About RedBlue
RedBlue is a growing HVAC and mechanical services business based in Victoria, BC, with capabilities across HVAC, plumbing, electrical, and refrigeration. The business services a diverse customer base across residential, light commercial, and heavy commercial segments, with a mix of recurring service and project-based revenue. RedBlue is part of the alphi Capital portfolio, providing access to experienced operators, structured finance support, and a clear mandate to scale the business through operational excellence and disciplined growth.
Why This Role Exists
RedBlue is building a finance function that matches the size and complexity the business has reached. The Controller is part of the finance foundation, responsible for the integrity, timeliness, and rigour of the day-to-day accounting and reporting, on which everything else is built. This role is being opened following the resignation of the prior Controller, who will remain available for handover.
Position Overview
The Controller is a hands-on accounting leader reporting to the CFO. The role owns the full cycle accounting including the month-end close, preparation of external and internal financial reporting, job costing and project reporting, forecast model builds, statutory and tax compliance, and the operational accounting processes that support segmented P&Ls and project accounting across HVAC, plumbing, electrical, and refrigeration. The Controller leads the day-to-day finance team and is the principal point of accountability for accurate, timely, audit-ready financial records.
Key Responsibilities
Accounting Operations & Month-End Close
- Own the full month-end close process end-to-end, delivering accurate, on-time results to the CFO Manage all general ledger activity, journal entries, accruals, reconciliations, and intercompany entries Produce the internal and external monthly reporting package including budget versus actual variance results analysis and supporting schedules alongside the CFO
- Maintain a clean, well-documented chart of accounts aligned with segmented P&L and job costing requirements
Controls, Compliance & Audit
- Design, implement, and maintain internal controls over financial reporting, in line with the control framework established with the CFO.
- Own compliance with Canadian indirect tax obligations (GST/PST/HST), payroll remittances, and corporate tax filings in coordination with external advisors
- Assist in bank covenant compliance reporting alongside the CFO.
- Lead year-end audit engagement, including preparation of working papers and direct liaison with external accountants
- Ensure compliance with applicable accounting standards (ASPE).
Project Accounting & Job Costing
- Track actual project costs against initial quotes; build processes to flag variances early and escalate as required
- Maintain accurate WIP, revenue recognition, and project margin reporting, in conjunction with the operations team
- Own inventory accounting from raw materials through WIP to finished goods consumed on jobs, including counts
AR, AP, Payroll & Cash
- Oversee accounts receivable, accounts payable, and payroll functions; ensure timely, accurate processing and strong supporting controls.
- Manage collections discipline and AR aging in coordination with operations
- Support weekly cash management and provide reliable inputs into the cash flow forecast owned by the CFO
Financial Planning and Analysis
- Support the annual budgeting process, including the model build-out
- Support the weekly 13W rolling cash forecasting cycle, including updating weekly actuals, and build out of forecast assumptions
- Assist in providing detailed analysis on budget versus actual financial variances at the Project, Department and Consolidated financial statement levels.
Acquisition Integration
- Assist with the integration of acquired companies, including implementation of RedBlue processes and systems within the acquired entity or integrating the existing personnel, processes and systems into RedBlue financial reporting environment.
Team Leadership
- Lead, develop, and hold accountable the day-to-day finance team (AR, AP, payroll, staff accounting)
- Set clear expectations, review work, and build a culture of accuracy, ownership, and continuous improvement
- Act as the operational deputy to the CFO on the finance function
Systems & Process Improvement
- Drive process improvement and automation across the ERP, billing, payroll, project management stack, and finance controls and processes overall
- Support integration of finance processes and reporting standards following any future acquisitions
- Partner with operations to ensure transactional data captured in the field flows cleanly into the financial records
Education & Work Experience
- 8+ years of progressive accounting experience, including 2+ years in a Controller or Assistant Controller role
- CPA designation required
- Public accounting background (Big 4 or national firm) preferred
- Experience in trades, construction, field services, or other project-based businesses strongly preferred
- Demonstrated ownership of a full month-end close and external audit process
- Hands-on experience with job costing, WIP accounting, and inventory in a multi-segment operating business
- Background in private-equity-backed or multi-entity environments an asset
- Strong Excel required; ERP proficiency required (QuickBooks – Desktop and Online); experience implementing or improving ERP/job costing systems an asset
Skills & Abilities
- Detail-oriented and disciplined, particularly around month-end close timing and accuracy
- Hands-on operator who is comfortable doing the work and leading the team that does it
- Operationally curious - willing to leave the desk to understand how jobs run
- High ownership and accountability; sees gaps in process or controls and fixes them rather than waiting to be asked
- Strong communicator who can partner credibly with the CFO, the CEO, and operational leads
Pay: $150,000.00-$170,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- Casual dress
- Company events
- Extended health care
- On-site parking
- Paid time off
Work Location: In person
