Assistant Controller

Smartrend Manufacturing Group; Winnipeg; On-site; CAD 95,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive compensation

Group insurance with HSA

Paid vacation

Company shutdown from Christmas to New

Year

Job summary

Smartrend Manufacturing Group (SMG), Inc. is seeking an Assistant Controller to lead financial accounting operations, cost accounting in a manufacturing setting, and budgeting/forecasting. You will partner with operations and management to analyze performance, monitor costs, and deliver actionable insights.

The role reports to the Controller and guides the accounting team through close processes. The ideal candidate has CPA credentials or progress toward certification, 5+ years in manufacturing

Qualifications

• CPA designation or actively pursuing CPA certification.
• 5+ years of progressive accounting experience, preferably in a manufacturing environment.
• Strong knowledge of financial reporting, cost accounting, budgeting, forecasting, and financial analysis.
• Experience supporting manufacturing operations through standard costing, cost accounting, inventory valuation, and variance analysis.
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel, including financial modeling, reporting, and data analysis.
• Experience using ERP systems such as NetSuite and business intelligence tools such as Power BI or comparable reporting platforms.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and leadership skills.
• Exceptional organizational skills, sound judgment, and the ability to manage competing priorities while meeting deadlines.
• A continuous improvement mindset with the initiative to improve financial processes, reporting, and internal controls.

Responsibilities

• Support month-end and year-end financial statement preparation and variance analysis.
• Contribute to month end close processes, including cost analysis, reconciliations, accruals, commission calculations, and borrowing base reporting.
• Maintain manufacturing standard costs, analyze cost variances, and recommend actions that improve operational efficiency and financial performance.
• Develop cost models that support new product introductions and manufacturing initiatives.
• Develop and maintain scalable financial models to evaluate business performance, growth initiatives, and support strategic planning.
• Lead the annual budgeting process including coordinating departmental budget submissions.
• Collaborate with department leaders to monitor spending against budget and maintain departmental forecasts.
• Support internal and external audits, including annual year end audit.
• Identify opportunities to leverage technology and business intelligence tools to enhance reporting capabilities.

Skills

Cost accounting

Financial analysis

Budgeting & forecasting

Financial reporting

Leadership

Excel

Data analytics

Education

CPA Certification / CPA in progress

Bachelors in Accounting or Finance

Tools

NetSuite

Power BI

Job description

WHO WE ARE

Smartrend Manufacturing Group (SMG), Inc. is one of Manitoba's fastest-growing companies, committed to increasing safety in the school bus industry and reducing emissions in the electric vehicle charging sector through our diverse divisions. We design and develop exciting, patented, and innovative technologies that make a real and lasting impact across multiple industries.

At the heart of our success are the values that guide everything we do:

• People - our team is what makes us special


• Passion - from our hearts and minds, demonstrated through our actions


• Priority - we put the customer first, every day, in everything we do


• Partnership - with each other, our customers, and our suppliers

We provide a supportive environment where hard work, passions, and goals are recognized. Innovation and collaboration are at the heart of what we do. Share your drive and aspirations with us, and we'll ensure that your efforts open doors to new opportunities and growth.

THE POSITION

The Assistant Controller is a proactive and analytical finance professional who plays a key role in financial accounting operations, cost accounting within a manufacturing environment, budgeting and forecasting through financial models, and continuous improvement on financial processes to support the Company's continued growth. Reporting to the Controller, the Senior Accountant will provide leadership and guidance to the accounting team, support month end and year end close processes, and partners closely with operations, production, and management to analyze business performance, monitor manufacturing costs, and provide actionable financial insights.

HOW YOU WILL BE MAKING AN IMPACT

• Support month-end and year-end financial statement preparation and variance analysis.


• Contribute to month end close processes, including cost analysis, reconciliations, accruals, commission calculations, and borrowing base reporting.


• Maintain manufacturing standard costs, analyze cost variances, and recommend actions that improve operational efficiency and financial performance.


• Develop cost models that support new product introductions and manufacturing initiatives.


• Develop and maintain scalable financial models to evaluate business performance, growth initiatives, and support strategic planning.


• Lead the annual budgeting process including coordinating departmental budget submissions.


• Collaborate with department leaders to monitor spending against budget and maintain departmental forecasts.


• Support internal and external audits, including annual year end audit.


• Identify opportunities to leverage technology and business intelligence tools to enhance reporting capabilities.

WHAT SUCCESS LOOKS LIKE

• Financial reporting delivers accurate, timely, and meaningful insights that support strategic decision-making.


• Manufacturing standard costs and profitability are monitored effectively, with opportunities for improvement identified and communicated.


• Budgets and forecasts align with business objectives and support informed operational decisions.


• Financial models provide reliable, scalable analysis that supports strategic business decisions, and long-term growth.


• Department leaders receive timely financial guidance that strengthens accountability and performance.


• Lead continuous improvement initiatives by strengthening financial reporting, improving data integrity, and increasing process automation.

WHAT SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE YOU REQUIRE

CPA designation or actively pursuing CPA certification.

5+ years of progressive accounting experience, preferably in a manufacturing environment.

Strong knowledge of financial reporting, cost accounting, budgeting, forecasting, and financial analysis.

Experience supporting manufacturing operations through standard costing, cost accounting, inventory valuation, and variance analysis.

Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel, including financial modeling, reporting, and data analysis.

Experience using ERP systems such as NetSuite and business intelligence tools such as Power BI or comparable reporting platforms.

Strong analytical, problem-solving, and leadership skills

Exceptional organizational skills, sound judgment, and the ability to manage competing priorities while meeting deadlines.

A continuous improvement mindset with the initiative to improve financial processes, reporting, and internal controls.

THE BENEFITS OF BEING PART OF OUR TEAM

Share your passion and drive with us, and we'll provide an environment where your contributions are recognized, rewarded, and celebrated - supporting your professional growth and job satisfaction. We offer our team members a comprehensive benefits package, including:

• Competitive compensation with a negotiable starting salary based on experience.


• Group insurance plan with a health spending account.


• Paid vacation.


• Company-paid shutdown from Christmas to New Year's.


• Opportunities for career advancement with a growing company