Financial Controller

Reporting to VP of Finance, the Controller is a senior financial leader responsible for overseeing all accounting and financial operations, ensuring accuracy, compliance, and efficiency. This role involves managing the accounting team, maintaining robust internal controls, and providing strategic financial insights to support the organization's growth. The Controller will serve as a key liaison with external stakeholders, including auditors, banks, and insurers, and lead financial integration efforts for acquisitions.

A safe and healthy work environment is one of Symtech's primary goals and a central guiding principle for the organization. Symtech and its employees are aligned in the organization's goal of zero incidents. Symtech's most valuable asset is its employees. Symtech is dedicated to providing and maintaining a safe and healthy work environment for all its employees. Symtech's safety culture is encouraged within the organization and promoted through demonstrating and communicating the importance of safety within the community where work is performed.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

 Oversee the month-end and year-end close processes, including journal entries, accruals, and account reconciliations, ensuring accuracy and compliance with GAAP

 Prepare and review quarterly financial statements, internal management reports, bank reports, and bonding reports.

 Review general ledger transactions and ensure completeness and accuracy of financial records.

 Complete and file HST/GST returns and oversee corporate tax compliance in collaboration with tax advisors.

 Prepare and compile comprehensive month-end documentation process, with key financial schedules, reconciliations, and supporting documentation for audit and reference purposes.

 Develop and monitor financial KPIs to track organizational performance and support data-driven decision-making.

 Develop financial forecasts, and long-term financial strategies in collaboration with senior leadership to support company growth and profitability.

 Monitor and manage cash flow to ensure liquidity and optimize financial resources.

 Analyze financial trends and provide actionable insights to guide strategic decision-making.

 Maintain and monitor internal controls and accounting procedures to ensure compliance with regulatory requirements and industry standards.

 Coordinate with external auditors during annual audits, providing supporting documentation and explanations of business processes.

 Identify and mitigate financial and operational risks, including implementing fraud prevention measures and ensuring cybersecurity protocols for financial systems.

 Collaborate on compliance-related tasks for US and Canadian entities, including provincial and federal annual returns, state filings, W8, W9, and other jurisdiction-specific documentation.

 Supervise, train, and mentor the accounting team, fostering professional development and ensuring high performance.

 Lead initial interviewing, hiring, and onboarding efforts for accounting team members, providing foundational training and facilitating role-specific transitions.

 Develop succession plans to ensure continuity in critical accounting functions.

 Provide guidance and workflow management to AR and AP leads, ensuring alignment with financial processes.

 Maintain and support accounting software systems (e.g., Jonas), reporting tools and payroll programs, leading upgrades or integrations as needed.

 Lead initiatives to optimize accounting processes through automation, system enhancements, or adoption of new financial technologies.

 Provide on-demand training to staff across departments on navigating financial systems and interpreting project-related data, creating user-friendly guides and cheat sheets.

 Serve as the point of contact for banking relationships, handling day-to-day inquiries, transaction issues, and payment processing.

 Act as the primary contact for corporate insurance matters (e.g., Westland), managing annual renewals, policy documentation, and job-specific insurance inquiries.

 Manage the administrative side of bonding, including preparing documentation, submitting requests, and processing invoices.

 Serve as the primary contact for employee benefit programs (e.g., RBC disability insurance, RWAM health and dental) and group RRSP brokers, addressing payroll and employee inquiries.

 Distribute audited financial statements to external vendors or customers with CEO approval.

 Support job-related legal matters by providing financial documentation and participating in communications with legal counsel and project managers.

 Lead the financial integration of acquired entities, aligning accounting policies, consolidating financials, and ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements.

 Provide training and guidance to acquired company staff on accounting processes and software.

 Bridge communication between departments to address process gaps and operational challenges during integration.

 Assist the CEO with ad hoc personal and business-related tasks, including managing and reviewing AMEX statements and separating business/personal transactions.

 Liaise with operations, project teams, HR, IT, and procurement to ensure accurate job costing, financial process alignment, and cross-departmental collaboration.

 Support the payroll team with non-routine issues, such as correcting discrepancies and coordinating off-cycle payroll runs.

 Occasionally deliver presentations to staff or union members on accounting procedures, particularly for job costing and project workflows.

 Facilitate the setup of rental and lease agreements, acting as the main contact for landlords and ensuring proper documentation and insurance.

 The duties and responsibilities are intended to describe the general nature and scope of work being performed by this position. This is not a complete listing and other duties will be assigned based on the positions role within the business unit.

EXPERIENCE, SKILLS & KNOWLEDGE:

 Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field.

 CPA Designation.

 10+ years of progressive accounting experience, with at least 3 years in a leadership role.

 Strong knowledge of Canadian GAAP, financial reporting, and internal controls.

 Experience with accounting software (e.g., Jonas) and reporting tools; proficiency in process automation is a plus.

 Proven ability to lead and develop a team, with excellent communication and interpersonal skills.

 Strategic mindset with experience in financial analysis, budgeting, and forecasting.

 Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment and handle confidential information with discretion.

 Experience with acquisitions and financial integration is an asset.

 Strong administration and organizational skills.

 Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.

 Proficient in using a computer and Microsoft Office (Outlook, Word, Excel, etc.);

 Ability to interface with all levels of staff in a professional manner.