The Vice President, Principal Accounting Officer (PAO) is the senior-most accounting executive responsible for overseeing the airline’s corporate accounting, tax, SEC financial reporting, and internal controls. As the designated PAO for a soon-to-be-public airline, this role will be instrumental in building the accounting and tax infrastructure, policies, and compliance framework needed for a successful IPO and ongoing public company obligations. The PAO ensures the integrity of the company’s financial statements, meets all regulatory requirements, optimizes tax strategy, and supports the airline’s strategic growth plans through sound financial governance.

Airline Industry Accounting & Reporting

• Oversee complex accounting areas unique to airlines, including:
• Aircraft leases (ASC 842) – operating and finance lease accounting.
• Maintenance reserves and heavy maintenance capitalization.
• Frequent flyer/loyalty program liabilities (ASC 606).
• Passenger revenue recognition (ticket sales, breakage estimates).
• Airport incentive agreements and related contractual obligations.
• Direct monthly, quarterly, and year-end close processes to ensure timely and accurate reporting.

Tax Strategy & Compliance

• Oversee all federal, state, and local tax compliance, including income, excise, payroll, property, and fuel taxes.
• Develop and execute tax strategies that optimize the company’s effective tax rate while ensuring compliance with all applicable laws and regulations.
• Manage relationships with external tax advisors and ensure timely, accurate filing of all returns.
• Monitor legislative and regulatory developments to assess potential tax impacts to the airline.

Regulatory Compliance & Reporting

• Lead preparation and certification of SEC filings (10-K, 10-Q, 8-K, proxy statements) and related disclosures.
• Maintain compliance with GAAP, SEC regulations, Sarbanes-Oxley (SOX), and applicable FAA and DOT financial reporting requirements.
• Serve as primary liaison with external auditors, ensuring clean audit opinions and effective audit processes.

Public Company Readiness & IPO Support

• Lead the development of accounting and tax policies, systems, and controls to meet SEC, IRS and PCAOB standards in preparation for IPO.
• Partner with investment bankers, legal counsel, and auditors to prepare IPO-related disclosures, including S-1 registration statements.
• Coordinate with finance leadership to ensure readiness for quarterly and annual SEC filings immediately post-IPO.

Internal Controls & Risk Management

• Design and implement SOX-compliant internal control frameworks, documentation, and testing.
• Identify and mitigate financial reporting and tax-related risks, including those related to volatile fuel prices, foreign currency, and aircraft acquisition/disposition.

Leadership & Collaboration

• Build, mentor, and lead a high-performing accounting team capable of operating in a fast-paced public company environment.
• Collaborate with the CFO, and other executives on strategic initiatives, capital planning, tax strategy, and investor relations.
• Foster a culture of integrity, accountability, and operational excellence across the finance organization.

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field
• Certified Public Accountant (CPA) designation
• 15+ years of progressive accounting and tax leadership experience, including at least 5 years in a senior leadership role in a public company or IPO-prepping capacity.
• Deep expertise in SEC reporting, GAAP, SOX compliance, and PCAOB audit standards.
• Strong track record of building accounting infrastructure for IPO or public company environments.
• Exceptional leadership, communication, and cross-functional collaboration skills.

• Masters of Accounting or Business Administration
• Direct experience with airline or aviation industry accounting strongly preferred.

• Health, Vision and Dental
• Health Savings Account with Breeze Employee Match
• 401K with Breeze Employee Match
• PTO
• Travel on Breeze and other Airlines too!