Assistant Controller

Microserve; Surrey; On-site; CAD 85,000 - 115,000; Full time

Job summary

Microserve is seeking an Assistant Controller to join the Finance & Accounting team, supporting day-to-day operations across multiple entities with a hands-on approach. The role focuses on inventory accounting, financial reporting, month-end close, compliance, and process improvements in a product-based, manufacturing, wholesale, or distribution environment.

You'll collaborate with stakeholders to drive accuracy, efficiency, and controls, while coordinating Canadian and U.S.

Qualifications

• 3–5 years of progressive accounting in roles like Assistant Controller or Accounting Manager.
• Hands-on inventory accounting including valuation, costing and write-downs.
• Experience in manufacturing/wholesale/distribution or inventory-intensive environments.
• CPA designation preferred but not required.
• Strong IFRS/ASPE knowledge.
• Experience with month-end close, financial statements, reconciliations, and variance analysis.
• Strong AP processes, vendor accounting, and internal controls.
• Experience with landed cost accounting and international vendors is a plus.
• Strong Excel skills (Pivot, VLOOKUP/XLOOKUP) and financial analysis.
• ERP experience; Dynamics 365 Business Central or similar is a plus.
• Multi-entity and cross-border accounting exposure preferred.
• Power BI or similar reporting tools is an asset.

Responsibilities

• Own inventory accounting: Manage inventory valuation, reconciliations, costing, write-downs, and related reporting.
• Support financial reporting: Prepare monthly, quarterly, and annual statements and close activities.
• Manage month-end processes: Journal entries, accruals, reconciliations, and variance analyses.
• Oversee accounts payable operations: Review AP processes and vendor transactions.
• Support operational accounting: Landed cost allocations and inventory-related transactions across entities.
• Maintain compliance and controls: Tax filings, audits, payroll compliance, and internal controls.
• Drive process improvements: Identify opportunities to enhance workflows, reporting accuracy, inventory controls, and efficiencies.
• Collaborate with stakeholders: Work with internal teams and external partners to resolve issues.

Skills

Inventory accounting

Financial reporting

Month-end close

Excel

ERP systems

Power BI

Communication

Education

Accounting degree

CPA designation

Tools

Dynamics 365 BC

Power BI

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:

• 3–5 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.