Accounting & Finance

Controller

Vaco

Cambridge · Region Of Waterloo · Canada

Our client is a growing, privately held organization operating within a project-based environment. They are looking for a Controller to lead the accounting function, oversee project financial performance, and partner closely with senior leadership and operations.


This is a hands-on leadership opportunity for someone who enjoys combining traditional controllership responsibilities with project accounting, budgeting, forecasting, and commercial decision support.


Why Work Here?



  • Highly visible role working directly with senior leadership and operational stakeholders.

  • Opportunity to own and enhance the accounting and financial reporting function within a growing business.

  • Entrepreneurial and collaborative culture that values teamwork, accountability, and initiative.

  • Hybrid working environment with three days per week in the office.

  • Competitive compensation package including annual bonus, pension matching, and comprehensive benefits.

  • Opportunity to lead and develop an accounting team while remaining hands-on with the business.

  • Exposure to an ERP system implementation and finance process improvements.


About the Opportunity


Budgeting & Forecasting



  • Build and manage detailed project budgets from the initial bid stage through project completion.

  • Maintain project forecasts including committed costs, incurred costs, cost to complete, and estimated final costs.

  • Own the annual operating budget and rolling forecast process.

  • Prepare budget-to-actual, WIP, and project profitability reporting for senior leadership and project stakeholders.

  • Analyze historical project costs to improve future budgeting and forecasting accuracy.

  • Oversee the month-end and year-end close processes, including project accruals, cost of sales, revenue recognition, and account reconciliations.

  • Prepare accurate and timely monthly financial statements and management reporting.

  • Provide meaningful margin, variance, trend, and profitability analysis to explain financial performance.

  • Ensure the integrity and accuracy of underlying financial information.


Project Accounting & Cost Control



  • Monitor project costs and investigate significant variances against budgets and forecasts.

  • Partner with Operations and Project Managers to identify cost drivers and recommend corrective actions.

  • Manage WIP reporting, job costing, project accruals, and profitability analysis.

  • Support project pricing, change orders, and budget revisions.

  • Provide financial analysis to support project bids and management decision-making.


Cash Flow & Working Capital



  • Manage cash flow forecasting across long-cycle projects.

  • Oversee billing cycles, accounts receivable collections, and accounts payable timing.

  • Monitor working capital and project cash positions.

  • Support effective cash management and financial planning.


Controls, Compliance & Audit



  • Maintain and strengthen internal controls, accounting policies, and finance procedures.

  • Lead the year-end audit or review process and serve as a primary contact for external accountants.

  • Oversee applicable statutory, tax, and regulatory reporting with support from external advisors.

  • Help improve financial systems, processes, controls, and data integrity.

  • Support the organization's transition to a new ERP environment.


Leadership & Business Partnership



  • Lead, coach, and develop a team of accounting professionals.

  • Establish priorities and ensure financial deliverables are accurate, timely, and complete.

  • Remain hands‑on and work alongside the accounting team when required.

  • Partner directly with senior leadership, Operations, and Project Managers to improve financial performance.

  • Translate financial information into actionable insights that support better business decisions.

  • Provide financial support for commercial opportunities and strategic initiatives.


About You



  • 7+ years of progressive accounting and finance experience.

  • Experience at the Controller, Assistant Controller, Accounting Manager, or similar level.

  • Demonstrated experience leading and developing accounting staff.

  • Strong full‑cycle accounting background, including month‑end and year‑end close, financial statement preparation, and audit support.

  • Experience within a project‑based industry such as construction, engineering, professional services, consulting, transportation, logistics, mining, or a similar environment.

  • Strong project accounting, job costing, budgeting, and forecasting experience.

  • Experience with WIP reporting, cost‑to‑complete calculations, project profitability, and variance analysis is strongly preferred.

  • Strong analytical skills with the ability to transform financial information into useful business insights.

  • Advanced Excel skills and experience working with accounting or ERP systems.

  • Microsoft Dynamics / Business Central experience is considered a strong asset.

  • Comfortable operating in a hands‑on, entrepreneurial, and fast‑paced environment.

  • Collaborative leadership style with the ability to work effectively across finance and operational teams.


Salary Range


When referencing this job, quote #


You must currently reside within Canada and be permitted to work in Canada to be considered for this opportunity.

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Reference: WJ-4703_9493879

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