This is not a simple replacement hire. It's an opportunity to redefine what the finance function looks like over the next decade.We're seeking an exceptional finance skilled who pairs strong technical accounting skills with a genuine passion for improving how a business runs.While the title is Corporate Controller, this is not a traditional controllership role. We need someone who will lead the accounting function while actively transforming how finance supports the wider business — combining technical excellence with continuous improvement, operational rigor, and strategic partnership with leadership.This is a hands-on accounting leadership role.The successful candidate will personally complete accounting work while also driving the ongoing development of the finance function. This is not a role for someone who wants to manage a department from a distance.Candidates who are energized by improving organizations, leveraging technology, challenging the status quo, and helping executive leadership make better decisions will find this a rare opportunity to leave a lasting mark on a growing, privately owned manufacturing business.About The CompanyOur client is a privately owned manufacturer of highly customized bulk material handling equipment, serving customers across North America and internationally.Unlike repetitive manufacturing environments, every project is engineered specifically for the customer. That makes accurate job costing, inventory management, work-in-process reporting, and timely financial information essential to the business's success.The company is investing in its leadership team, sharpening operational excellence, and strengthening its business systems. Finance is expected to evolve into a proactive partner supporting strategic decision-making across the organization.Why This Role ExistsHistorically, finance has successfully maintained the company's financial records and reporting obligations. The next phase of growth requires considerably more.We're looking for someone who will build the finance function the business needs for the next decade — someone who will:Shorten the monthly close processIncrease utilization of the company's ERP systemImprove manufacturing and project costingReduce manual processesBuild a finance function that scales with the businessThe OpportunityThis is a genuine working Controller position. The successful candidate is expected to personally complete accounting work on a regular basis while leading the function — someone who enjoys staying close to the numbers, supporting the team when needed,



and leading by example.Responsibilities IncludePersonally performing and overseeing month-end closePreparing and reviewing journal entriesCompleting account reconciliationsManaging indirect tax filings (e.G., GST/HST)Fixed asset accountingTreasury and cash managementOverseeing Accounts Payable and Accounts ReceivableSupporting the accounting team wherever neededAs the company grows, additional accounting resources may be added. Until then, the Controller must be comfortable rolling up their sleeves and pitching in wherever necessary.Producing timely, accurate monthly financial statementsMaintaining strong internal controlsManaging banking relationshipsCoordinating year-end activities with external accountantsSupporting budgeting and forecastingDeveloping meaningful financial reporting for managementFinance Transformation & Business SystemsImproving finance workflowsIncreasing automationImproving reportingDocumenting proceduresBuilding scalable systems for future growthThe expectation is continuous improvement - not maintenance.Manufacturing FinancePartner Closely With Operations And Engineering To ImproveJob costingInventory reportingWork-in-process reportingLabour costingGross margin reportingProject profitabilityManufacturing KPIsThe ideal candidate enjoys understanding how the business operates, not just reporting results after the fact — comfortable spending time on the shop floor, understanding how projects move through the business, and translating operational performance into financial insight.Working Closely With The President, External Accountants, Tax Advisors, And Banking Partners, The Controller Will Proactively Identify Opportunities To Strengthen The Company's Financial PositionMonitoring cash flow and retained earningsIdentifying opportunities to better deploy capitalSupporting equipment and technology investment decisionsPreparing financial analysis for strategic initiativesWorking proactively with external accountants on tax planning opportunitiesWorking with banking partners on financing strategiesHelping determine the most effective use of retained earningsBringing forward recommendations proactively, rather than only reporting historical resultsThe role isn't meant to replace external tax advisors — it's meant to spot opportunities, initiate conversations, coordinate with advisors, and help ensure leadership is making informed decisions year-round.Business ContinuityA key objective of this role is reducing dependency on any one person's knowledge.



The successful candidate will:Document finance processesDevelop standard operating proceduresCross-train team membersImprove knowledge transferBuild a finance function that is resilient and scalableIdeal CandidateEducationBachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, Commerce, or Business from an accredited universityExperience8-15 years of progressive accounting and finance experienceMinimum five years in a manufacturing environmentStrong experience with inventory, work-in-process, and job costingDemonstrated experience improving ERP systems and finance processesExperience preparing executive-level financial reportingExperience acting as a trusted financial advisor to a President, CEO, or business owner — providing insight and recommendations, not just historical reportingStrong Preference For Experience InCustom equipment manufacturingEngineered productsProject-based manufacturingExperience with mid-market ERP systems (e.G., Sage 300) is a strong plus.Personal CharacteristicsWe're looking for someone naturally curious, commercially minded, and driven to improve businesses — someone who asks "why?" before accepting the status quo and constantly looks for ways to improve efficiency, reporting, and decision-making.Equally comfortable preparing journal entries, discussing manufacturing costing with Operations, meeting with external accountants and tax advisors, working with banking partners, or advising the President on strategic financial decisions.Above all, they enjoy building better businesses — not simply maintaining an accounting function.Measures of SuccessWithin the first 18-24 months, the successful candidate will have:Reduced the monthly close timelineImproved the quality and usefulness of management reportingSignificantly increased ERP system utilizationImproved job costing and manufacturing reportingReduced manual finance processesDeveloped meaningful executive dashboards and KPIsEstablished proactive capital planning discussions throughout the yearImproved collaboration with external accountants, tax advisors, and banking partnersReduced dependency on individual knowledgeBuilt a finance function capable of supporting the company's next stage of growthSearch PhilosophyWe're not looking for the most impressive résumé. We're looking for an exceptional Controller who enjoys accounting, enjoys improving businesses, and wants to become a trusted financial advisor to the President.Someone equally comfortable completing accounting work, improving financial systems, partnering with Operations, working with external advisors, and helping shape the financial future of the business.We're not looking for someone to keep score. We're looking for someone who will help us improve it. #J-18808-Ljbffr

📌 Corporate Controller (Oshawa)
🏢 MRL Consulting Group | Global Niche Technology Recruitment
📍 Oshawa