Controller

Our Client is seeking a Controller to join their high-performing, tight-knit, collaborative, and loyal team of professionals. This is a fantastic career opportunity for a senior level accounting & finance professional who is looking for diverse and rewarding work and who wants to dedicate their career long-term to one excellent organization.

Who- the Company:
Our client is the private holding and investment company of a well-respected Canadian business entrepreneur. The holding company has dozens of entities and operations/offices in multiple cities in North America.    

The holding company employs people who are loyal and passionate about the ongoing health and success of this highly impressive and diverse executive office. The corporate culture is supportive and friendly, with a family-feel.

What- the Role:
Our client is seeking a new Controller who will be part of a small and collaborative accounting & finance team based in Vancouver. The Controller will manage the day-to-day accounting, taxation, and finance activities for their portfolio of business entities (the largest of which have their own accounting teams).

What- the Responsibilities:
The responsibilities of this role will evolve over the years and the Controller will have the opportunity to take on new duties and challenges based on their performance and results. In the first few years, responsibilities will mostly entail the following- 

• Manage day-to-day accounting activities including the preparation of accounting working papers. 
• Prepare cashflow reports for shareholders.
• Coordinate tax filings with external tax advisors.
• Support various business divisions with accounting engagements (Audit/Review).
• Research and address technical accounting and tax issues.
• Write memos as requested, using critical thinking and business savvy.
• Manage treasury and cash management activities for numerous bank accounts.
• Develop internal accounting functions and process improvement initiatives.
• Assist with planning for business transactions including reviewing legal documents, developing models, and performing due diligence work.
• Support shareholders with treasury, cash management, budget, investments, accounting, tax filing and tax planning needs.
• Assist with tax planning work, including the preparation of tax proformas and taxable income forecasts.
• Manage investment portfolios.
• Collaborate with the accounting teams of respective operating businesses to enhance and improve upon current cash management and financial reporting processes. 
• Manage available cash resources to enhance returns for an acceptable level of risk.
• Report on cash sources and uses, investment balances, risk factors, and variance analysis.

Who- the Candidate:
The ideal candidate will be self-motivated, curious, open-minded, eager to learn, and business savvy, and will possess a high degree of initiative as well as excellent interpersonal, critical thinking, and analytical skills.  We are seeking a senior-level and well-rounded accounting, finance, and tax professional who leads by example. Qualified candidates will be eager to improve processes and optimize systems to make the accounting, finance, and tax processes more efficient while still of the highest quality. Most employees at this company have been with the organization for many years, and they aim to hire people who they can envision growing with the company over the long-term.

• At least 7 years and preferably 10+ years of related and progressive work experience.
• Post-secondary education within business, accounting, and/or finance is required.
  • CPA designation is highly preferred.
• Experience with full-cycle inter-company accounting for a complex multi-entity privately-held company is required (gained in industry and/or from public practice with private enterprise clients)
• Experience with International operations is preferred, particularly with exposure to US/Canada cross-border issues.
• Foundational tax compliance and tax planning skills, with the willingness and curiosity to learn more over the years.
• Exceptional communication skills- verbal and written.
• Excellent attention to detail and experience reviewing legal documents.
• Self-starter with great organizational and time management skills.
• Independent worker with a strong ability to work cooperatively in a team-based environment.
• Strong systems skills with proficiency in the full Microsoft Office suite, particularly Excel.
• Self-motivated, responsible, accountable, and able to work independently as well as with a small team.

How Much:
Competitive base salary commensurate with years and depth of relevant work experience, as well as education and qualifications, likely in the range of $115,000 to $145,000. The company also provides a medical & dental benefits plan, a small pension plan (after 1 year of service), professional development support (i.e. CPA courses & dues, in-depth tax courses, etc.), etc. Please discuss your total compensation expectations further with SWIM.

Where:
Headquartered in the heart of the downtown Vancouver financial district in a beautiful corporate office that is close walking distance to rapid transit.  

When & How to Apply:
Swim Recruiting is presenting shortlisted candidate profiles directly to the hiring team for review. There will be a 3-step interview process.   Please do not hesitate to apply if you are qualified, interested, and would like to discuss further! The confidentiality of currently employed candidates will be highly respected by SWIM and by our client.  If you already have a Recruiter at SWIM, please reach out to them directly. If you do not yet have a contact at Swim Recruiting, please hit 'APPLY NOW' to send us your resume. Thank you!