Finance - Financial Controller

Job Overview:

We are seeking a Controller to manage and oversee all financial aspects of our company. The Controller will play a pivotal role in ensuring that the financial processes, accounting systems, and reporting mechanisms are streamlined and compliant. With the company’s expanding operations, including retail locations, foreign offices, and a diverse revenue mix from third-party telecom subscriptions and related accessories, this role will be crucial in enhancing financial reporting and delivering actionable insights that align with the company's strategic goals.

The ideal candidate will bring deep financial expertise, strong leadership skills, and a focus on improving data-driven decision-making. In collaboration with the CEO, the Controller will help enhance the company's ability to gain insights from financial and operational data, especially related to sales performance, customer demographics, and optimal product mix.

Key Responsibilities:

Financial Reporting & Analysis:

Oversee the preparation of monthly, quarterly, and annual financial statements in compliance with Canadian GAAP (Generally Accepted Accounting Principles).

Work closely with the CEO to ensure financial reporting is timely, accurate, and reflective of the company's financial health.

Analyze financial results, providing insight into budget and forecast variances.

Revenue and Expense Management:

Monitor and analyze commission-based revenue streams from telecom subscriptions and related accessories, ensuring accuracy in reporting.

Track expenses and operational costs, identifying areas for cost savings and efficiencies, particularly in relation to the disjointed IT infrastructure and integration challenges.

Support budgeting and forecasting, offering insights on improving revenue forecasting based on past performance, market trends, and customer behavior analysis.

Financial Controls & Compliance:

Establish and maintain strong internal controls to safeguard company assets and ensure financial integrity.

Ensure compliance with all local and international regulatory requirements, including tax compliance in both Canada and foreign offices (India, Philippines).

Oversee audits, liaising with external auditors and ensuring any issues are addressed promptly.

Data & System Integration:

Work with the IT department to help integrate financial systems with other business data platforms, improving the flow of information across different systems.

Collaborate on improving data management and reporting systems to enable more efficient analysis of customer demographics, sales channels, and product performance.

Identify areas of improvement within the company’s disjointed IT infrastructure, recommending ways to streamline and automate financial and business reporting.

Cash Flow & Treasury Management:

Oversee the company’s cash flow, ensuring that adequate liquidity is maintained to support operational needs.

Manage banking relationships and cash reserves, optimizing financial positioning for both domestic and international operations.

Monitor accounts payable/receivable and payroll payment processes and recommend improvements to optimize working capital management.

Team Leadership & Development:

Lead, mentor, and manage the finance team to ensure accurate and timely financial reporting and analysis.

Collaborate with other departments (Sales, IT, HR, etc.) to enhance overall organizational efficiency, improve cross-functional collaboration, and ensure alignment with company financial goals.

Education Requirements:

Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting, Finance, or Business Administration

(Specific degree means less, my fundamental requirement is a degree that provides a strong foundation in financial principles, accounting, and business management.)

Professional Designations:

CPA (Chartered Professional Accountant) designation (Canada) (ensures the candidate has the necessary knowledge of financial reporting, tax, and audit practices.)

Key Skills:

General

Expertise in creating and interpreting financial statements (income statement, balance sheet, cash flow statements).

Strong understanding of financial forecasting, budgeting, and variance analysis.

Revenue Recognition & Cost Accounting

Understanding the nuances of commission-based revenue, particularly in telecom and , and the proper recognition of these revenues.

Software and IT Integration Knowledge

Experience with Microsoft Dynamics systems

Strong Microsoft Office Skills (excel)

Ability to oversee integration projects of disparate software systems Familiarity with data migration and automation tools to streamline financial systems across different platforms would be crucial.

Taxation Knowledge

A strong understanding of Canadian tax laws, including GST/HST, corporate taxes, and international tax implications (given the company’s foreign offices).

Experience with transfer pricing and managing cross-border taxation in a multi-national context (more of a general knowledge vs detailed)

Internal Controls

Ability to establish, maintain, and monitor internal controls and audit procedures to safeguard the company’s financial assets.

Foreign Currency & International Finance

(Planning for the future of international business – not crucial right now)

Knowledge of foreign currency transactions and accounting for international offices, particularly those in India and the Philippines.

Familiarity with multi-currency accounting and the management of exchange rate fluctuations. (minor now, but may have more impact later – a nice to have)

Leadership and Management Skills

Strong leadership and communication skills to manage a team, collaborate with department heads (Sales, IT, HR), and work closely with the owners.

Ability to work in a hands-on environment, with direct communication with the owners and key management teams.

Business Acumen & Strategic Thinking

Strong ability to assess financial data and help guide strategic decisions related to expansion, product offerings, and cost optimization.

Understanding of telecom industry trends, retail operations, and accessory sales as they relate to the company’s financial strategy

Problem-Solving & Project Management

Proficiency in identifying and resolving financial challenges, such as discrepancies between systems, integration problems, and reporting inconsistencies.

Experience with project management to handle financial system updates and process improvements.

Experience Requirements

Relevant Work Experience:

At least 5-7 years of experience in accounting or finance, with a significant portion of that in a controller role or a senior financial management position.

Experience with commission-based revenue systems and familiarity with industries like telecom or retail (preferred but not essential)

Experience in Managing IT Systems:

Previous experience in a disjointed IT environment and overseeing or advising on IT systems integration and automation tools related to efficiently processing or reporting financial data.

Ability to collaborate with IT teams to ensure that financial software platforms work together efficiently.

Experience in Multi-location or International Operations (thinking of the future)

Knowledge of managing finance for a company with multiple locations and foreign offices, and understanding the complexities that come with this setup.

Soft Skills

Attention to Detail: The Controller must ensure the accuracy of all financial records, identifying errors and inefficiencies.

Problem-Solving: With disjointed IT systems and various revenue streams, the ability to come up with practical solutions is essential.

Adaptability and Communication: WDNA has entrepreneurial management, so the Controller must be able to quickly adapt to changes and effectively communicate complex financial concepts to non-financial stakeholders (e.g., the owners).

Salary - $125-135k per annum