7909 51 Ave NW, Edmonton, AB T6E 5L9, Canada

Job Description
Posted Tuesday, August 18, 2026 at 8:00 AM | Expires Tuesday, September 8, 2026 at 7:59 AM

Some Controllers close the books. Others build financial operations that help an entire company perform better. If you're energized by creating structure, strengthening controls, developing people and giving leadership real financial clarity, not just historical results, this role will feel different.

At ISL, Finance & Operations is more than a support function. We help enable the delivery of infrastructure projects that shape communities across Western Canada.

We're looking for a Controller who thrives in a growing organization, enjoys improving how finance works and believes strong financial processes should make life easier for the business, not more complicated. You'll own the integrity of our financial reporting, lead a talented accounting team and partner closely with our CFO and senior managers to help the business make confident decisions.

A Little About Us
ISL is comprised of approximately 600 employees including award-winning engineers, technologists, planners, landscape architects, scientists, and profesionals that work together to deliver infrastructure projects that minimize environmental impacts and maximize benefits to the community. Learn more about our work by visiting us on Instagram @islengineering / LinkedIn and feel free to join our ISL newsletter on LinkedIn: Inside ISL .

We have extensive expertise – We have a variety of expertise and are comprised of five sectors specializing in Transportation, Municipal and Community, Bridges, Building and Structures and Land and Environment. Learn more about our areas of practice .

We are award winning and recognized in industry – Visit our #ISLLife blog and learn

ISL’s Finance & Operations Team is passionate about what they do. Key to our team’s success is the working environment that we create, which is:

Supportive - everyone on the team is ready to jump in and lend a helping hand wherever they can; someone will always have your back!

Encouraging and enthusiastic – we love what we do and are part of the larger ISL team who help to deliver infrastructure projects across Western Canada

Continuous Improvement Focused - we have a culture of mentorship and leverage hands on and formal training opportunities, as well as the ability to learn from errors

About the Role
As Controller, you'll lead ISL's financial accounting function while supporting a growing organization of approximately 600 employees. Working closely with the CFO and senior managers, you'll make sure financial information is accurate, timely and meaningful while improving the processes, controls and reporting behind it.

What You'll Own:
Financial Reporting and Close

Leading the month-end and year-end close, including timelines and workload across the finance team

Preparing monthly financial statements and management reporting for the CFO

Analyzing revenue, profitability and net income performance, and explaining variances to leadership

Overseeing the annual external audit and coordinating audit deliverables

Planning and Analysis

Partnering with the CFO on short and long-term financial and business planning, including tax planning and capital asset strategy

Partnering with the Project Delivery Office and sector leadership on project financial performance, including work in progress,



unbilled revenue and aging, and the governance around project write-downs and write-offs

Owning the annual budget and rolling forecast process, monitoring variances and presenting recommendations to senior leadership

Reviewing indirect labour, fringe benefits and overhead forecasts

Identifying financial risks and opportunities, and recommending action

Turning financial and project data into insight the business can act on, including dashboards and reporting that equip leaders to make informed decisions

Controls, Compliance and Cash

Owning the general ledger — its structure, account design and mapping across projects, time codes and financial statements

Maintaining strong internal controls and ensuring compliance with accounting standards

Developing and monitoring controls over project coding, timesheets, overtime and payroll accuracy and data integrity

Managing cash flow, working capital and balance sheet reconciliations, and implementing strategies to optimize cash and mitigate financial loss

Overseeing accounts payable and accounts receivable, including vendor payments, collections and working capital cycles

Overseeing tax accruals, GST remittance timing and payroll-related tax compliance

Reviewing employee expense claims and overhead invoices

Systems and Process Improvement

Leading financial system testing and ERP enhancements, including timesheet and coding structure redesign

Evaluating automation and data upload opportunities across accounting workflows

Exploring how AI and emerging technology can improve efficiency and reporting

Leading continuous improvement initiatives across Finance & Operations

Leading, coaching and developing our accounting team: Senior Accountant, Junior Accountant, Accounts Payable and Payroll

Assigning work, setting clear expectations and reviewing team output

Building cross-training and continuity planning into how the team operates

There's more, but these are the responsibilities that will define your day-to-day impact.

Ready to throw your name in?
Who will thrive in this role
You’ll do well here if you:

See the story behind the numbers

Financial statements aren't just reports to you. You look for trends, risks and opportunities before others notice them, and you use data to answer the questions the business is actually asking.

Lead with both accountability and support

You enjoy coaching people, setting clear expectations and creating an environment where your team can succeed.

Balance accuracy with practicality

Strong controls matter, but you know they have to work in the real world for operational teams.

Build better systems

Streamlining workflows, improving reporting, leveraging AI, building dashboards — you're always looking for a better way to work.

Take ownership naturally

When something doesn’t look right, you investigate. You don't wait for someone else to notice.

Stay calm in complexity

Multiple deadlines, competing priorities, audits, acquisitions, organizational growth.



You bring order without losing perspective.

Think like a business partner

You work alongside leaders across the organization, helping them understand financial performance and supporting sound business decisions.

This is a role for someone who wants to influence how Finance operates, not simply maintain it.

Your application should demonstrate the following:

Bachelor's degree in accounting, finance or a related field

8+ years of Controller level experience, including leadership responsibilities

Strong knowledge of Canadian accounting standards and financial reporting

Experience leading month-end close, financial statement preparation and external audits

Proven experience developing and mentoring accounting staff

Strong understanding of payroll, general ledger management, reconciliations and internal controls

Experience improving financial processes within a growing organization

Strong analytical and critical thinking skills, with a track record of working with large volumes of financial and operational data and translating results into recommendations senior leaders can act on

Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with a high degree of confidentiality, professionalism and integrity

Advanced Microsoft Excel skills

Experience with ERP systems (BST or similar experience is considered a strong asset) including transitions and data migration

Assets would include:

Experience within engineering, consulting, construction or other qualified services organizations

Experience building dashboards and financial reporting using Power BI or similar tools

Familiarity with AI tools that improve accounting workflows, reporting or process automation

Experience supporting organizations through growth and operational change

Experience with Dayforce

What ISL Offers
We value you for your contributions and want to ensure that your personal success is intertwined with your professional success. Our wellness philosophy encompasses the four pillars of physical, mental, financial and spiritual wellbeing which is why our advantages package is comprehensive and offers you some of the best available tools to maximize your career and lifestyle.

Here are some of the amazing benefits we provide:

Hybrid model of work

Employer paid benefits including health, dental and extensive paramedical services

Healthcare Spending and Lifestyle Option Accounts

Group RRSP

Parental leave top ups

Paid professional development opportunities and memberships

24/7/365 Employee Family Assistance program

Location
ISL is proudly located in over 16 offices across Western Canada.

This position is open to candidates in Edmonton.

At ISL your identity is part of our identity. Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) speaks to our core values and provides space for our teams to bring their authentic selves to work. ISL believes DEI creates the best outcomes for our clients while sustaining a happy and thriving work setting that allows for career development and opportunities for all staff. ISL is committed to a focused effort on continuous improvement and development of a respectful and safe workplace.
We thank all applicants in advance for their interest in this position.Only those who will be selected for an interview will be contacted.

7909 51 Ave NW, Edmonton, AB T6E 5L9, Canada

#J-18808-Ljbffr

📌 Controller (Alberta)
🏢 ISL Engineering and Land Services
📍 Alberta