Assistant Controller, Government Accounting & Compliance

ABOUT SANDBOXAQ

SandboxAQ is a high-growth company delivering AI solutions that address some of the world's greatest challenges. The company’s Large Quantitative Models (LQMs) power advances in life sciences, financial services, navigation, cybersecurity, and other sectors.

We are a global team that is tech-focused and includes experts in AI, chemistry, cybersecurity, physics, mathematics, medicine, engineering, and other specialties. The company emerged from Alphabet Inc. as an independent, growth capital-backed company in 2022, funded by leading investors and supported by a braintrust of industry leaders.

At SandboxAQ, we’ve cultivated an environment that encourages creativity, collaboration, and impact. By investing deeply in our people, we’re building a thriving, global workforce poised to tackle the world's epic challenges. Join us to advance your career in pursuit of an inspiring mission, in a community of like-minded people who value entrepreneurialism, ownership, and transformative impact.

ABOUT THE ROLE

Our Finance team is seeking an Assistant Controller, Government Accounting & Compliance to support the Controller and broader Accounting team during a period of rapid growth. This person will play a critical role in both the day-to-day accounting function and in building the infrastructure needed to support government cost accounting, cost reimbursement reporting, and government audit readiness.

This role is intended for someone who can operate as a strong accounting leader while also rolling up their sleeves. In addition to core Assistant Controller responsibilities such as owning the month-end close process, this person will help design, implement, and monitor the controls, reporting, and compliance processes needed to support a more complex government-facing environment.

The right candidate will be excited by the opportunity to build. They should be comfortable working in an environment where some processes exist, some need to be strengthened, and others need to be created from scratch. The candidate should have a working knowledge of cost accounting standards for government contracts and experience interfacing with government agency officials and auditors. This role will be highly cross-functional and visible, with regular interaction across Finance, Legal, Operations, Program teams, and external auditors / advisors.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Help manage the monthly, quarterly, and year-end close processes, ensuring timelines are met and issues are proactively identified and resolved.

• Lead the build-out of accounting and reporting processes needed to support government-funded and cost-reimbursable work, including developing frameworks for project costing, indirect rate calculations, and identifying allowable vs. unallowable costs.

• Develop processes to track, reconcile, and report costs in a manner that is supportable under government audit and reimbursement requirements including tracking and reviewing the accumulation of direct and indirect costs.

• Help document and operationalize processes so controls are not only designed appropriately but also executed consistently.

• Partner with internal and external stakeholders to prepare for financial audits, government audits, and any future Single Audit / Yellow Book-related requirements if applicable.

• Partner with Finance leadership to assess process gaps and lead the development of documentation, policies, and operating procedures needed to remediate those gaps in advance of new government awards or reporting requirements.

• Partner with program, operations, legal, and external advisors on government accounting considerations, reporting expectations, and implementation needs.

• Drive process improvement and automation initiatives to improve scalability, control, and reporting quality.

• Help ensure the finance organization can support a high-growth company with increasing complexity while maintaining a practical, business-oriented approach.

WHAT YOU SHOULD HAVE

• 8+ years of progressive accounting experience, with at least 4 years of experience in government contracting, government accounting, or another environment with cost reimbursement, indirect rates, and contract compliance requirements.

• Strong working knowledge of government accounting requirements, including cost reimbursement reporting, allowable vs. unallowable cost treatment, cost allocation methodologies, and audit-ready support for reimbursable spend.

• Experience supporting government audits or similarly rigorous compliance environments, including exposure to DCAA, FAR / CAS concepts, incurred cost submissions, Single Audit, Yellow Book, or related frameworks.

• Demonstrated experience building or strengthening controls, policies, and procedures required to operate in a more formal government-compliance environment.

• Experience preparing for, supporting, or remediating findings from government audits, Single Audits, or Yellow Book / GAGAS-related environments.

• Strong foundation in U.S. GAAP and core accounting operations, including ownership or meaningful oversight of the close process, balance sheet integrity, and financial reporting.

• Demonstrated people-management or team-lead experience, with the ability to review work, coach others, and raise the quality bar.

• Strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.

HIGHLY DESIRED EXPERIENCE

• Experience standing up government accounting processes in a company that did not previously have the required infrastructure in place.

• Experience with ERP systems such as NetSuite and, ideally, exposure to project- or contract-based accounting structures.

• CPA preferred.

WHY JOIN US?

We offer a comprehensive and competitive benefits package designed to support your health, financial well-being, and life outside of work.

• Compensation: Competitive base salary, performance-based incentives or bonuses (where applicable), and equity participation.

• Benefits: Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage for employees and dependents with generous employer premium contributions, retirement savings with company matching, paid parental leave, and inclusive family-building benefits.

• Work-Life Balance: Flexible paid time off, company-wide seasonal breaks, and support for flexible work arrangements that enable sustainable performance.

• Career Development: Opportunities for continuous learning and growth through on-the-job development, cross-functional collaboration, and access to internal learning and development programs.

SANDBOXAQ WELCOMES ALL

We are committed to fostering a culture of belonging and respect, where diverse perspectives are actively sought and valued. Our multidisciplinary environment provides ample opportunity for continuous growth - working alongside humble, empowered, and ambitious colleagues ready to tackle epic challenges.

Equal Employment Opportunity: All qualified applicants will receive consideration regardless of race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship, marital status, disability, gender identity, or Veteran status.

Accommodations: We provide reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities in job application procedures for open roles. If you need such an accommodation, please let a member of our Recruiting team know.

Read: Guidance for candidates on using AI Tools in interviews https://www.sandboxaq.com/ai-in-interviews