What a controller does
A controller leads the accounting function and is responsible for the accuracy and timeliness of financial reporting. The role typically includes overseeing month-end and year-end close, managing the accounting team, designing and maintaining internal controls, leading the audit or review engagement, managing cash flow and banking relationships, overseeing tax compliance and preparing reports for ownership or the board. In many mid-sized companies, the controller is the senior finance person and works directly with the owner or president.
A controller has a direct effect on the trust that leadership, lenders and auditors place in your numbers. The right one tightens the close, strengthens controls and gives owners clear, timely information. The wrong one can let errors or weak controls go unnoticed. Finch screens for leadership experience, technical depth under ASPE or IFRS, system implementation experience and integrity, and we confirm CPA status with CPA Ontario. References from owners, CFOs and auditors help complete the picture.
Typical responsibilities
- Lead month-end and year-end close and financial reporting
- Manage and develop the accounting team
- Design, document and maintain internal controls
- Coordinate the annual audit or review engagement with external accountants
- Manage cash flow, banking relationships and lender reporting
- Oversee HST, payroll and corporate tax compliance
Qualifications and credentials
- The CPA designation through CPA Ontario
- Previous experience as a controller, assistant controller or senior accounting manager
- Strong knowledge of ASPE or IFRS, depending on the organization
- Experience leading an accounting team
- ERP experience, ideally including a system implementation or upgrade
- Experience preparing reporting for owners, boards or lenders
Who hires a controller
- Owner-managed and family businesses
- Manufacturers, distributors and construction firms
- Real estate and property development companies
- Non-profit organizations and charities
- Subsidiaries of larger national or international companies
Where we recruit controller candidates
We fill controller roles for employers across Toronto and the GTA, including North York, Scarborough, Etobicoke, Vaughan, Markham, Richmond Hill, Mississauga, Brampton, Oakville, Burlington, Oshawa and Pickering, and for employers across Canada. GTA employers can meet us at our North York office by appointment.
What Finch checks before you meet a candidate
- CPA designation confirmed with CPA Ontario
- Scope of past responsibility, including team size, entities and reporting framework
- Experience with audits, internal controls and lender reporting
- Leadership style and how the candidate develops staff
- Detailed references from owners, CFOs or external auditors
Interview questions to ask
- Describe how you shortened or improved a month-end close.
- Tell me about a control weakness you found. How did you fix it?
- How do you present financial results to an owner who is not an accountant?