A mission-driven organization is seeking a Controller to lead its accounting function and support strong financial management across a range of programs and funding sources. This opportunity is ideal for an experienced accounting professional who combines technical expertise with hands-on leadership, analytical thinking, and a genuine interest in the non-profit sector.
Reporting to the Chief Financial Officer, the Controller will oversee day-to-day accounting operations, lead a finance team, and ensure the accuracy and integrity of financial reporting. This role requires someone who can independently prepare and review financial statements, investigate variances, and provide meaningful insights to support leadership decisions.
What You'll Do
- Oversee daily accounting operations and provide leadership, guidance, and development to the finance team.
- Prepare and review monthly, quarterly, and annual financial statements, ensuring accuracy and compliance with applicable accounting standards.
- Manage month-end and year-end closing activities, including account reconciliations, supporting schedules, and working papers.
- Analyze financial results, investigate variances, and identify the underlying factors affecting financial performance.
- Oversee grant accounting, government funding, restricted contributions, and related financial reporting requirements.
- Lead budgeting, forecasting, and cash flow reporting to support effective financial planning.
- Ensure compliance with Canadian accounting standards applicable to not-for-profit organizations and relevant reporting obligations.
- Coordinate external audits and oversee year-end reporting requirements.
- Supervise accounts payable, accounts receivable, payroll, and general ledger activities.
- Maintain effective internal controls, accounting policies, and financial procedures.
- Provide clear financial analysis and reporting to the CFO and other organizational leaders.
- Lead the implementation of an updated payroll system, coordinating the transition, supporting process improvements, and helping ensure a smooth rollout.
What You Bring
- CPA designation is required.
- Previous accounting experience within a non-profit or charitable organization is essential.
- Proven experience in a Controller or senior Accounting Manager role, including responsibility for managing a finance team.
- Strong technical accounting knowledge and hands-on experience preparing financial statements independently.
- Solid understanding of non-profit accounting, government funding, grants, restricted contributions, and related reporting requirements.
- Experience managing month-end and year-end close processes, reconciliations, and external audits.
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to question results, investigate discrepancies, and understand the drivers behind financial performance.
- Experience overseeing core accounting functions, including accounts payable, accounts receivable, payroll, and general ledger.
- Ability to balance people leadership with direct involvement in accounting operations.
- Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to work effectively with finance colleagues and senior leadership.
- A practical, inquisitive approach and the ability to step into an established finance function and contribute effectively.
- Experience with payroll system implementations or process improvement initiatives is an asset.
Why Join
This is an opportunity to contribute your financial expertise to an organization with a meaningful community impact. You'll play an important role in supporting responsible stewardship of funding, strengthening financial reporting, and helping ensure resources are managed effectively across programs and services.
