Head of Finance / Accounting
Round Rock, TX | 🏢 On-site (Ideally 5 days/week)
Individual Contributor to Start | Equity + Competitive Compensation
About the Company
Our client is a fast-growing, venture-backed startup at the forefront of autonomous aerial vehicle innovation. With a recently secured U.S. military contract and additional private funding, moving rapidly from prototype development to mass production.
The company is currently 30 people strong, including a strong tech team, and is entering a critical phase—transitioning from early-stage R&D into full-scale manufacturing and deployment.
They are building a founding team of high-caliber talent who thrive in ambiguity, operate independently, and bring both strategic thinking and hands-on execution. This is a rare opportunity to shape the financial foundation of a company redefining the future of autonomous systems.
The Opportunity
We are seeking a Head of Finance / Accounting to lead and build our finance function from the ground up. This is a foundational, hands-on role—you will be the sole finance leader on Day 1, with a clear path to build and scale a high-performing team as the company grows.
You’ll be responsible for all aspects of finance and accounting, from tactical execution—AP, AR, month-end close, tax, reporting, compliance—to strategic initiatives like financial planning, investor reporting, government contract oversight, and fundraising.
This role partners directly with the CEO and executive team, playing a critical role in driving financial discipline, supporting strategic decisions, and preparing the company for scale, audits, and future rounds of funding.
Key Responsibilities
- Build and own all finance and accounting systems, tools, and processes
- Full-cycle accounting: AP/AR, general ledger, journal entries, reconciliations, monthly close
- Prepare and manage financial statements, reporting packages, and management dashboards
- Ensure compliance across tax, audit, licensing, and regulatory matters
- Lead and manage formal financial audits and investor due diligence
- Drive budgeting, forecasting, and long-range financial planning
- Partner with leadership on strategic financing, pricing, and cost structure optimization
- Lead defense/government contract finance and compliance
- Support fundraising efforts, including modeling, roadshows, and investor updates
- Oversee banking relationships, credit/debt negotiations, and capital planning
- Implement and maintain ERP and financial tools tailored to hardware and software development
Qualifications
- 10+ years in finance/accounting, including success in early-stage, high-growth environments
- Required: Experience with government/defense contracts and federal compliance standards
- Proven ability to build finance functions from scratch as a first or early finance hire
- Strong in financial modeling, audit readiness, and investor reporting
- Familiar with hardware/software blended businesses (robotics, aerospace, etc.)
- Proficient in QuickBooks, ERP systems, and manufacturing finance tools
- Comfortable shifting between high-level strategy and hands-on execution
- Excellent communicator with strong internal influence and external presence
- Adds credibility to investor decks and fundraising conversations
Preferred: CPA or MBA, experience scaling from prototype to mass production, venture fundraising track record, and a strong network in defense or advanced manufacturing finance
Why This Role?
- Be the foundational finance leader in a company solving real-world problems with cutting-edge technology
- Take ownership of a wide scope of responsibilities—this is both a strategic and hands-on role
- Partner with a mission-driven leadership team and well-aligned investors
- Build a finance team from the ground up, once the core function is in place
BrainWorks specializes in delivering exceptional Accounting and Finance talent to drive business success. Our dedicated Accounting and Finance Practice connects top companies with industry-leading professionals in roles ranging from mid-level management to executive leadership.
We pride ourselves on delivering quality, speed, and results through our proven recruitment process. With deep industry expertise, our consultants understand the unique challenges of the accounting and finance landscape and provide tailored solutions to meet your hiring needs.
When you partner with BrainWorks, you work with trusted advisors who are dedicated to finding the right talent to strengthen your team. Learn more at brainworksinc.com.
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Industry 1: Aviation & Aerospace
Industry 2: Electrical/Electronic Manufacturing
Industry 3: Defense & Space
Job ID: 43422060957
Category: Accounting & Finance
Location: Round Rock, TX