Controller

Aplin; Saskatoon; On-site; CAD 110,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

Aplin has partnered with a Saskatchewan-based manufacturer/consumer products company to recruit a hands-on Controller. This role leads day-to-day accounting, inventory costing, and financial reporting across multiple entities, reporting to leadership and partnering with operations to drive profitability.

The successful candidate will bring a strong background in manufacturing finance, multi-entity accounting, and a proactive approach to improving processes and controls.

Qualifications

• Minimum five years of progressive accounting experience including financial reporting and full accounting cycle.
• Strong experience in manufacturing, inventory-based businesses, wholesale distribution, or consumer products.
• Solid understanding of inventory accounting, cost of goods sold, product costing, and related processes.
• Experience with multi-entity accounting and intercompany transactions.
• Proficiency with Excel; experience with QuickBooks Online is highly desirable.
• CPA designation is an asset; equivalent practical experience valued.

Responsibilities

• Oversee the day-to-day accounting function across multiple entities with intercompany activity.
• Ensure accurate financial reporting, internal controls, and robust accounting policies.
• Manage accounts payable, accounts receivable, payroll, and government remittances.
• Coordinate year-end requirements and liaise with external accounting professionals.
• Analyze margins, costs, and inventory-related financial performance to inform decisions.
• Identify opportunities to improve inventory controls, costing methodologies, and operational reporting.

Skills

Financial reporting

Intercompany accounting

Cost accounting

Multi-entity accounting

Excel

CPA designation

Education

CPA designation (asset)

Tools

QuickBooks Online

Job description

Manufacturing | Consumer Products | Wholesale & E-Commerce

Location: Saskatoon, Saskatchewan

Are you a hands-on accounting professional who enjoys being close to the business, solving problems, and making a real impact?

Aplin is partnering with a growing Saskatchewan-based company in the consumer products and manufacturing industry to recruit a Controller.

Operating in a dynamic, vertically integrated environment that encompasses manufacturing, wholesale distribution, and e-commerce, this organization is looking for a financially savvy, detail-oriented professional who can bring structure, insight, and leadership to its accounting operations.

This is an excellent opportunity for someone who thrives in an entrepreneurial environment, enjoys rolling up their sleeves, and wants to play an important role in the continued growth and success of a business.

We’re looking for someone who can see beyond the numbers, understands how products move through a business, and takes pride in building accurate, efficient financial processes that support sound decision-making.

The Opportunity As Controller, you’ll take ownership of the day-to-day accounting function, ensuring accurate financial reporting, strong internal controls, and effective financial processes across multiple business entities.

Working closely with the leadership team and operational stakeholders, you’ll play a key role in connecting financial information with the realities of manufacturing, inventory management, wholesale distribution, and online sales.

This is a hands-on position that offers variety, autonomy, and the opportunity to make meaningful improvements as the business continues to evolve.

What You’ll Be Doing

Financial Accounting & Reporting

• Oversee the full accounting cycle, including general ledger management, month-end and year-end close, reconciliations, and financial reporting.
• Prepare and analyze financial statements, ensuring accuracy, completeness, and timely reporting.
• Manage accounting activities across multiple entities, including intercompany transactions and reconciliations.
• Oversee accounts payable, accounts receivable, payroll, and applicable government remittances.
• Coordinate year-end requirements and work with external accounting professionals as needed.
• Maintain effective internal controls, accounting policies, and financial processes.

Manufacturing, Inventory & Cost Accounting

• Oversee inventory accounting, including inventory valuation, reconciliations, and cost of goods sold.
• Support accurate product costing, including raw materials, production costs, bills of materials, and manufacturing variances.
• Work closely with operations to understand production activities, inventory movements, and their financial implications.
• Monitor and analyze margins, product costs, and inventory-related financial performance.
• Ensure financial accuracy across manufacturing, wholesale, and e-commerce activities.
• Identify opportunities to improve inventory controls, costing methodologies, and operational reporting.

Financial Analysis & Business Support

• Prepare meaningful financial and operational reports to support leadership decision-making.
• Assist with budgeting, forecasting, and cash-flow planning.
• Analyze financial results, identify trends, and provide insight into business performance.
• Partner with leadership to identify efficiencies, improve profitability, and support continued growth.
• Provide financial perspective on operational initiatives and business decisions.

Systems, Processes & Continuous Improvement

• Utilize QuickBooks Online, Excel, and other business systems to maintain accurate financial information.
• Strengthen accounting processes, reporting practices, and internal controls.
• Identify opportunities to improve efficiency through technology, automation, and better integration of financial and operational information.
• Help establish scalable accounting practices that can support an evolving business.

What You’ll Bring

• A minimum of five years of progressive accounting experience, ideally including responsibility for financial reporting and the full accounting cycle.
• Strong experience in manufacturing, inventory-based businesses, wholesale distribution, or consumer products.
• A solid understanding of inventory accounting, cost of goods sold, product costing, and manufacturing-related financial processes.
• Experience with multi-entity accounting and intercompany transactions.
• Strong technical accounting skills, financial analysis capabilities, and attention to detail.
• Proficiency with Excel and accounting software; experience with QuickBooks Online is highly desirable.
• A CPA designation is considered an asset, although equivalent practical experience will also be valued.
• The ability to work independently, manage competing priorities, and take ownership of results.
• Strong communication skills and the confidence to collaborate with business owners, leadership, and operational teams.

Who Will Thrive Here? Beyond technical accounting expertise, we’re looking for someone with the right mindset and approach.

You’ll likely be a great fit if you:

• Think like a business owner. You’re commercially minded, curious, and interested in understanding how the entire business operates.
• Love being hands-on. You’re equally comfortable preparing reconciliations, analyzing financial results, and discussing opportunities with leadership.
• Understand operational complexity. You appreciate how manufacturing, inventory, distribution, and sales channels affect financial performance.
• Are proactive and resourceful. You don’t wait for someone to identify a problem. You look for solutions and take initiative.
• Thrive in an entrepreneurial environment. You’re adaptable, comfortable with change, and energized by a growing business.
• Enjoy making things better. You naturally look for ways to strengthen processes, improve reporting, and create efficiencies.
• Bring a collaborative attitude. You’re approachable, dependable, and enjoy being part of a team where everyone contributes to the bigger picture.

Most importantly, you’re someone who takes pride in your work, enjoys variety, and wants to be more than just the person responsible for the numbers.

Why Consider This Opportunity?

This is an opportunity to join a growing Saskatchewan business operating in an exciting and evolving industry.

You’ll have the chance to:

• Take meaningful ownership of the accounting function.
• Work closely with an entrepreneurial leadership team.
• Gain exposure to multiple aspects of a vertically integrated business.
• Contribute ideas and improvements that have a direct impact on operations and profitability.
• Enjoy a diverse, hands-on role where your contributions are valued.
• Build your career alongside a business with opportunities for continued growth.

If you’re an experienced accounting professional who enjoys the challenge of a growing, product-based business and wants to make a tangible difference, we’d love to hear from you!

To be considered, applicants must be legally entitled to work in Canada, including holding any required permits. Our recruitment services are always free for job seekers. Accommodation is available upon request throughout all stages of the recruitment process.