The Role
The Controller will oversee global financial reporting, optimize financial systems, enforce internal controls, manage audits, and develop a global accounting team.
Summary Generated by Built In
We are seeking a Corporate Controller who is a meticulous architect of financial systems. As the Controller, you are a member of the FreeBalance international accounting and finance (A&F) team, responsible for the quality and timeliness of international financial reporting for the FreeBalance group of companies, directly supporting the Director of Finance. You will be responsible for the quality and timely completion of all financial transactions worldwide at a detailed level to support local, regional and worldwide financial reporting to all stakeholders. This position must meet tight deadlines across multiple complex projects, in numerous countries, in various subsidiaries with different base currencies and reporting obligations, within a consolidated matrixed reporting organization. You will be responsible for ensuring that as we expand into 40+ countries, our financial integrity remains unassailable through rigorous controls, institutional-grade reporting, and seamless audit readiness.
This is a full-time position based in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.
Main Responsibilities:
- Systems Optimization: Lead the evolution of our global ERP (e.g., NetSuite) to handle high-volume, multi-subsidiary transactions across 40+ jurisdictions.
- Close Process Excellence: Standardize and automate the global month-end close process to provide leadership with "real-time" visibility into performance.
- Scalable Frameworks: Establish standardized accounting policies that ensure consistency as new international entities are onboarded.
- Control Design: Develop and implement a robust internal control framework (COSO-based) tailored for a high-growth, PE-backed software global enterprise.
- Policy Governance: Create and enforce corporate-wide financial policies (e.g., Revenue Recognition under IFRS 15/ASC 606, T&E, and Procurement).
- Risk Assessment: Conduct regular internal reviews to identify and remediate gaps in financial processes before they impact reporting integrity.
- Audit Leadership: Serve as the primary point of contact for external auditors, managing the global audit calendar to ensure timely completion of the consolidated year-end audit.
- Local Statutory Compliance: Oversee the timely filing of statutory financial statements in all 30+ (expanding to 40+) operating countries, ensuring alignment with local GAAP.
- Technical Accounting: Act as the internal expert on complex accounting issues, ensuring the company stays ahead of evolving regulatory standards.
- Consolidated Reporting: Deliver monthly and quarterly financial packages that meet the high-transparency requirements of Private Equity stakeholders.
- SaaS Metrics Integrity: Ensure the accuracy of critical SaaS KPIs (ARR, Net Retention, LTV/CAC) by reconciling financial data with CRM and billing systems.
- M&A Support: Lead the financial integration of acquired companies, mapping their data into our control environment within the first 90 days.
- Team Scaling: Recruit and mentor a global accounting team, instilling a "zero-defect" culture regarding financial data.
- Stakeholder Partnership: Work closely with the CFO and Senior Director of Finance to provide the data-driven insights necessary for strategic decision-making.
1. Global Financial Architecture & Scalability
2. Rigorous Internal Controls & Risk Mitigation
3. External Audit & Regulatory Compliance
4. PE-Grade Reporting & Business Intelligence
5. Leadership & Team Development
Qualifications:
- Minimum University degree in Business, Commerce or Accounting.
- Financial Designation such as CPA, CMA, CGA, CA, is required
- 10+ years of accounting leadership, with significant time spent in a $50M+ global software or technology organization.
- Tax knowledge in one or multiple countries is considered an asset.
- Highly motivated person, with strong analytical skills with multi-tasking abilities.
- Strong oral and written communication skills in English.
- Experience with a variety of ERP financial systems.
- PE Maturity: You understand the "no surprises" reporting cadence required by Private Equity firms.
- The "Architect" Mindset: You are energized by the challenge of taking a fragmented process and turning it into a streamlined, automated, and audit-ready machine.
We thank all applicants for their interest; however, only those selected for an interview will be contacted. FreeBalance is an inclusive employer dedicated to building a diverse workforce to increase the representation of the designated groups based on each country’s legislation. We encourage applications from all qualified candidates and will accommodate applicants’ needs under the respective labour law throughout all stages of the recruitment process.
Top Skills
Asc 606
Erp Systems
Ifrs 15
NetSuite
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The Company
What We Do
FreeBalance is a purpose-led organisation dedicated to improving citizen wellbeing around the world.
Our Public Financial Management (PFM) and GovTech solutions, advisory services and training deliver realistic and impactful public sector reform that enhance transparency, improve effectiveness, restore trust and create innovation breakthrough opportunities. We believe strongly in fiscal transparency and accountability and our products help bring the power of open government to citizens and decision-makers around the world.
With a 35-year track record of success and operations in 27 countries, FreeBalance has unparalleled experience in public finance reform and is a specialized Business-to-Government (B2G) firm.
The FreeBalance team is composed of passionate and inspired people who build solutions that make a difference. With over 30 different nationalities in the team we pride ourselves on our diversity and are deeply committed to building local talent in the countries in which we operate. This diversity of thinking helps us to create solutions relevant to the country context.
