CONTROLLER, CPA – LOGISTICS AND TRANSPORTATION
Toronto, Ontario (North of 401; East of Yonge St.)
Full-time hybrid position requiring three days per week in the company’s Toronto office and two days working remotely
COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS
Base salary of $120,000 to $160,000, depending on experience, qualifications, and demonstrated ability to fulfill the requirements of the position
The compensation package also includes comprehensive employee benefits and opportunities for professional growth and advancement
THE OPPORTUNITY
A successful, privately owned transportation and supply-chain organization is seeking an accomplished CPA to join its leadership team as Controller.
The company provides transportation, freight-management, and related logistics services to customers across North America. This description is intentionally general because the search is being conducted in strict confidence.
The Controller will occupy the organization’s most senior financial position and work closely with ownership, the CEO, and other members of executive management. The successful candidate will assume responsibility for the complete accounting and finance function, including financial reporting, budgeting, forecasting, cash-flow management, payroll, commission calculations, banking requirements, internal controls, and year-end activities.
The position also includes leadership of an established accounting team and oversight of the financial requirements of multiple operating and holding companies with Canadian and cross-border activities.
This is a senior financial leadership role with a significant hands-on component. The Controller must be capable of advising ownership and executive management while also becoming directly involved in payroll, reconciliations, commission calculations, reporting, and other detailed accounting matters when required.
The company is seeking an exceptionally capable, intelligent, confident, and resourceful financial executive. The successful candidate will bring sound judgment, a strong leadership presence, and the ability to establish accountability, improve existing practices, and operate effectively within an entrepreneurial, owner-managed business.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
Serve as the senior financial advisor to ownership, the CEO, and executive management
Provide the reporting, analysis, and financial perspective required for sound operational and strategic decisions
Lead, coach, and develop the finance and accounting team
Establish clear performance expectations and promote accountability, professional development, and continuous improvement within the department
Direct the monthly and annual financial close processes
Ensure that accurate and timely financial statements are prepared for the organization and its related entities
Produce monthly management-reporting packages containing income statements, balance sheets, cash-flow information, variance analyses, and relevant financial commentary
Prepare financial information and reporting packages for banks and other financing partners
Direct the organization’s budgeting, forecasting, cash-flow, working-capital, and financial-planning activities
Interpret financial results and translate them into practical information management can use to improve performance
Oversee accounting and financial reporting for multiple operating entities and holding companies
Manage intercompany transactions, reconciliations, allocations, and related reporting requirements
Direct accounts payable, accounts receivable, general accounting, payroll, and daily financial operations
Maintain active involvement in payroll processing, payroll reconciliations, internal controls, and problem resolution
Oversee the calculation, verification, reconciliation, and documentation of commissions and other variable-compensation payments, including programs related to drivers and fleet operations
Work with human resources and senior leadership to review, develop, document, and administer compensation and commission programs
Evaluate and enhance the company’s accounting procedures, authorization practices, internal controls, and reporting standards
Identify opportunities to improve efficiency, accuracy, accountability, and the overall quality of financial information
Introduce practical innovations and lead improvements to financial systems, procedures, and management reporting
Coordinate external accounting, tax, review, and audit activities
Act as the principal financial contact for external accountants, financial institutions, and other professional advisors
Prepare year-end working papers, schedules, reconciliations, and supporting documentation
Ensure that applicable Canadian and U.S. financial, tax, payroll, and statutory reporting requirements are properly addressed
Assist executive management with financial planning, business evaluation, operational analysis, and special projects
QUALIFICATIONS
Candidates should possess:
A Canadian CPA designation
A bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, or a related discipline
Approximately 8 to 12 years of progressive accounting and financial-management experience
Previous experience as a Controller or Assistant Controller
Experience leading an accounting department and managing a team of approximately five to ten employees
Experience working in a mid-sized, privately owned company
Strong technical accounting, financial-reporting, reconciliation, and internal-control capabilities
Hands-on experience administering or overseeing payroll
Experience calculating, validating, reconciling, or administering commissions and variable-compensation programs
Experience with multi-company or multi-entity accounting
Experience supporting Canadian and U.S. operations
Experience with budgeting, forecasting, cash-flow management, banking reporting, and year-end accounting requirements
Demonstrated success improving financial processes, reporting practices, controls, systems, or departmental efficiency
Advanced Microsoft Excel capabilities
Experience working with ERP and financial-management systems
Experience in transportation, logistics, freight brokerage, fleet operations, or a related industry would be an asset.
Experience with Microsoft Dynamics GP, also known as Great Plains, is strongly preferred.
LEADERSHIP AND PROFESSIONAL ATTRIBUTES
The successful candidate will demonstrate:
A confident and credible leadership presence
The strength of personality required to work effectively with entrepreneurial owners and senior executives
Exceptional analytical ability, intellectual curiosity, and sound commercial judgment
A practical, solutions-oriented management style
A hands-on approach and the ability to move comfortably between executive-level responsibilities and detailed accounting work
Strong leadership, coaching, delegation, and staff-development abilities
The capacity to establish accountability while maintaining a productive and collaborative working environment
Excellent financial-reporting, problem-solving, and decision-making skills
The ability to explain complex financial information clearly to owners, executives, managers, and employees
The confidence to question existing practices, recommend improvements, and implement appropriate changes
A record of introducing innovation and achieving continuous process improvement
Excellent planning, organizational, and project-management skills
Superior attention to detail and accuracy
The ability to manage competing priorities and meet demanding deadlines
A high degree of integrity, professionalism, discretion, and confidentiality
The resilience and adaptability required to succeed in a growing, fast-paced, owner-managed organization
TECHNOLOGY AND SYSTEMS EXPERIENCE
The Controller must be highly proficient with accounting systems, financial-reporting applications, and business technology.
Candidates should offer:
Advanced Microsoft Excel capabilities
Strong proficiency with Microsoft Word, Outlook, and PowerPoint
Experience with ERP and financial-management platforms
Experience using technology to improve accounting processes and management reporting
The ability to assess current workflows and introduce practical system and process improvements
Experience with Microsoft Dynamics GP, also known as Great Plains, is strongly preferred.
Experience with payroll platforms, commission-reporting tools, financial dashboards, data-visualization applications, or comparable reporting technology would be an asset.
WHY CONSIDER THIS OPPORTUNITY?
This is an opportunity to assume the most senior financial position within a successful, privately owned transportation and supply-chain organization.
The Controller will work closely with ownership, the CEO, and executive management and will have meaningful influence over financial reporting, internal controls, systems, business processes, planning, and operational decision-making.
The role combines executive-level financial responsibility with the opportunity to lead an established accounting team and strengthen financial practices across multiple corporate entities and cross-border operations.
It is particularly attractive for an accomplished CPA who enjoys an entrepreneurial environment and is comfortable combining strategic financial leadership with direct involvement in payroll, commission calculations, reporting, reconciliations, and daily accounting operations.
The successful candidate will receive a competitive salary of up to $160,000, comprehensive employee benefits, a hybrid working arrangement, and the opportunity to play a central role in the organization’s continued development.
TO APPLY
Qualified candidates are invited to apply through Indeed. Indeed will forward your resume to Charles Grossner of PeopleFind Inc., who is conducting the search for this position.
Should you prefer to submit your resume directly by email, please send it in confidence to:
[email protected]
For additional information, contact Charles Grossner at:
1-866-477-0855 ext. 21
All resumes, applications, and inquiries will be handled in strict confidence.
ABOUT PEOPLEFIND INC.
Through our affiliation with NPAworldwide, PeopleFind Inc. is connected to more than 500 independent recruiting firms across North America and around the world.
Whether you are seeking your next career opportunity or searching for exceptional talent, PeopleFind provides access to an extensive network of jobs, employers, recruiting resources, and qualified candidates.
For more information, visit www.peoplefindinc.com or contact Charles Grossner, President of PeopleFind Inc., at 1-866-477-0855 ext. 21.
INDKY
