Controller (Interim)

**This role is in office and based in Niagara-on-the-Lake.**

Empowerment Technologies is seeking an Interim Controller for the next 3-6 months that will ensure continuing growth aligned with its business goals. Reporting to the Chief Executive Officer, the Controller provides the leadership, management, and vision necessary to ensure that the organization has the proper financial and operational controls, the necessary administrative and reporting procedures, and the required information technology and systems in place to effectively grow the organization, ensure financial strength, and operating efficiency.

A key focus will be on building a strong, sustainable organization by implementing financial standards and scalable processes. In addition, the right individual will have solid business judgment, strong controllership focus, analytical strength, and the capability to drive a fast-paced organization to the right results with a focused and pragmatic approach to the business. This is an outstanding opportunity for a finance leader with operational experience and a proven track record of creative problem-solving and change management to join in a high-growth organization.

**Key Responsibilities**
- **General and Operations**_
- Direct and oversee all aspects of the financial and operational accounting functions of the organization as well as treasury and taxation
- Support the CEO and Management Team in major decision-making processes and transactions
- Lead efforts to automate processes, improve quality, and efficiency
- Provide recommendations to improve financial controls, processes, and governance of the finance team its related functions
- Establish and mention solid relationships with internal and external stakeholders
- Provide leadership, direction, and management of the team
- Risk and controls - oversee internal controls over financial reporting requirements over areas of responsibility and provide recommendations to the CEO
- **Accounting and Control**_
- Oversee the preparation of all financial reporting: management of monthly and yearly financial closings, and related reporting and analyses
- Oversee treasury and cash management, ensuring cash flow is appropriate for the organization’s operations
- Ensure timeliness, accuracy, and usefulness of financial and management reporting and timely issuance of financial statements
- Review and oversee finance procedures and tools
- Develop performance measures and monitoring systems that support the company’s strategic direction and day-to-day operations
- Ensure that adequate internal controls are in place and compliance is effective with Empowerment Technologies’ standards and applicable regulatory laws and rules
- Oversee corporate and indirect taxation, and manage relationships with tax experts
- Ensure that record keeping, and financial and tax information meets all legal and regulatory requirements
- Lead the financial audit and serve as the liaison between the Auditors, the Finance team, and the CEO
- **Team Development/Leadership**_
- Promote a culture of high performance and continuous improvement that values learning and a commitment to quality
- Promote a culture of business partnership and support
- Mentor and monitor staff performance and development goals, assign accountabilities, set objectives, establish priorities, and conduct annual performance appraisals
- **Experience and Education**_
- Bachelor’s degree in accounting or Finance and a CPA, CA designation
- Five to ten years’ minimum experience in accounting or finance, including management experience leading and accounting team
- Consumer sector experience with mass merchant retailers
- Excellent knowledge of international financial reporting standards, accounting principles and practices, financial reporting, and costing, pricing systems
- Experience optimizing ERP systems for financial reporting and analysis purposes
- Experience working with data platforms, information systems, and analytics
- Demonstrated effectiveness in leading teams
- Experience supporting a senior management team
- Experience implementing processes and controls
- **Competencies**_
- Strong analytical and hands-on problem-solving skills with a style that promotes collaboration, discussion, and innovation.
- Strong leadership and interpersonal skills, and the ability to build trust and consensus
- Ability to eloquently synthesize financial related topics broadly to the CEO, Management Team, front-line team members, and everyone in between
- Sense of urgency, self-motivated, proactive, and a disciplined doer with high energy and stamina
- Organized and structured - able to set priorities and monitor detailed progress towards set goals
- Strong belief in conducting business ethically

**Job Type**: Fixed term contract
Contract length: 6 months

**Benefits**:

- Dental care
- Extended health care
- Paid time off

**Education**:

- Bachelor's Degree (required)

**Experience**:

- Accounting: 5 years (r