Controller

First District Mechanical | Port Coquitlam, BC
Full-Time | In Office

Help Build the Financial Engine Behind the Next Stage of First District Mechanical

First District Mechanical is a growing commercial mechanical contractor serving the Lower Mainland across HVAC, plumbing, hydronics, electrical, service, maintenance and retrofit projects.

We're looking for a Controller—but we're not looking for someone who simply wants to maintain an accounting department.

We're looking for someone who wants to build one.

This is an opportunity for an ambitious finance leader to work directly with the President and leadership team, understand how the business really operates, challenge the status quo and help build the financial systems behind our next stage of growth.

If you're entrepreneurial, commercially minded, strong with numbers and excited by building better systems, you'll probably enjoy what we're building.

What You'll Own

You'll lead the financial function at First District, including:

- Financial statements and month-end reporting
- Cash-flow management and rolling forecasting
- Annual budgets and ongoing forecasts
- AP, AR and working-capital management
- Job costing and profitability analysis
- Departmental financial performance
- Balance-sheet integrity and reconciliations
- Financial controls and accounting policies
- Banking and external accountant relationships
- Year-end and statutory compliance
- Developing meaningful financial KPIs for leadership

We don't just want to know what happened last month. We want someone helping us understand where we're going and what we should do next.

Build the Department

One of your first priorities will be assessing our existing finance function:

- What work actually needs to be done?
- Who should be doing it?
- What should be automated?
- What financial information should leadership receive?
- Where are stronger controls needed?
- How can we build a lean finance department that scales as FDM grows?





You'll have the opportunity to shape the team, processes and systems rather than simply inheriting "the way we've always done it."

Technology & Continuous Improvement
First District is committed to using better systems, automation and emerging technology where they meaningfully improve the business.

You don't need to be an AI expert, but you should be curious, adaptable and willing to challenge traditional workflows.

We're looking for someone who asks, "Why are we doing this manually?" and helps us build a more efficient, scalable finance function while maintaining solid financial controls.

The Person We're Looking For

You may already be a Controller or Assistant Controller.

Or you may be an ambitious finance professional coming from public practice or a larger organization who is ready to step into a business and own the finance function.

Ideally, you bring:

- 5+ years of progressive accounting or finance experience
- CPA designation strongly preferred
- Solid financial reporting and accounting fundamentals
- Excellent understanding of cash flow and working capital
- Budgeting, forecasting and financial-analysis experience
- Strong Excel and systems/data capability
- Confidence communicating with operational leaders and ownership
- A desire to improve processes rather than simply follow them
- Curiosity around AI, automation and emerging technology

Experience in construction, mechanical contracting, project accounting or field-service businesses is an asset, but not mandatory.

Experience in public practice, including Big Four or another major accounting firm, would also be highly valued.





You'll Probably Fit Here If...

You like getting underneath the numbers.

You ask questions.

You challenge inefficient processes.

You're comfortable telling the President when you disagree with him.

You can move between detailed accounting work and high-level business thinking.

And you're excited by the idea of helping an entrepreneurial company build something better rather than stepping into a finished corporate finance department.

What Success Looks Like

Within your first year:

- Leadership has reliable financial information when decisions need to be made.
- We have a dependable rolling cash-flow forecast.
- AP and AR are managed with discipline.
- Department and job profitability are clearly understood.
- Budget versus actual performance is visible throughout the year.
- Month-end reporting is accurate and timely.
- The accounting team has clear responsibilities.
- Repetitive financial administration is increasingly automated.
- Financial controls strengthen as the company grows.

Ultimately, our leadership team should always be able to answer:

- Where are we financially?
- Where are we heading?
- What should we do about it?

The Opportunity

You'll work directly with the President and have significant influence over how the financial side of First District is built.

This isn't a role for someone looking to simply maintain an established accounting department.

It's for someone who wants the opportunity to build, improve, challenge and grow alongside the company.

Pay: $105,000.00-$135,000.00 per year

Benefits:

- Company events
- Extended health care
- Flexible schedule
- Paid time off

Application question(s):

- Are you able to work full-time in person at our Port Coquitlam office?
- Do you hold a Canadian CPA designation, or are you currently completing the CPA program?

Experience:

- Progressive Accounting or Finance: 5 years (required)

Work Location: In person

📌 Controller (Canada)
🏢 First District Mechanical
📍 Canada