Assistant Controller

Microserve; Surrey; On-site; CAD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Microserve seeks an experienced Assistant Controller to join the Finance & Accounting team in a hands-on role overseeing day-to-day accounting across multiple entities. You will own inventory accounting, support monthly close, and enhance financial reporting and internal controls.

The ideal candidate has 5 years of progressive accounting experience, inventory costing expertise, and strong Excel and ERP skills, with CPA designation preferred.

Qualifications

• 5 years of progressive accounting experience in roles such as Assistant Controller or Accounting Manager.
• Hands-on inventory accounting experience including valuation, costing, reconciliations and write-downs.
• Experience in manufacturing/wholesale/distribution or inventory-intensive environments.
• CPA designation preferred but not required.
• Strong knowledge of IFRS/ASPE and financial reporting.
• Experience with month-end close, financial statements, reconciliations and variance analysis.
• Strong AP knowledge and internal controls.
• Experience with landed cost accounting or international vendors a plus.
• Advanced Excel (Pivot Tables, VLOOKUP/XLOOKUP) and ERP systems experience.
• Experience with multi-entity and cross-border accounting advantageous.

Responsibilities

• Own inventory accounting including valuation, reconciliations, costing, write-downs, and related reporting.
• Assist with monthly, quarterly, and annual financial statements and close activities.
• Prepare journal entries, accruals, reconciliations, and variance analyses with solid documentation.
• Oversee accounts payable processes, vendor transactions, and ERP entries per internal policies.
• Manage landed cost allocations, vendor accounting, and inventory transactions across entities.
• Support Canadian and U.S. tax filings, audits, payroll compliance, and internal controls.
• Identify opportunities to streamline accounting workflows and improve controls.
• Collaborate with internal teams and external partners to resolve issues and support business goals.

Skills

Inventory accounting

Financial reporting

Month-end close

Cross-entity accounting

Excel

Power BI

Education

CPA designation (preferred but not required)

Tools

Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central

Power BI

Excel

Job description

Our client is seeking a detail-oriented and proactive Assistant Controller to join their Finance & Accounting team. In this role, you will support the Controller in overseeing day-to-day accounting operations across multiple entities while playing a key role in inventory accounting, financial reporting, month-end close activities, compliance, and process improvement initiatives.

This is an excellent opportunity for an accounting professional who enjoys working in a hands-on environment, taking ownership of key accounting processes, and has experience working within a product-based, manufacturing, wholesale, or distribution environment where inventory accounting and costing are core responsibilities.

Key Responsibilities:

• Own inventory accounting: Manage inventory valuation, inventory reconciliations, inventory costing, write-downs, and ensure the accuracy of inventory-related financial reporting.
• Support financial reporting: Assist with the preparation of monthly, quarterly, and annual financial statements and ensure accurate and timely completion of close activities.
• Manage month-end processes: Prepare journal entries, accruals, account reconciliations, and variance analyses while maintaining strong supporting documentation.
• Oversee accounts payable operations: Review AP processes and ensure accurate processing of invoices, vendor transactions, and ERP entries in accordance with internal policies.
• Support operational accounting: Manage landed cost allocations, vendor accounting, and inventory-related transactions across multiple entities.
• Maintain compliance and controls: Support Canadian and U.S. tax filings, audit requirements, payroll compliance, and ongoing improvements to internal controls.
• Drive process improvements: Identify opportunities to enhance accounting workflows, reporting accuracy, inventory controls, and operational efficiencies.
• Collaborate with stakeholders: Work closely with internal teams and external partners to resolve accounting issues and support business objectives.

Qualifications:

• 5 years of progressive accounting experience in an Assistant Controller, Accounting Manager, Senior Accountant, or similar role.
• Hands-on experience with inventory accounting, including inventory valuation, costing, reconciliations, and inventory write-downs.
• Experience working within a manufacturing, wholesale, distribution, consumer products, or other inventory-intensive environment.
• CPA designation (CPA, CA, CMA, or CGA) highly preferred but not required.
• Strong understanding of financial reporting standards, including IFRS and ASPE.
• Experience supporting month-end close, financial statement preparation, reconciliations, and variance analysis.
• Strong knowledge of accounts payable processes, vendor accounting, and internal controls.
• Experience with landed cost accounting, imported inventory, or international vendors is considered a strong asset.
• Strong Excel skills, including Pivot Tables, VLOOKUP/XLOOKUP, and financial analysis.
• Experience working with ERP systems; Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central or similar platforms is considered an asset.
• Exposure to multi-entity and cross-border accounting environments is preferred.
• Experience with Power BI or similar reporting tools is considered an asset.
• A proactive, detail-oriented approach with strong organizational, communication, and problem-solving skills.

Note: This is an opportunity with a Microserve client.