JOB DESCRIPTION
Vice President of Finance & Accounting
| Title/Scope: |
Vice President of Finance & Accounting /Full-time |
| Department: |
Executive Leadership – UAG/UCA |
| Reports to: |
Chief Executive Officer |
| Location: |
Center Valley, PA |
| Date: |
September 1, 2026 |
Universal Compressed Air is a privately-owned and thriving high-technology business in Pennsylvania’s Lehigh Valley focused on compressed air systems for industry. UCA, with the support of its parent company Universal Air Gases (UAG), brings decades of Industrial Gas expertise to Compressed Air Supply Systems (CAS). Our PIPELINE AIR
TM CAS are designed, engineered, built, operated, and maintained to deliver compressed air as a utility and, in every case, an efficient, reliable, and application-tailored solution to maximize savings and optimize the end user’s success.
Position Summary
The Vice President of Finance & Accounting is a senior executive responsible for leading all financial functions of the company, including financial strategy, accounting, FP&A, project finance, capital markets, M&A, and risk management. The role supports a capital-intensive business model involving the design, construction, ownership, operation, and maintenance of industrial gas and compressed air assets, often under long-term customer contracts.
This role serves as a strategic partner to the CEO and COO and executive leadership team, ensuring disciplined capital allocation, scalable financial infrastructure, and strong financial performance while supporting growth through organic expansion, acquisitions, and strategic transactions.
To fulfill the requirements of the position, the incumbent must develop close working relationships and work collaboratively with UAG and UCA leadership, Engineering and Technology Manager, Project Managers, Project Engineers, Engineering & Technology, Operations & Safety, Procurement, Commercial Team, Customers, Suppliers, Service Providers and Contractors.
The major challenge of the position is to achieve success through working with a diverse team, delivering on environmental, health, safety, and quality goals, while maintaining a close working relationship with vendors, contractors, and customers.
Principal Accountabilities
Financial Strategy & Executive Leadership
- Develop and execute the company’s financial strategy aligned with corporate objectives and long-term growth plans
- Function as a strategic advisor to the CEO and COO and leadership team on financial performance, capital deployment, and risk
- Support corporate strategy including organic growth, project development, joint ventures, and acquisitions
- Present financial results, forecasts, and investment cases to the Board of Directors and investors
Financial Planning & Analysis (FP&A)
- Lead annual budgeting, forecasting, and long-range planning processes
- Develop and oversee financial models at both corporate and project levels, including BOO/BOOT and long-term supply agreements
- Analyze financial performance by plant, customer, contract, and business line
- Establish and track KPIs related to plant utilization, margins, operating costs, cash flow, and return on invested capital
Accounting, Reporting & Controls
- Oversee accounting operations including general ledger, cost accounting, revenue recognition, fixed assets, and inventory
- Ensure timely, accurate monthly, quarterly, and annual financial statements in compliance with GAAP (or IFRS, as applicable)
- Execute hard quarterly closings and continuously improve speed of close.
- Maintain strong internal controls, policies, and procedures
- Manage external audits, tax advisors, and statutory filings
Project Finance & Capital Management
- Lead financing activities for capital-intensive projects, including project debt, corporate facilities, equity, and lease structures
- Work with lenders, investors, and financial institutions to negotiate financing terms and manage covenants
- Oversee cash management, liquidity planning, and working capital optimization
- Evaluate and approve capital expenditures for new plants, expansions, and major maintenance initiative
Mergers, Acquisitions & Strategic Transactions
- Lead all financial aspects of mergers, acquisitions, divestitures, and joint ventures from initial evaluation through post-close integration
- Identify and evaluate acquisition targets aligned with strategic objectives, including industrial gas assets, operating plants, customer contracts, and engineering or infrastructure platforms
- Build detailed valuation models (DCF, accretion/dilution, IRR, ROIC) and investment memoranda for executive and board approval
- Coordinate financial due diligence, including quality of earnings, asset condition, contract economics, liabilities, and capital requirements
- Partner with Legal, Engineering, Operations, and external advisors to structure transactions that are financially sound and bankable
- Support negotiation of transaction terms, financing structures, and purchase agreements
- Lead post-acquisition financial integration, including systems, controls, reporting, and performance tracking
- Monitor acquired asset performance against the original investment thesis and synergy assumptions
Commercial & Risk Management Support
- Support commercial teams with pricing models, customer proposals, and contract economics
- Evaluate financial risks associated with long-term contracts, commodity exposure, plant performance, and counterparty credit
- Partner with Legal and Operations to ensure contracts appropriately allocate financial and operational risk
Team, Systems & Process Leadership
- Build, lead, and develop a high-performing finance, accounting, FP&A, and project finance organization
- Implement and enhance ERP, project accounting, and reporting systems to support growth and scalability
- Drive continuous improvement in financial processes, analytics, and decision support
- Oversee the IT, administrative and HR functions, including ERP and other administrative systems development.
Qualifications & Experience
- Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Accounting, Economics, or related field (MBA, CPA, or CFA preferred)
- Great depth and breadth of finance leadership experience, ideally within:
- Industrial gases
- Energy, utilities, or infrastructure
- Engineering, EPC, or capital-intensive industrial businesses
- Demonstrated experience with capital-intensive assets, project finance, and long-term customer contracts
- Proven M&A experience including valuation, financial due diligence, transaction execution, and post-acquisition integration
- Experience working with lenders, investors, boards, and external advisors
- Strong financial modeling, cash flow management, and cost accounting skills
Key Competencies
- Strategic and analytical thinker with strong business judgment
- Comfortable operating in technically complex, engineering-driven environments
- Hands-on leader who balances detail with executive-level perspective
- Strong communicator able to translate financial insights to non-financial stakeholders
- High integrity, accountability, and operational discipline
Compensation & Benefits
Along with an exciting, growth-oriented work environment, we offer the following:
- 401K with employer contributions
- Medical, dental, & vision plans
- PTO and paid holidays
- HSA, Short-term & Long-term Disability options.
