Group Controller - DMV Area

M1 Technology is a Virginia-based government contractor specializing in high-end software development, operational support, and technical services for the Intelligence Community. With a focused and skilled team operating in the Intelligence Community, this business has established itself as a trusted partner to prime contractors and government customers alike. The business is positioned for its next chapter of growth and this Executive hire is the key unlock to lead the core business operations and oversee organic growth.

M1 Technology also has 5 independent and decentralized subsidiary companies. This role will interface and work collaboratively with these companies to help promote mutual growth and business development.  

Cedar Solutions Group is a Denver, Colorado-based holding company that acquires and operates government-services businesses across the United States. Cedar is driven by a people-first mission: invest in exceptional talent and technology to deliver effective government solutions. We are uniquely long-term oriented — we seek to hold and grow our businesses indefinitely, not flip them.

Cedar is backed by Evergreen and Alpine Investors, a leading private equity firm focused on services and software with $16B+ in AUM. Our portfolio companies benefit from proven playbooks, shared resources, and a culture built on accountability, continuous improvement, and genuine care for people.

M1 is seeking a Group Controller to lead the finance and accounting function across a group of companies. This person will partner with the COO to achieve strategic objectives and work with the finance and accounting team at Cedar. The Group Controller will also lead each business in the preparation of consolidated monthly financial reporting, provide real-time insight into our operating metrics, and assist with the financial onboarding process for new operating companies. This person is a "player-coach" who can get into the journal entries to support a business as needed but also has the capacity to lead and accomplish tasks through leading a team.

The Group Controller will also set up and refine the automation practices, systems, processes, and team across the finance and accounting functions of each of our businesses to meaningfully scale both organically and through acquisition. The ideal candidate has a strong entrepreneurial spirit and is excited by the opportunity to build a first-class finance and accounting function.

• Serve as the primary financial strategist to the COO, executing against budgeted EBITDA and identifying growth opportunities across the portfolio.
• Deeply understand the business models and financial levers (margin optimization, utilization, cost efficiency) of each operating company to drive bottom-line results.
• Effectively communicate financial takeaways and strategy to the Board, the Cedar team, and individual founder, accountants, and operators.

• Lead all Evergreen and Cedar-required financial initiatives with 100% timeline compliance.
• Own the annual budgeting and quarterly reforecast processes for the entire group.
• Accountable for timely ERP conversions and the implementation of a unified monthly close process that meets Cedar’s standards.
• Manage the annual audit and tax processes across the group.

• Own the hiring and onboarding of accounting and finance teammates for existing and incoming companies.
• Lead and manage finance and accounting teammates across the five operating companies.
• Oversee the team’s individual skill and expertise development, coach existing and new staff members on best practices.
• Set the strategy for the long-term finance and accounting team build-out alongside leadership.

• Implement automated dashboards for each business to provide real-time insight into operating performance.
• Deeply understand and report on the underlying drivers of each business.
• Effectively interpret and communicate results and takeaways to key stakeholders.

• Work with target operating company operators and support teams to complete the onboarding accounting checklist and fully onboard new acquisitions within 90 days.
• Project manage the accounting, finance, treasury, and insurance workstreams for each acquisition.
• Assess the target company’s finance team and identify potential issues early.
• Partner with QofE (Quality of Earnings) providers during diligence to assess historical earnings, accelerate understanding of the business, and design the onboarding plan and timeline.

• Quickly identify problems and develop and implement effective solutions
• Naturally curious and keen to learn about new businesses
• Ownership mindset
• Organized and process-obsessed
• Effective communication skills across various stakeholders
• “Can do” attitude, willing to get in volved in messy processes
• People-focused leader

• 7+ years of experience in accounting, with a strong understanding of financial statement preparation, multi-entity consolidation, and GAAP compliance
• Experience in public accounting, CPA preferred
• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, or a related field
• Proven ability to identify and address data anomalies, ensuring accuracy and consistency in financial reports
• Experience leading or supporting financial audits and meeting tax requirements