Assistant Controller

Assistant Controller / Controller Successor — Pure Life Machinery (St. Catharines, ON, on-site)

Reports To: Controller, with a dotted line to the Managing Director

Employment Type: Full-Time, Permanent — existing vacancy

Succession Objective: Ready to succeed the Controller within 12–24 months, subject to demonstrated readiness

Experience Required: 7+ years progressive accounting, incl. 3+ years in manufacturing costing; CPA

Salary Range: $110,000 – $120,000 base salary + benefits

About the Company

Pure Life Machinery Inc. (PLM) is a precision sheet-metal contract manufacturer and machine builder in St. Catharines, Ontario, fabricating complex assemblies and complete machines for food-processing, marine and industrial customers across North America. PLM is part of a privately held, multi-entity manufacturing group serving customers in North America and internationally.

Position Purpose

The Assistant Controller / Controller Successor is a hands-on finance leader who will initially strengthen day-to-day accounting, reporting, controls and operational finance while learning the full scope of the Controller role. Through a structured 12–24 month development plan, the incumbent will progressively assume leadership of the accounting function and become ready to succeed the current Controller.

The role covers PLM and its affiliated companies — a multi-entity environment with intercompany transactions, USD activity and project-based manufacturing. It suits a high-potential finance professional who can operate effectively in a small, practical organization, improve processes without losing operational responsiveness, and grow from strong execution into broader financial leadership.

Principal Accountabilities

1. Accounting Operations & Financial Close

• Own and continuously improve the monthly and year-end close for all entities, including journal entries, account reconciliations, inventory reconciliation, accruals and review of supporting schedules.
• Ensure accounts payable, accounts receivable, payroll, government remittances, banking and cash transactions are accurate, controlled and completed on time.
• Maintain the chart of accounts, accounting records and an orderly, audit-ready filing structure.
• Maintain daily cash-flow reporting and the weekly cash forecast, prepare wire payments and support short-term liquidity management.
• Provide hands-on backup across the accounting department while reducing key-person dependency through documented procedures and cross-training.

2. Job Costing, Inventory & WIP

• Own job and project costing for fabrication and machine-build jobs: WIP, labour and overhead absorption, cost-to-complete and revenue recognition on long-lead projects.
• Maintain BOM and standard-cost accuracy; manage inventory valuation and reconcile physical counts; investigate cost and margin variances.
• Work with operations and purchasing to report margin by job and flag overruns early.

3. Financial Reporting, Planning & Analysis

• Prepare timely, accurate and complete monthly financial statements and management reporting packages for each entity and on a combined basis.
• Prepare and maintain KPI reporting for management and boards, with clear commentary on operating and financial performance.
• Coordinate the annual budget and periodic forecasts with operational management; analyze variances and identify corrective actions.
• Support pricing, quoting and margin analysis with meaningful management cost reports.
• Provide decision support for capital investments, working capital, productivity initiatives and other business priorities.

4. Multi-Entity, Intercompany & Multi-Currency

• Record and reconcile intercompany sales, recharges and balances between group entities each month; prepare consolidation schedules.
• Support intercompany pricing and transfer-pricing documentation.
• Process USD and other foreign-currency transactions and perform FX revaluation.

5. Tax, Statutory & Government Programs

• Prepare and file HST, EHT, WSIB and year-end slips (T4, T5018); support corporate tax filings with the external accountants.
• Prepare documentation and reporting for SR&ED claims and government grant programs.
• Prepare annual audit / year-end working papers and coordinate information requests with the external accountants.

6. Controls, Compliance & Risk Management

• Maintain and improve documented accounting policies, procedures and internal controls — approvals, purchase-order discipline and segregation of duties.
• Identify control gaps, recommend practical improvements and verify that corrective actions are implemented and sustained.
• Ensure compliance with local, provincial and federal reporting, tax filing, payroll and audit requirements.
• Monitor debt levels, covenant compliance and lender reporting requirements.

7. Team & Systems Leadership

• Support the Controller in organizing and developing the accounting team, clarifying responsibilities, service expectations and performance standards.
• Coach team members, build bench strength and create effective cross-coverage for critical accounting processes.
• Manage or coordinate outsourced finance functions as assigned.
• Provide on-site support for Microsoft Dynamics NAV (Navision) and support PLM’s ERP transition to Fulcrum, including reporting and process improvement.
• Participate as a finance representative on the health and safety team and other cross-functional initiatives as required.

Succession & Development Expectations

The role is intentionally designed to broaden over time. Progression is based on demonstrated capability, judgment, leadership and business readiness rather than tenure alone.

• 0–6 months — learn the business and stabilize execution: reliable close and reconciliations; command of core processes; strong relationships with operations; documented priorities and control gaps.
• 6–12 months — assume broader ownership: lead monthly reporting and forecasting; improve controls and job costing; coach the team; independently resolve complex accounting and operational issues.
• 12–24 months — demonstrate Controller readiness: lead the accounting function with limited oversight; present financial results to management; manage audit, budget and compliance cycles; show sound judgment and effective people leadership.

Qualifications & Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in accounting, finance, business administration or a related discipline.
• CPA designation required (or CPA candidate in the final stages).
• 7+ years of progressively responsible accounting experience, including owning month-end close, financial statements, budgeting, audit and controls.
• 3+ years in a manufacturing environment with job/project costing, inventory and WIP accounting.
• Multi-entity accounting experience, including intercompany transactions, consolidation and foreign currency.
• Hands-on experience with payroll and HST, EHT and WSIB filings.
• Experience supervising, coaching or leading accounting staff, with demonstrated readiness for broader team leadership.
• Hands-on ERP experience — Microsoft Dynamics NAV / Business Central preferred; Fulcrum or similar manufacturing ERP an asset.
• Advanced Excel skills and the ability to translate detailed financial information into clear management insight.

Leadership Profile

• Self-starter who takes ownership, follows through and works effectively with limited supervision.
• Hands-on and willing to work in the detail, while able to identify patterns, risks and business implications.
• Strong communicator who builds credibility with operational leaders, employees, auditors and senior management.
• High standards of integrity, confidentiality, accuracy and accountability.
• Practical process improver who strengthens discipline without creating unnecessary bureaucracy.
• Curious, resilient and receptive to coaching, with the ambition and learning agility to grow into the Controller role.
• Calm under pressure, able to prioritize competing demands and comfortable making well-reasoned recommendations.

Measures of Success

• Month-end reporting is accurate, timely and supported by complete reconciliations and clear variance analysis.
• Job costing and inventory give reliable margin-by-job visibility.
• Control, audit and compliance matters are proactively managed, with fewer recurring issues and reduced key-person risk.
• Forecasting, cash-flow and KPI reporting provide useful forward-looking insight to management.
• The accounting team has clear accountability, documented processes and effective cross-coverage.
• Within 12–24 months, the incumbent can independently perform the majority of Controller responsibilities and is credibly ready for succession.

What We Offer

• Base salary of $110,000 – $120,000, depending on qualifications and experience.
• Comprehensive group health benefits: dental, extended health and vision care.
• RRSP matching program and paid time off.
• Monday to Friday schedule.
• A structured path to the Controller role, working directly with senior management.

How to Apply

Please apply through LinkedIn and answer the screening questions.

This posting is for an existing vacancy. Artificial intelligence (AI) tools may be used during this recruitment process to screen and assess applications; all hiring decisions are made by people. We will inform all applicants who are interviewed of the outcome within 45 days of their final interview.

Equal Opportunity & Accommodation

Pure Life Machinery Inc. is an equal opportunity employer committed to an inclusive workplace. We welcome applications from all qualified candidates. In accordance with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA), accommodations are available on request for candidates taking part in all aspects of the selection process.