Interim Controller

Clarity Recruitment; Toronto; Hybrid; CAD 90,000 - 103,000; Full time

Job summary

Clarity Recruitment seeks a detail-oriented accounting professional for a 12-month maternity leave backfill in Downtown Toronto. The role focuses on month-end close (NetSuite), audits, and cross-border reporting for a small PE-backed food & beverage manufacturer with cross-border CA/US exposure.

The ideal candidate will own financial accounting, support lender-facing reports, and drive process improvements in a lean team. Hybrid work arrangement with 2-3 days in office.

Qualifications

• Experience with NetSuite.
• Strong accounting background from a small PE-backed or privately owned company.
• Comfortable owning financial accounting and reporting independently in a lean team.
• Cross-border (CA/US) accounting exposure.

Responsibilities

• Own month-end close (~10-day cycle) within NetSuite.
• Lead the current audit through to completion ahead of the Controller's leave start.
• Manage WSIB filings.
• Handle day-to-day accounting and financial reporting (excluding AP/AR and journal entries).
• Support mini audits requested by lenders.
• Manage inventory appraisals tied to new lender requirements.
• Support the Quebec sales tax audit.
• Identify and implement process improvements.
• Navigate reconciliation complexities tied to outsourced manufacturing and raw materials.

Skills

Cross-border accounting

Independent accounting

Entrepreneurial mindset

Tools

NetSuite

Job description

Location: Downtown Toronto, ON (Hybrid - 2-3 days in office)

Rate: $65-75/hr

Target Start Date: End of September

Industry: Food & Beverage / CPG Manufacturing

Position Type: Backfill (maternity leave coverage)

About the Opportunity

Our client is a small, entrepreneurial food and beverage manufacturer with a lean finance function consisting of the CFO, the Controller, and staff accountant. The company operates cross-border between Canada and the US, runs on NetSuite.

This 12-month contract covers a maternity leave for the current Controller. An audit is already underway, and the priority is to get it fully wrapped before her departure. Outside of the audit, the role owns month-end close (roughly a 10-day cycle, largely automated within NetSuite), WSIB filings, day-to-day accounting, and process improvements. The staff accountant handles AP/AR and journal entries, so this role picks up everything else under financial accounting and reporting.

There's also some lender-facing work: mini audits, inventory appraisals as new lenders come on board, and a Quebec sales tax audit. The ideal person is comfortable moving up and down the organization, has a strong accounting background from a small PE-backed or privately owned company, and brings an entrepreneurial, hands-on approach.

Main Duties

• Own month-end close (~10-day cycle) within NetSuite
• Lead the current audit through to completion ahead of the Controller's leave start
• Manage WSIB filings
• Handle day-to-day accounting and financial reporting (excluding AP/AR and journal entries, which sit with the Mexico-based resource)
• Support mini audits requested by lenders
• Manage inventory appraisals tied to new lender requirements
• Support the Quebec sales tax audit
• Identify and implement process improvements
• Navigate reconciliation complexities tied to outsourced manufacturing and raw materials

Required Qualifications

• Strong accounting background, ideally from a small PE-backed or privately owned company
• Comfortable owning financial accounting and reporting independently in a lean team
• Experience with NetSuite
• Cross-border (CA/US) accounting exposure
• Entrepreneurial, hands-on, and comfortable interacting across all levels of the organization

Nice to Have

• Manufacturing or CPG industry experience
• Experience with inventory appraisals or lender-facing reporting

Clarity Recruitment is an equal opportunity employer committed to fostering an inclusive and accessible recruitment process and workplace. If you require accommodation, please let us know in advance and we will work with you to meet your needs.