Assistant Controller (18-Month Contract)

Colonial Group; Calgary; On-site; CAD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Colonial Group is seeking an Assistant Controller for the Western Region Finance - Regional Services. The role focuses on timely recognition of capital, leasing, and development costs across a diverse portfolio, requiring strong accounting leadership and collaboration within a regional team.

The position manages leasing and development accounting activities, budgets, forecasts, and periodic reporting, with a emphasis on accuracy, client management, and adherence to policy and industry standards.

Qualifications

• CPA designation or nearing completion required.
• University or college degree in business and accounting.
• Minimum five years of experience in real estate accounting.
• Excellent customer service and communication skills.
• Strong problem solving and decision-making skills.
• Adept at managing resources and staff.
• Familiarity with Yardi Voyager 7S.
• Experience with Job Costing.
• Highly proficient in MS Outlook, Teams, Excel, and Word.
• Experience in commercial developments.
• Familiarity with reading and interpreting contracts.
• Property management experience beneficial.

Responsibilities

• Overseeing building, leasing, and development job set up and related commitments.
• Management of vendor invoice payment process.
• Management of holdback liability account.
• Monthly review of leasing and capital amortization and accruals.
• Accurate and timely maintenance of the general ledger.
• Completion of annual budgets and quarterly forecasts.
• Review of calculation and invoice preparation for construction and development fees.
• Review of invoices for insurance claim reimbursement and recovery of construction costs from third parties.
• Cyclical and ad hoc reporting.
• Other duties as assigned.

Skills

Customer service

Communication skills

Problem solving

Decision making

Staff management

Leadership

Real estate accounting

Contract reading

Property management

Collaboration

Education

CPA designation or nearing completion

University or college degree in business and accounting

Tools

Yardi Voyager 7S

Job Costing

MS Outlook

MS Teams

Excel

Word

Job description

Western Region Finance - Regional Services is seeking an Assistant Controller to join the team. This is an excellent opportunity for an accounting professional with 5+ years of accounting experience and 1-2 years of leadership experience who is looking to further develop their career within a dynamic and collaborative environment.

The Assistant Controller is responsible for the timely recognition of commercial leasing, commercial building, and commercial and multi-residential development capital within our portfolio. The Western Region portfolio extends from British Columbia east to Manitoba and includes office, retail, industrial, and ground lease assets.

We are looking for a collaborative and approachable team player who brings a positive attitude, strong work ethic, and a sense of enthusiasm to the workplace. Someone who values teamwork, builds strong relationships, and contributes to a supportive and engaging team culture will thrive in this role.

RESPONSIBILITIES

The Assistant Controller leads and supports a team of individuals performing a variety of capital, leasing, and development accounting activities in accordance with GWL Realty Advisors policies and procedures, client management agreements, and prevailing requirements of accounting and industry bodies. Duties include, but are not limited to:

• Overseeing building, leasing, and development job set up and related commitments
• Management of vendor invoice payment process
• Management of holdback liability account
• Monthly review of leasing and capital amortization and accruals
• Accurate and timely maintenance of the general ledger
• Completion of annual budgets and quarterly forecasts
• Review of calculation and invoice preparation for construction and development fees;
• Review of invoices for insurance claim reimbursement and recovery of construction costs from third parties
• Cyclical and ad hoc reporting
• Other duties as assigned

QUALIFICATIONS

• CPA designation or nearing completion
• University or college degree in business and accounting
• Minimum five years' experience in real estate accounting
• Excellent customer service and communication skills
• Strong problem solving and decision-making skills
• Adept at managing resources and staff
• Familiarity with Yardi Voyager 7S
• Experience with Job Costing
• Highly proficient in Microsoft MS Outlook, Teams, Excel, and Word;
• Experience in commercial developments
• Familiarity with reading and interpreting contracts
• Property management experience beneficial