Contract Controller

Professional Staffing; Canada; On-site; CAD 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

Professional Staffing seeks an experienced Controller to lead and oversee the organization’s financial operations on a contract basis in Canada. Reporting to the Director, Corporate Finance, the Controller ensures accuracy, integrity, and timeliness of financial records while maintaining strong internal controls.

The role covers financial operations, project accounting, accounts payable, cash management, payroll accounting, and external financial reporting, with responsibility for year-end audit

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Business, or a related discipline.
• Minimum 5 years of progressive financial management and accounting experience.
• Experience with project accounting and/or fund accounting.
• Experience working in a non-profit or mission-driven organization is desirable.
• CPA designation or equivalent professional accounting qualification is considered an asset.
• Strong knowledge of financial reporting and internal controls.
• Proficiency with financial systems; PeopleSoft experience is an asset.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making abilities.

Responsibilities

• Lead and develop a team of three finance professionals; establish objectives and performance expectations.
• Oversee day-to-day financial operations, month-end and year-end close processes; ensure accuracy and timely records.
• Manage accounts payable, invoicing, payments, and cash management; monitor expenses and reimbursements.
• Coordinate external audits and support annual financial statements; ensure regulatory compliance.
• Enhance internal controls and streamline financial processes; drive automation and efficiency.
• Provide finance training and documentation; support cross-functional collaboration.

Skills

Financial mgmt

Project accounting

Internal controls

Leadership

Financial reporting

Audits coordination

Excel proficiency

Analytical thinking

Communication

Team development

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Accounting/Finance/Business

CPA designation (asset)

Tools

PeopleSoft

Microsoft Excel

Job description

We are seeking an experienced Controller to provide leadership and oversight of the organization’s financial operations on a contract basis.

Reporting to the Director, Corporate Finance, the Controller will be responsible for ensuring the accuracy, integrity, and timeliness of financial records and transactions, while maintaining strong internal controls and efficient financial processes.

The Controller will oversee financial operations, project accounting, accounts payable and payments, cash management, payroll accounting, financial reporting, and year-end audit activities. Working closely with the Director, Corporate Finance and other internal stakeholders, the Controller will also support the preparation of external financial statements and ensure compliance with applicable financial and regulatory requirements.

This is a hands‑on leadership role requiring strong technical accounting and financial management expertise, excellent attention to detail, sound judgment, and the ability to work independently while collaborating effectively across the organization.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead, manage, mentor, and develop a team of three finance professionals.
• Establish individual and team objectives, priorities, and performance expectations.
• Allocate workloads effectively and ensure appropriate backup and cross‑training across the team.
• Monitor performance and provide ongoing coaching, feedback, and support.
• Conduct performance reviews and establish annual performance objectives.
• Identify training and development opportunities to strengthen team capabilities.
• Foster a collaborative, accountable, and high‑performing finance environment.
• Support talent attraction and retention initiatives.

2. Financial Operations & Accounting

• Oversee the day‑to‑day financial operations and ensure accounting records are accurate, complete, and maintained on a timely basis.
• Oversee project accounting processes and ensure expenses and revenues are appropriately allocated to projects.
• Lead and manage month‑end and year‑end close processes.
• Establish and maintain effective financial procedures and internal controls.
• Oversee account reconciliations and investigate and resolve discrepancies.
• Ensure financial policies and procedures remain current and aligned with organizational requirements.
• Identify opportunities to improve financial processes, automation, efficiency, and controls.
• Support the development and delivery of finance training across the organization.
• Ensure appropriate documentation of financial processes and controls.

3. Accounts Payable, Invoicing & Payments

• Oversee the timely and accurate processing and payment of vendor and supplier invoices.
• Ensure employee expense claims, travel expenses, and reimbursements are processed accurately and on time.
• Monitor payment schedules and ensure compliance with contractual payment terms and internal policies.
• Maintain appropriate controls over the payment process.

4. Cash Receipts & Cash Management

• Oversee the receipt, recording, and processing of cash and other payments.
• Work closely with the Senior Analyst, Cash Management and Automation, to ensure adequate funds are available to meet operational requirements.
• Oversee bank reconciliations and ensure cash management controls are effective and properly documented.
• Monitor compliance with established cash management policies and procedures.

5. Payroll Accounting

• Ensure payroll journal entries are accurately prepared, reviewed, and posted on a timely basis.
• Monitor payroll-related financial controls.
• Review and approve payroll journal entries and investigate variances or discrepancies as required.
• Work with relevant internal teams to resolve payroll accounting issues.
• Support the preparation and review of monthly and annual financial statements.
• Ensure month‑end reporting processes are completed accurately and within established deadlines.
• Manage the year‑end audit process, including coordination with external auditors and preparation of supporting documentation.
• Work closely with the Director, Corporate Finance on external financial reporting requirements.
• Assess financial reporting requirements and work with finance leadership and internal stakeholders to ensure reporting meets organizational needs.
• Ensure financial information provided to management is accurate, timely, and complete.
• Support compliance with applicable accounting standards, regulatory requirements, and organizational policies.

Qualifications & Experience

Required

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Business, or a related discipline, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Minimum 5 years of progressive financial management and accounting experience, including experience in a Controller or similar senior accounting role.
• Strong knowledge of financial accounting, reporting, internal controls, and financial operations.
• Experience with project accounting and/or fund accounting.
• Experience working in a non‑profit or mission‑driven organization is highly desirable.
• Experience managing month‑end and year‑end close processes.
• Experience managing or coordinating external financial audits.
• Strong knowledge of financial reporting and accounting processes.
• Proficiency with financial systems and advanced Microsoft Excel skills; PeopleSoft experience is an asset.
• Strong analytical, problem‑solving, and decision‑making abilities.
• Excellent organizational skills and ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Proven ability to lead, coach, and develop a finance team.
• Ability to work independently while collaborating effectively with cross‑functional teams.
• CPA designation or equivalent professional accounting qualification is considered an asset.
• Demonstrated commitment to organizational mission, values, accountability, and ethical financial management.

The successful candidate will demonstrate:

• Empowerment & Trust – Builds a culture of trust, accountability, and collaboration.
• Vision & Goal Setting – Establishes clear priorities and measurable objectives.
• Strategic Thinking & Innovation – Identifies opportunities to improve financial processes, systems, and organizational effectiveness.
• Decision Making – Uses sound financial judgment and analysis to make timely decisions.
• Accountability – Takes ownership of results and maintains high standards of financial integrity.

Safeguarding & Organizational Culture

The Controller is expected to contribute to an organizational culture that:

• Promotes equality, inclusion, trust, and respect.
• Reduces power imbalances and supports a safe and respectful workplace.
• Maintains a zero‑tolerance approach to sexual harassment, sexual exploitation, sexual abuse, and child abuse.
• Supports strong safeguarding, prevention, reporting, and response practices consistent with organizational policies and standards.
• Demonstrates ethical conduct and accountability in all financial and operational activities.

Working Conditions

What You Will Bring

The ideal candidate is a hands‑on Controller and finance leader who can take ownership of the organization's accounting operations, strengthen controls and processes, lead a small finance team, and ensure accurate and timely financial reporting.

You will be comfortable operating in a complex environment, managing competing priorities, working with senior leadership and external auditors, and identifying opportunities to improve financial processes and systems.

Candidates must be eligible to work in Canada