Controller

OverviewSenior accounting and finance leadership role with a well established and growing retail company. Leading and mentoring a team of ~5 people. Managing the full accounting and finance function, including reporting, corporate accounting, financial systems ERP, AP and AR, retail accounting, payroll processing, etc. Full time permanent role based in Surrey.Who the CompanyOur client is a well established and reputable midsize company in import export distribution and retail ecommerce. The company has built up over the decades with an entrepreneurial spirit. Employees tend to have very long tenures at this company because they have a tight knit team and the leaders enable staff to take initiative and develop new skills.What the RoleOn behalf of our client Swim Recruiting is seeking a new Controller who will report directly into the President and will also train under the Group CFO who has been with the company for many years. The Controller will mentor, manage, train, motivate, and lead an accounting and finance team of 4 to 5 people. The Controller’s team is responsible for corporate accounting, inventory and logistics accounting, accounts payable, and accounts receivable. We are looking for a Controller who is hands on and who will be very well versed in the day to day on their accounting team, and who is also strategic and a big picture thinker who can plan for the Company’s future.Responsibilities in this role are diverse and well rounded, and will include: review of monthly statements, corporate reporting, payment approvals, manage cost controls, risk mitigation, ad hoc analysis, preparation of reports for management including routine and ad hoc, annual audit working papers, taxation, bank reporting, cashflow management, annual budgeting, etc.The Controller will also be responsible for coordinating and communicating between key departments namely Sales, Procurement and Logistics, including collaborating on the creation and monitoring of business KPIs.The Controller will be responsible for overseeing financial systems including improving developing and rolling out processes as well as maintaining the right balance between cost control and encouraging sales growth. The Controller will troubleshoot system issues and put in place system process improvements, working with third parties as needed. The Controller will use various systems and tools such as a sophisticated ERP and Power BI and Excel.This role involves daily communication and interaction with the operations and sales teams, including providing these teams with financial analysis business decision support and financial reports. A business minded approach and a confident communication style are crucial in this role. We are looking for a Controller who thrives on inter department collaboration and who wants to make a direct impact on the long term success of an entrepreneurial Canadian company.Who the CandidateWe are looking for a well rounded senior level accounting professional with sound business vision strong interpersonal and leadership skills and excellent verbal and written communication abilities. We are seeking a new Controller who can effectively oversee the day to day historical accounting and also contribute to the forward looking big picture strategy of the company through financial planning and analysis and business decision support.The Controller will build relationships across all departments including the Sales and Operations teams to communicate and reinforce the Company’s vision and business objectives. We are looking for a self starter who sees where they can add value and is eager to jump in. Great candidates for this role will be solutions oriented and will come to the leadership team with ideas for process improvements and automation. As an integral part of the management team the Controller will offer counsel and wise judgement on Company strategy and business decision making particularly regarding inventory management cash management and capital expenditures.5+ years’ progressive experience in accounting and finance roles.CPA accounting designation is highly preferred. Additional qualifications such as MBA or CFA are very beneficial.SystemsProficiency in Excel and PowerBI are essential in this role.System savvy and experience with a sophisticated ERP is required for example SAP Business One Oracle NetSuite JD Edwards EnterpriseOne etc.Able to optimize the accounting and finance’s team ongoing use of tools and technologies.Exposure to the complexities and high change nature of the wholesale import and distribution sector preferred.Excellent communication skills- ability to interact and effectively communicate internally with people in sales and operations as well as externally with key business partners.Business minded we are seeking people who are eager to work with a successful and entrepreneurial family owned company. The ideal Controller will be someone who can jump in and understand the business and operations at a deep level and with a long term perspective.Natural leadership, coaching and team mentorship abilities. The Controller will have relevant experience leading a team of 2 or more direct reports.WhyIf you are a self starter who takes initiative and enjoys learning the operations of a complex business while providing excellent financial reporting and full cycle accounting, then this could be a great job for youWhereSurrey. Good commute for folks living in Surrey Langley Cloverdale Delta New Westminster East Burnaby Coquitlam etc. Free employee parking available. Working full time in office is the best way to quickly learn the complex operations at this business. We are looking for a Controller who will have leadership presence in the corporate office and who can mentor and develop their direct reports in person and build cross department relationships with other leaders in person.How MuchBase salary for this role depends on years of experience relevance of technical skills direct exposure to complex relevant sectors i e wholesale import export distribution B2B retail B2B ecommerce and level of qualifications and education likely in the range of $100,000 to $120,000. Plus a discretionary bonus 3 weeks’ paid vacation professional development support etc.When and How to ApplySwim Recruiting will be presenting the profiles of short listed candidates directly to the hiring team for review. If you already have a Recruiter at SWIM please reach out very soon. If you do not yet have a contact at Swim Recruiting please hit APPLY to send us your resume preferably in MS Word format as it works best with our internal systems. Thank you #J-18808-Ljbffr