Financial Analyst

MED-ENG & PSP - THE SAFARILAND GROUP; Ottawa; On-site; CAD 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

MED-ENG & PSP - THE SAFARILAND GROUP is seeking a Financial Analyst to support financial close activities, account reconciliations, financial reporting, cost accounting and budgeting.

You will own assigned accounting processes, prepare supporting documentation, and contribute to variance analysis and operational decision-making with cross-functional teams. A Bachelor’s degree and 3+ years of experience with ERP systems and Excel are required, CPA progression is preferred.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration or related field; equivalency considered.
• CPA designation or progress toward CPA preferred.
• Minimum three years of progressive accounting or financial analysis experience.
• Strong knowledge of general ledger accounting, journal entries, reconciliations and month-end close.
• Experience with ERP systems and Microsoft Excel to analyze financial information.
• Manufacturing, cost, inventory, project accounting, budgeting or forecasting experience preferred.
• Experience with Microsoft Dynamics 365, OneStream, Power BI or similar systems is an asset.
• Excellent attention to detail and ability to explain financial information clearly.
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills; able to handle confidential information.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines.
• Strong written and verbal communication with cross-functional teams.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively with Finance and Operations.
• Continuous improvement mindset for processes and controls.

Responsibilities

• Perform month-end, quarter-end and year-end close activities including journal entries.
• Prepare balance sheet and general ledger reconciliations; resolve reconciling items.
• Own assigned accounting processes with supporting documentation.
• Prepare schedules supporting monthly, quarterly and annual financial reporting.
• Assist with cost accounting, manufacturing analysis and pricing support.
• Support budgeting, forecasting, variance analysis and capital expenditures.
• Maintain asset records and depreciation; reconcile subledger to GL.
• Support SR&ED schedules and cash reconciliation duties.

Skills

General ledger

Journal entries

Month-end close

ERP systems

Microsoft Excel

Power BI

Dynamics 365

OneStream

Cost accounting

Inventory accounting

Budgeting/Forecasting

Data analysis

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree in Accounting/Finance/Management

CPA designation or in-progress CPA

Tools

Microsoft Dynamics 365

OneStream

Power BI

Job description

Reporting to the Corporate Controller, the Financial Analyst is primarily responsible for financial close activities, account reconciliations, financial reporting, cost accounting and the maintenance of accurate financial records. The position owns assigned accounting processes and financial statement accounts, ensuring transactions are properly recorded, balances are supported and issues are resolved within reporting timelines. The role also provides targeted support for budgeting, forecasting, variance analysis, capital expenditures and operational decision-making.

Key Responsibilities

Financial Accounting and Reporting

• Perform assigned month-end, quarter-end and year-end close activities, including preparing and posting journal entries.
• Prepare and maintain balance sheet and general ledger reconciliations; investigate and resolve reconciling items promptly.
• Own assigned accounting processes and financial statement accounts, with complete and well-organized supporting documentation.
• Prepare schedules and analyses supporting monthly, quarterly and annual financial reporting.
• Perform expense reconciliation and other general accounting duties.
• Maintain capital asset records, including additions, disposals, transfers, depreciation and amortization; reconcile the subledger to the general ledger.
• Support project accounting and revenue recognition, including percentage-of-completion accounting under applicable standards, including U.S. GAAP ASC 606 where applicable.
• Assist with SR&ED schedules and supporting documentation; provide backup for daily cash reconciliations and the weekly cash-flow model.

Cost Accounting and Manufacturing Support

• Assist with standard costing activities and periodic cost updates.
• Analyze material, labour and overhead variances; investigate unusual trends and summarize findings.
• Support inventory accounting, reconciliations, reserves, valuation and physical inventory counts.
• Analyze product costs, gross margins and profitability; support pricing and non-standard pricing proposals.
• Assist Finance and Operations with manufacturing, inventory and cost analyses.

Planning, Analysis and Capital

• Assist with annual budgeting, periodic forecasts and monthly actual-to-budget/forecast variance analysis.
• Investigate significant variances and clearly summarize the underlying business drivers.
• Support monthly management reporting and ad hoc financial analysis.
• Support capital expenditure proposals through ROI, payback and sensitivity analysis, and monitor approved spending.

Controls, Audit, Systems and Improvement

• Support effective internal controls and compliance with accounting policies and procedures.
• Prepare schedules and documentation for internal and external audits and assist with corrective actions.
• Support Finance-related ERP activities, including chart of accounts, standard costing and financial master data.
• Assist with system testing and data validation; identify opportunities to simplify, standardize or automate recurring processes.
• Maintain current process documentation and provide backup support to other Finance team members as required.

Qualifications and Experience

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration or a related discipline; an equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered.
• CPA designation or active progression toward a CPA designation is preferred.
• Minimum three years of progressive accounting or financial analysis experience.
• Demonstrated experience with general ledger accounting, journal entries, account reconciliations and month-end close.
• Experience using ERP systems and Microsoft Excel to analyze financial information.
• Manufacturing, cost accounting, inventory accounting, project accounting, budgeting or forecasting experience is preferred.
• Experience with Microsoft Dynamics 365, OneStream, Power BI or comparable systems is an asset.
• Strong knowledge of general ledger accounting and financial reporting, with working knowledge of cost and inventory accounting.
• Advanced Excel skills and the ability to investigate discrepancies, analyze variances and identify root causes.
• Strong attention to detail, organization and commitment to accuracy.
• Ability to manage competing priorities and meet month-end and reporting deadlines.
• Clear written and verbal communication, including the ability to explain financial information to non-financial stakeholders.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively with Finance and Operations.
• Good judgment when handling confidential information and a practical continuous-improvement mindset.

General Responsibilities

Maintain the confidentiality and security of financial and business information; comply with company policies, procedures and internal controls; participate in Finance projects and continuous-improvement initiatives; and perform other accounting and financial analysis duties as assigned.