Job Title: Senior Controller
Department: Finance
Reports to: Chief Financial Officer
Location: Calgary, Alberta. Onsite.
Employment Type: Full-time, Permanent
Position Overview
The Senior Controller is a strategic financial leader responsible for overseeing all accounting operations while driving the organization's financial strategy and long-term objectives. Reporting directly to the Chief Financial Officer (CFO), this senior-level position provides executive leadership to the finance team and serves as a trusted advisor to senior leadership across the organization.
This role combines deep technical accounting expertise with strategic business acumen to transform financial operations, strengthen organizational infrastructure, and position the company for sustainable growth. The Senior Controller plays a critical role in shaping financial policy, driving operational excellence, and ensuring the integrity of financial reporting while partnering with executive leadership on key business decisions.
Key Responsibilities
Strategic Financial Leadership
- Partner with the CFO and executive leadership team to develop and execute financial strategy aligned with organizational goals
- Provide strategic financial insights, analysis, and recommendations to inform critical business decisions and long-term planning
- Lead the development and implementation of financial models, forecasts, and scenario planning to support strategic initiatives
- Serve as a key advisor on mergers, acquisitions, capital allocation, and other significant financial transactions
Financial Operations & Reporting
- Direct all accounting operations, including general ledger, accounts payable/receivable, payroll, treasury, and month-end/year-end close processes
- Ensure timely and accurate preparation of monthly, quarterly, and annual financial statements in accordance with ASPE, IFRS, or GAAP
- Oversee complex accounting transactions, technical accounting matters, and ensure adherence to evolving accounting standards
- Manage sophisticated cash flow modeling, working capital optimization, and treasury functions to ensure financial stability
Planning, Analysis & Performance Management
- Lead enterprise-wide budgeting, forecasting, and strategic planning processes with advanced variance analysis and KPI tracking
- Develop and maintain comprehensive financial dashboards, benchmarks, and reporting frameworks for executive decision-making
- Conduct in-depth financial analysis to identify trends, opportunities, and risks; translate insights into actionable recommendations
- Monitor organizational performance against strategic objectives and industry benchmarks
Governance, Risk & Compliance
- Design and maintain robust internal control frameworks, policies, and procedures to safeguard organizational assets
- Ensure full compliance with audit requirements, regulatory standards, and accounting principles
- Lead external audit processes and serve as primary liaison with auditors, regulators, and other external stakeholders
- Identify and mitigate financial risks while ensuring appropriate governance structures are in place
Process Improvement & Systems Leadership
- Champion the transformation of financial operations through process optimization, automation, and best practice implementation
- Lead the evaluation, selection, and implementation of financial systems, ERP platforms, and technology solutions
- Standardize and streamline accounting practices across all business units, programs, and departments
- Drive continuous improvement initiatives to enhance efficiency, accuracy, and scalability of financial operations
Team Leadership & Development
- Build, lead, and mentor a high-performing finance team, fostering a culture of excellence, accountability, and innovation
- Develop talent through coaching, professional development opportunities, and succession planning
- Establish clear performance objectives and provide ongoing feedback to drive team success
- Collaborate effectively across departments, building strong partnerships with operational leaders
What You Will Bring
Education and Experience
- Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field required; MBA or advanced degree preferred
- CPA designation (CA, CMA, or CGA) is required
- 10+ years of progressive experience in accounting and finance, with at least 5 years in a senior leadership role
- Demonstrated success leading finance teams and managing complex financial operations in a dynamic environment
- Experience with organizational growth, transformation, or change management initiatives is highly desirable
- Industry-specific experience (as relevant to your organization) is an asset
Technical Expertise
- Expert-level knowledge of IFRS and/or GAAP, with proven ability to navigate complex accounting standards and technical issues
- Deep understanding of regulatory compliance, audit processes, and internal control frameworks
- Advanced proficiency in financial management systems, ERP platforms (e.g., SAP, Oracle, NetSuite), and business intelligence tools
- Strong capabilities in financial modeling, forecasting, and advanced analytics
- Experience with system implementations and process automation initiatives
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
- Strategic Thinking: Ability to see the big picture, anticipate future needs, and align financial strategy with organizational objectives
- Leadership Excellence: Proven track record of building and inspiring high-performing teams in a complex, matrixed environment
- Business Acumen: Deep understanding of business operations with ability to translate financial data into strategic insights
- Executive Presence: Exceptional communication and presentation skills, with ability to influence and advise at the C-suite level
- Analytical Rigor: Superior analytical and problem-solving abilities with keen attention to detail and accuracy
- Relationship Building: Outstanding interpersonal skills and ability to build trust and credibility across all organizational levels
- Adaptability: Comfortable operating in ambiguous situations and managing competing priorities in a fast-paced environment
- Integrity: Unwavering ethical standards, professional judgment, and commitment to transparency and accountability
- Change Leadership: Demonstrated ability to drive organizational change and navigate complexity while maintaining operational excellence
If you envision yourself thriving in this supportive and dynamic environment, we encourage you to Apply Today!
Please Note: The internal job title for this position may differ from the title listed in this posting.
We are an equal opportunity employer and are committed to building a diverse and inclusive workplace that reflects the communities we serve across Canada. We welcome applications from all qualified individuals, including but not limited to women, members of visible minorities, Indigenous Peoples, persons with disabilities, members of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community, and others who may contribute to the diversification of our workforce.
Accommodations are available on request during all stages of the recruitment and selection process, in accordance with applicable human rights and accessibility legislation across Canada. If you require any accommodations, please let us know and we will work with you to meet your needs.