Controller

MNP Executive Search & Professional Recruitment; Ottawa; Hybrid; CAD 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

MNP Executive Search & Professional Recruitment is looking for a Controller in Ottawa, Canada. This newly created role involves overseeing full-cycle accounting to support organizational growth. Key responsibilities include accurate bookkeeping, financial reporting, and compliance with government contracts. The ideal candidate will have a CPA designation and a minimum of three years of relevant experience. Comfort with technology and prior work in a startup environment is advantageous. Initial onboarding may be remote, transitioning to onsite work with flexibility.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 3 years of post‑designation full cycle accounting experience.
• Experience in creating and documenting accounting processes and procedures.
• Previous experience in technology sector and/or a startup organization is an asset.

Responsibilities

• Process accurate bookkeeping, including accounts payable, receivable, payroll.
• Prepare accurate and timely financial reporting, including income statement.
• Establish and maintain internal controls to safeguard financial integrity.

Skills

Full‑cycle accounting experience

CPA designation

Strong proficiency with Excel

Accounting for R&D and government grants

Experience in technology sector/startup

Education

CPA designation

Tools

Excel

QuickBooks Online (QBO)

Job description

This is a newly created role driven by organizational growth! The Controller is a critical pillar that supports the organization’s goals of continued success and future growth. Reporting directly to the owners of the company, this role will initially be a stand‑alone, full‑cycle position and will have a wide array of responsibilities. This startup organization requires a candidate who is comfortable with transactional tasks, reporting and analytical work, and is excited about growing with the company. The role may initially be onboarded remotely, later becoming a fully onsite position with some flexibility.

Key Responsibilities

• Process accurate and timely bookkeeping, including accounts payable, accounts receivable, payroll, bank reconciliations, and account reconciliations
• Complete month, quarter, and year‑end close processes, ensure timely tax remittances
• Prepare accurate and timely financial reporting, including income statement, balance sheet, cash flow forecast
• Establish and maintain internal controls to safeguard financial integrity
• Establish workflow process, set up financial systems (ERP), enabling detailed grant management and accounting for better controls, work processes, grant management & SR&ED accounting to better meet requirements of defence contracts
• Create and document accounting processes and procedures
• Develop and produce analytical reports and perform analysis to identify trends, risks, and opportunities
• Manage cost tracking and allocation across multiple R&D projects
• Prepare financial reports, reconciliations for all government contracts and ensure contract compliance
• Monitor grant budgets and prepare quarterly/annual reporting for research funding agencies
• Track and forecast project costs across quantum photonics R&D, manufacturing development and systems integration activities
• Support bid proposal development by providing accurate cost estimates and financial projections for new government contracts
• Liaise with external auditors on financial compliance matters
• Contribute to budgeting and financial planning

Skills and Qualifications

• Minimum of 3 years of post‑designation full‑cycle accounting experience
• CPA designation required
• Strong proficiency with technology tools, including Excel (QBO is an asset)
• Experience in creating and documenting accounting processes and procedures
• Experience in accounting for R&D and/or government grants is an asset
• Previous experience creating full set of month‑end reporting and analysis required
• Previous experience in technology sector and/or a startup organization is an asset

Core Competencies

• Entrepreneurial, risk‑averse, service‑oriented mindset with the ability to wear multiple hats
• Strong verbal and written communication skills and the ability to build effective working relationships
• Exceptional organizational and multitasking skills with high ability to prioritize
• Strong judgment, analytical capability, and decision‑making skills with a high degree of accuracy
• Highest level of confidentiality, ethics and integrity

Security and Compliance Requirements

• Must be able to obtain and maintain Government of Canada security clearance, if required for assigned projects
• Must be eligible to comply with requirements of the Controlled Goods Program, if required for assigned projects
• Must be willing to participate in background screening, documentation and compliance processes associated with security‑sensitive work