Accounting Manager

About the role

The Accounting Manager at Venus Aerospace is a pivotal leadership position responsible for establishing and maintaining robust financial controls within a high-growth propulsion technology environment. This role owns the end-to-end accounting cycle, ensuring the accuracy, integrity, and timeliness of financial data that drives critical business decisions. You will serve as the primary financial steward for the Rotating Detonation Rocket Engine and Venus Detonation Ramjets programs, translating complex engineering milestones into clear and actionable financial insights. The position requires a disciplined professional who can manage the detailed general ledger while simultaneously providing strategic analysis to support the company's ambitious development goals. You will safeguard assets, ensure compliance with regulatory standards, and provide the financial structure necessary for the company to scale effectively during its next phase of innovation. This role demands a proactive approach to process improvement and a commitment to upholding the highest standards of financial reporting. Ultimately, the Accounting Manager will be the key link between the technical execution of aerospace programs and the financial health of the organization.

Key facts

What you'll do

• Execute the full accounting cycle for Venus Aerospace, ensuring the accurate capture of all transactions related to the Rotating Detonation Rocket Engine and Venus Detonation Ramjets programs.
• Design and implement accounting intake workflows to guarantee complete documentation and ongoing audit readiness for all financial activities.
• Construct and manage complex general ledger journal entries, ensuring precise allocation of costs across the appropriate sub-ledgers and cost centers.
• Validate all project costs against established program schedules and budgets to identify variances and support corrective action plans.
• Compile and review monthly close packets, performing detailed analysis to confirm strict compliance with established accounting policies and procedures.
• Analyze financial trends and underlying drivers of variance, presenting clear insights and issues for discussion prior to leadership reviews and executive decision-making.
• Own the preparation of external financial reports, articulating project costs, timelines, and their associated implications to both technical engineering teams and executive stakeholders.
• Partner directly with propulsion development engineers to build and maintain cost models specific to the Rotating Detonation Rocket Engine, providing data-driven support for design and manufacturing choices.
• Establish and rigorously manage financial controls for the Venus Detonation Ramjets product line, with a specific focus on revenue recognition and contract costing methodologies to ensure accuracy.
• Coordinate with external tax and audit partners, managing tax data requests and compiling the necessary documentation to support accurate and timely statutory tax filings for the organization.
• Drive system configuration within financial platforms to enforce accounting rules and improve the predictability and efficiency of the month-end close process.
• Ensure all financial operations adhere to the highest standards of internal control, mitigating risk and protecting company resources.
• Act as a subject matter expert on accounting matters, providing guidance and training to cross-functional teams as required to maintain financial integrity.
• Support the finance organization in the development of forecasts and budgets, aligning financial planning with the strategic objectives of Venus Aerospace.
• Maintain detailed documentation of all accounting procedures and controls to facilitate smooth operations and continuity.

Requirements

• Hold a Bachelor's degree in accounting or a closely related discipline from an accredited institution.
• Possess exactly three years of professional experience in a manufacturing or aerospace accounting environment, demonstrating a proven track record in these sectors.
• Demonstrate a deep and comprehensive understanding of US Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (US GAAP) in all aspects of financial reporting.
• Have direct, hands-on experience applying US GAAP to complex accounting topics, specifically including the capitalization of development costs and related compliance requirements.
• Exhibit the ability to effectively manage multiple deadlines and priorities simultaneously without compromising attention to detail or delivery commitments.
• Communicate with exceptional clarity and precision, capable of explaining intricate financial concepts to non-financial leaders while maintaining absolute accuracy and avoiding ambiguity.
• Show a strong commitment to ethical conduct and professional skepticism in all financial matters.
• Be proficient in navigating complex regulatory environments and ensuring adherence to company policies and external mandates.
• Possess strong analytical skills to dissect financial data, identify root causes of discrepancies, and propose effective solutions.
• Display excellent organizational skills with the ability to manage numerous projects and competing demands in a fast-paced setting.
• Have a history of taking ownership of challenging problems and driving them to a successful resolution with minimal supervision.
• Demonstrate proficiency in building and maintaining strong working relationships with colleagues across technical and operational departments.
• Show a willingness to adapt to changing priorities and contribute to a dynamic, mission-driven work environment.
• Commit to maintaining the confidentiality of sensitive financial information at all times.

Nice to have

• Preferred skills and experience specific to the tools and methodologies used within the aerospace and propulsion sectors.

Practical notes

This position is based in Houston, Texas, and operates on a full-time basis. The compensation for this role is $130,000.00 annually. Please confirm all details regarding the position on the official application page before submitting your materials. The successful candidate will report directly to the Controller within the finance organization.