Deputy Controller

As a Deputy Controller at BlackSky, your key responsibilities include overseeing accounts payable and receivable, managing monthly close processes, and supporting the Controller with corporate transactions. You'll also be involved in reviewing financial statements and ensuring adherence to GAAP, while contributing to audits and maintaining internal controls.

To qualify for the Deputy Controller role at BlackSky, candidates should have 10-15 years of relevant experience, including time at a public audit firm. Candidates should hold a CPA certification, possess advanced knowledge of US GAAP, and demonstrate strong leadership and communication skills.

BlackSky offers numerous opportunities for professional development, including training programs, seminars, and mentorship. As a Deputy Controller, you will have the chance to enhance your skills and grow within a supportive environment that values continuous learning and development.

As a Deputy Controller, you'll enjoy a vibrant and dynamic work environment at BlackSky. With an emphasis on teamwork and collaboration, you're encouraged to share ideas and innovate accounting processes, all while enjoying flexibility with a hybrid work model that includes on-site presence a few times a week.

At BlackSky, the role of Deputy Controller offers significant growth potential. You’ll have the opportunity to take on leadership responsibilities, manage direct reports, and influence accounting practices, paving the way for future career advancements within a rapidly growing and innovative company.

In interviewing for the Deputy Controller role, it's crucial to show your grasp of US GAAP. Discuss specific instances where you applied these principles in past positions, focusing on complex financial transactions and compliance with standards. Be prepared to explain how understanding GAAP helps maintain accuracy in financial reporting.

When answering this question, emphasize your time management and organizational skills. For instance, mention any particular tools or methods you've used to streamline processes, such as leveraging software for automation or establishing timelines that include buffer periods to alleviate pressure as the deadlines approach.

Demonstrating your problem-solving approach is key when answering this question. Share a specific example where you had to research and analyze a technical accounting issue, detailing your process from identifying the problem to implementing a solution while navigating compliance with relevant standards.

In this response, highlight your audit experience, detailing how you prepare documentation, coordinate with external auditors, and address potential process deficiencies. Provide an example of an audit you've been involved in and the outcome of your preparation efforts.

Share your belief in the importance of team morale and detail strategies you've employed, such as regular check-ins, recognition of individual contributions, and fostering open communication. Provide an example where you successfully improved team dynamics in a high-pressure situation.

In your answer, focus on a specific process or system change you initiated, including how you identified the need for change, how you communicated this to your team, the steps you took for implementation, and the results of this improvement.

It's wise to acknowledge potential challenges while expressing your readiness to tackle them. Mention issues like managing a diverse accounting team or aligning financial practices with evolving regulations, and describe how your experience equips you to overcome these challenges effectively.

Discuss the resources you utilize to keep updated, such as subscriptions to professional journals, participation in webinars, and joining accounting associations. Share your proactive approach to continuous education and how it informs your role as a financial leader.

Provide a clear example of a reporting process you improved, detailing the challenges faced, the steps taken to enhance clarity or efficiency, and the quantifiable benefits of your enhancement. This demonstrates initiative and a results-driven mindset.

Detail your hands-on experience with financial software relevant to the Deputy Controller position, such as Deltek Costpoint or any other relevant tools you have used. Discuss how these tools have enhanced your financial operations and compliance efforts in past roles.