Controller

Prime Material Handling Equipment Limited; Dartmouth; On-site; CAD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Prime Material Handling is seeking a Controller in Dartmouth, NS to manage our accounting operations and lead a 3-person team. Reporting to the Director of Finance, you will drive budgeting, cash flow forecasting, and GAAP-compliant financial reporting.

As a hands-on leader, you will balance strategic input with daily tasks, oversee payroll, and ensure compliance with statutory requirements while supporting business decisions and continuous process improvements.

Qualifications

• Post-secondary degree in Accounting, Business Administration or related field.
• CPA designation is highly valued.

Responsibilities

• Provide accurate financial data and recommendations to support growth and business decisions.
• Prepare timely monthly financial statements in accordance with GAAP.
• Collaborate on annual budgets and variance analysis with department heads.
• Develop cash flow forecasting models and monitor daily/weekly cash flow.
• Ensure statutory compliance and coordinate audits with CRA and WCB.
• Lead and mentor a 3-person accounting team and assist with daily tasks.
• Oversee payroll administration.

Skills

Financial analysis

Budgeting/Forecasting

Team leadership

Problem solving

Strategic thinking

Education

Post-secondary degree in Accounting or Business Administration

CPA designation (valued)

Tools

Microsoft Excel

Job description

Job Summary

The Controller contributes to the overall success of Prime Material Handling by effectively managing our financial tasks, corporate budgets, and accounting operations. Reporting directly to the Director of Finance, you will maximize return on financial assets by maintaining a strong control environment that ensures compliance with company and legislative policies.

As a growing company, we need a hands-on leader who will manage and mentor an experienced team of three accounting professionals, with a heavy, direct focus on overseeing Accounts Receivable (AR), billing, and cash collections. Beyond team management, you will take ownership of reconciliations, cash flow projections, and budgeting, while partnering with the Director of Finance to provide strategic direction and guidance on key business decisions. This role is a true "player-coach" position-requiring someone who is equally comfortable shaping strategy and rolling up their sleeves to support frontline daily tasks.

Job Posting: Controller

Company: Prime Material Handling

Reports To: Director of Finance

Location: Dartmouth, NS

Position Type: Full-time, Permanent

Key Duties And Responsibilities

Strategic Financial Management & Controller Functions

• Strategy & Guidance: Provide the Management Team with accurate, timely financial data and recommendations to support growth and business decisions.
• Financial Reporting: Develop and maintain timely, accurate monthly financial statements and reports in accordance with GAAP.
• Budgeting & Variance Analysis: Partner with the Director of Finance and department heads (including Parts and Service) to establish annual budgets; deliver clear analysis of actual results vs. budgets.
• Cash Flow Optimization: Develop, manage, and monitor rigorous daily and weekly cash flow forecasting models.
• Compliance & Audits: Ensure all statutory requirements are met; prepare all supporting information for the annual accounting review, CRA, and Workers' Compensation Board.
• Continuous Improvement: Continually leverage available resources to improve operational efficiency across financial, customer, and internal processes.

Team Leadership & Operational Focus

• Team Management: Supervise and mentor an experienced 3-person accounting team handling day-to-day transaction processing (AR and AP).
• Frontline Support: Demonstrate a genuine willingness to roll up your sleeves and assist the team with daily data entry, customer questions, and high-volume operations depending on the day's needs.
• Payroll Administration: Manage corporate payroll functions to ensure accurate and timely compensation.

Skills And Qualifications

• Education: Post-Secondary degree in Accounting, Business Administration, or a related field.
• Designation: A CPA professional designation is highly valued.
• Technical Skills: Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel is strictly required for data manipulation, modeling, and financial analysis.
• Systems Adaptability: Strong technical aptitude with the ability to quickly master and navigate our industry-specific ERP system.
• Experience: 5+ years of progressive corporate accounting experience, including team management and direct exposure to budgeting/forecasting.
• Leadership Style: A flexible, collaborative leader who empowers others, listens to varied perspectives, and stays close to the frontline work rather than focusing solely on high-level delegation.
• Problem Solving: Ability to use complex reasoning, brainstorm creative solutions to immediate operational issues, and translate organizational strategies into actionable plans.

Working Conditions

• Working in a climate-controlled office environment in Dartmouth, NS.
• Working in a fast-paced, growing business environment.
• Working overtime on occasion to meet month-end or budget deadlines.
• Sitting for extended periods of time.
• Travel between the head office and branches on occasion.

Prime Material Handling Equipment Limited offers a competitive salary, medical and dental plan, RSP and other benefits in a family-oriented, safe and respectful work environment that continually encourages its greatest assets to learn and develop!