Corporate Controller

Established in 1988, the Imani Group is a group of family-owned-and-operated companies primarily focused on the development and construction sectors within British Columbia. It consists of multiple operating and holding companies, employs over 250 staff, and boasts a fantastic reputation across the markets within which it operates.

Villa Roofing is British Columbia’s industry leader for Roofing and Waterproofing systems for medium to large-scale Multi Family Residential, Commercial, Industrial, and institutional projects. It builds long lasting relationships with its customers by exceeding their expectations on safety, service, quality, and value-added building envelope solutions.

Signia has been a competitive player in British Columbia’s construction market since 1990 and has successfully executed projects in various sectors of the industry including residential, commercial, and institutional. Signia has experience and expertise in Construction Management, Design-Build, and Stipulated Sum contract delivery methods.

Located in Langley, BC, Summit Cladding Systems is an industry leader in Architectural Facades and Cladding Systems for medium to large-scale Multi-Family Residential, Commercial, Industrial, and Institutional Projects. It builds lasting relationships with its clients by exceeding their expectation on safety, service, quality, and by providing value-added solutions to their building envelope projects. 

Imani Development

With more than thirty years of construction and development experience in Vancouver, Imani Development’s team has been involved in some of the most iconic buildings in the Lower Mainland – big, complex, city-defining projects. Today, it is applying that understanding to new collections of homes across Metro Vancouver – design-focused homes built for the people who will invest in and live in the city for the long term. Imani Development stands for the future of its city a future founded on value to the homeowner, smart design, and richer neighbourhoods.

For more information regarding the Imani Group’s operating companies, please visit the following sites: 

Reporting to the Board of Directors and top management, the Corporate Controller (Controller) will be responsible for the oversight of all day-to-day accounting, taxation, finance, and reporting activities. Providing senior level leadership, consultation, and advice related to all financial aspects of the organization, they will supervise a team that includes 5 accounting staff members and have functional responsibility over accounting, accounts payable, accounts receivable, payroll, general ledger, employee benefits, and pension programs.

Directly overseeing a budget in excess of $100m for the group of companies, the Controller will work closely with external accountants regarding the preparation of year-end financial statements and corporate income tax return for the various operating and holding companies, limited partnerships, and trusts.

In addition, the Controller will work closely with the accounting team and top management across the organization regarding the project profitability of over 100 ongoing projects handled by the various operating companies.

Specific Responsibilities

Finance and Accounting Leadership

• Oversees all accounts, ledgers, and reporting systems, ensuring compliance with appropriate accounting standards and regulatory requirements.
• Maintains internal controls and safeguards for receipt of revenue, costs, program budgets, and actual expenditures.
• Oversees related accounting and reporting systems to ensure adequate controls, and the production of accurate and timely information that adheres to governing acts and regulations.
• Coordinates all monthly, quarterly, and annual regulatory reporting.
• Consistently analyzes financial data and presents financial reports in an accurate and timely manner; clearly communicate monthly, quarterly, and annual financial statements; monitors progress and changes and keeps senior leadership abreast of the corporate financial status.
• Manages and monitors organizational cash flow by working in partnership with the accounting team and top management.
• Manages and tracks the performance of invested assets in a fleet of over 60 vehicles.
• Coordinates, records, and safeguards investments and maintains fixed asset records.
• Monitors closing processes, billings, invoicing, expenses, reimbursements, and payroll administration.
• Provides consultation, advice, and direction related to the cost-effective handling of the financial aspects of the organization.
• Analyzes and interprets trends and presents findings and recommendations to top management and/or the board for approval.
• Maintains knowledge and awareness of accounting principles and practices and legislative changes that could impact the Imani Group’s financial position.

Taxation

• In close collaboration with external accountants, oversees corporate income tax reporting for 32 operating, holding, limited, and general partnership and bare trust companies.
• Prepares the annual corporate income tax return for 6 companies.
• Leverages the strengths of the current accounting team members, helps to clarify roles and responsibilities, and develops and implements training programs to maximize and reach optimal individual and organizational goals.
• Provides leadership in strengthening internal communications with staff at all levels throughout the organization; creates and promotes a positive and supportive work environment.
• Fosters and promotes a spirit of inquiry, innovation, and high level of quality service delivery. Facilitates commitment to corporate and functional area goals and objectives.
• Plans, recruits, and manages accounting staff. Promotes and provides for co-operative working relationships. 

Reporting Relationships

Reports to:

• Board of Directors

Relates to:

• Vice President, Operations – Summit Cladding Systems
• President – Imani Development
• External accountants

Direct Reports:

• Accountants x 5
• Payroll/Benefits Administrator

Candidate Requirements

General

The ideal candidate is a senior accounting/finance professional possessing many years of progressive accounting, taxation, and finance experience, ideally gained within the construction and/or development sector at a senior management level. Holding a recognized professional accounting designation and boasting experience with construction project accounting, the successful candidate will demonstrate the ability to communicate complicated financial concepts and information to internal and external partners. Known for their unwavering integrity and commitment, the individual will possess outstanding leadership, team building, relationship, and communication skills, and be known for their good judgement and ability to take on difficult tasks and deliver results.

Education

• Post secondary education in accounting or financial management obtained through a Bachelor’s degree in Commerce and/or a Master’s degree in Business Administration.
• Completion of a recognized professional accounting designation i.e. a CPA.

Specific Requirements

• Multiple years of progressive accounting, taxation, and finance experience, ideally gained within the construction and/or development sector at a senior management level.
• Possesses experience with construction project accounting including but not limited to budget creation, cost code management, change management, and forecasting/P&L reporting.
• A public practice accounting background will be considered an asset.
• Experience gained within a complex, associated, and related group of companies possessing multiple programs will be considered an asset.
• Knowledge of the principles, theories, concepts and measures of quality and cost control/management.
• Ability to coordinate the preparation of annual financial statements and corporate income tax return for 32 operating, holding, development, and trust companies in close collaboration with external accountants.
• Experience gathering, evaluating, presenting, and reporting financial information to executive teams and external stakeholders.
• Possesses hands-on experience working with accounting software [Sage 50, 100, & 300] and Profile tax software. Understands their application to a diverse group of companies.
• Possesses an in-depth knowledge of Canadian payroll and labour standards applicable to the construction industry.
• Extensive knowledge of Canadian tax laws related to corporate and individual taxes, and a desire to address complex tax concepts with individuals at all levels including top management and corporate directors, will be considered an asset.
• Takes initiative in understanding the needs of others (internal and external customers) and takes action to achieve positive results.
• Handles a wide range of responsibilities that demand significantly different skills or knowledge.
• Ability to thrive in a stressful and challenging environment with tight deadlines, multiple stakeholders, constant uncertainties, and competing/conflicting priorities.
• Ability to manage and supervise the accounting team in the areas of accounts payable and receivable, general ledger, payroll, and regulatory reporting related to construction and development companies.
• Committed to recruiting, mentoring, training, and retaining accounting staff. Able to delegate accordingly.
• Demonstrated leadership skills to create a climate for peak performance where employees will contribute to their maximum potential.
• Can evaluate complex organizational and accounting issues.
• Has the desire and initiative to take on challenges and deliver results.
• Continually seeks process efficiencies. Is comfortable with change and leading people through change.
• Keen attention to detail and sound professional judgment. Able to gauge the significance of issues relative to the big picture; able to make decisions, and able to know when to involve others (including senior management) in the decision-making process.
• Superior interpersonal, communication, and presentation skills.
• Possesses excellent listening skills and is seen as approachable, flexible, and accessible.
• Excels in promoting a positive and friendly work environment. Able to encourage and support diversity in the workforce.
• A natural ability to lead, motivate, and inspire team members – can help a broad range of professionals learn and develop their skills further.

Personal Characteristics

• Possesses the integrity, presence, and ability to build credibility within the entire organization.
• Exercises good judgment and deals with issues in a balanced and fair manner.
• Positive, enthusiastic, and committed to the growth of the organization.
• Loyal.
• Results-oriented.
• Highly relational. Able to develop healthy, positive professional relationships quickly and effectively.
• Patient but persistent. Not easily frustrated.