferred.
- Experience preparing financial statements, supporting audits, managing project accounting, and developing accounting policies and procedures.
- Certified Public Accountant (CPA) designation or CPA eligibility preferred.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
- Comprehensive understanding of accounting principles, financial reporting, reconciliations, and internal control practices.
- Knowledge of federal contracting financial requirements, cost allocation methods, indirect cost structures, and contract accounting.
- Advanced proficiency with accounting software, Microsoft Excel, and financial reporting applications.
- Ability to implement financial systems, develop accounting procedures, and establish effective internal controls.
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with exceptional attention to detail.
- Ability to manage competing priorities and meet financial reporting deadlines.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to communicate financial information to nonfinancial personnel.
- Ability to work collaboratively with university administrators, government partners, industry representatives, and organizational leadership.
- Demonstrated professionalism, discretion, sound judgment, and commitment to financial integrity.
- Ability to adapt to evolving organizational structures, accounting requirements, and operational priorities.
Other Requirements
- Ability to work on-site in College Station, Texas, consistent with organizational requirements.
- Ability to coordinate financial operations with Texas A&M University System personnel and INSPIRE Alliance leadership.
- Willingness to support the continued development of INSPIRE Alliance's independent financial infrastructure and the potential transition of the position to direct corporate employment.
- Ability to maintain confidentiality of financial, contractual, and organizational information.
- Commitment to supporting federal financial compliance, audit readiness, and sound financial management practices.
- Alignment with INSPIRE Alliance's mission to advance national security innovation and mission-ready engineering solutions.
Work Location:
- Main Campus – College Station, TX.
About Inspire Alliance INSPIRE Alliance is a Texas nonprofit corporation established by the Texas A&M Engineering Experiment Station (TEES) with support from The Texas A&M University System Board of Regents. The Alliance was created to advance leadership in applied national security research by accelerating the development and deployment of mission-ready engineering solutions. As a 501(c)(3) organization, INSPIRE Alliance pursues federal contracts, grants, and strategic partnerships supporting national security priorities. The organization collaborates with the Department of War, the Intelligence Community, other federal agencies, academic institutions, and industry partners to translate innovation into operational capabilities. INSPIRE Alliance focuses on critical mission areas including autonomous systems, artificial intelligence, space innovation, data science, advanced materials, and other emerging technologies that support national defense and security. The corporation is expanding its operational and administrative capabilities to accelerate innovation, strengthen partnerships, and deliver engineering solutions that address complex national security challenges.
Texas A&M Engineering provides an outstanding benefits package including but not limited to:
- Competitive medical insurance benefits through Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas and Prescription coverage by Express Scripts.
- Options for Vision, Dental, Life, and Long-Term Disability insurance.
- A defined benefit retirement plan with the Teacher Retirement System of Texas (TRS) with 8.25% employer contribution.
- Additional Voluntary Retirement Programs: Tax Deferred Account 403(b) and a Deferred Compensation Program 457(b).
- Flexible spending account options for medical and childcare expenses
- Generous paid time off with holidays, vacation and sick leave.
- Robust free training access through LinkedIn Learning plus professional development opportunities.
- Tuition assistance and Educational release time to further your academic pursuits.
- Access to Engineer Your Wellness programs that provide opportunities for employees to engage in health and fitness.
- Wellness release time offered to employees to promote work/life balance.
Helpful Applicant Information
Required Materials for Application:
- Resume/CV
- Three work references with their contact information; at least one reference should be from a supervisor/former supervisor.
- Letter of interest (dependent upon position)
Applications received by Texas A&M Engineering must have all required job application data entered. Failure to provide all job application data could result in an invalid submission and a rejected application.
Compensation Philosophy:
- Recruit and retain high-performing workforce through competitive compensation and career development including career pathing, coaching and skills development.
- Offer total rewards, flexible benefits, professional development, performance recognition and work-life balance.
- Ensure resources are readily available and utilized to attract and retain the highest quality researchers, faculty, and staff.
Employment Eligibility Verification
- If hired, you will be required to complete the federal Employment Eligibility Verification I-9 form. You will be required to present original and unexpired documents to prove your identity and authorization to work in the United States. Documents need to be presented no later than the third day of employment. Failure to do so will result in delay of start date.
All positions are security-sensitive. Applicants are subject to a criminal history investigation, and employment is contingent upon the institution’s verification of credentials and/or other information required by the institution’s procedures, including the completion of the criminal history check.
Equal Opportunity/Veterans/Disability Employer.