Financial Controller

Financial Controller, Canada

At Salas O’Brien we tell our clients that we’re engineered for impact. This passion for making a difference applies just as much to our team as it does to our projects. That’s why we’re committed to living our values every day: inspiring, achieving, and connecting as shared owners of our success with a focus on a sustainable future.

Building for the long-term means that all of our team members can expect to work on amazing projects with a people-first approach to problem solving. It also means that each member of our team has truly limitless potential to build a unique, meaningful, and high-impact career—and they’ll receive great total rewards along the way.

About Us

Founded in 1975, Salas O’Brien is an employee-owned engineering and professional services firm focused on achieving impact for our clients, our team, and the world. We know that tomorrow’s requirements are today’s opportunities, and we are here to design lasting solutions for pressing challenges.

We work across a variety of industries providing integrated engineering and consulting services. Our specialized experience includes design for data centers, healthcare, science and technology, high-rise buildings, clean energy, education, and other building types as well as structural and building sciences, infrastructure asset management, advanced robotics, and more.

Our technical expertise is paired with an exceptional team of business development, human resources, finance and accounting, information technology, and marketing professionals, all of whom play a key role in bringing our commitments to life every day.

Position Summary

The Financial Controller is responsible for overseeing the day-to-day accounting operations of the division and ensuring the accuracy, integrity, and timeliness of financial reporting. This role provides leadership for financial controls, accounting processes, project accounting support, cash management, and compliance activities within a project-based engineering consulting environment.

The Financial Controller works closely with operational leaders, project managers, and corporate finance teams to support business performance, maintain strong internal controls, and provide financial insights that support strategic decision-making. This role will work closely with the Managing Principal of MEP Operations to provide meaningful information about financial performance.

Key Responsibilities

Project Accounting & Revenue Recognition 

• Lead project accounting activities across engineering and consulting projects.
• Ensure accurate project setup, budgeting, billing, and closeout processes.
• Verify compliance with project-based revenue recognition standards and company policies.
• Perform detailed reviews of project accruals, unbilled revenue, work-in-progress (WIP), and deferred revenue balances.
• Examine project fees, profitability, backlog and pipeline data to validate accuracy.
• Partner with project managers to improve project financial performance and billing efficiency.

Financial Reporting & Month-End Close

• Lead the monthly, quarterly, and annual financial close processes.
• Ensure accurate and timely preparation of financial statements and management reports.
• Review and approve journal entries, account reconciliations, and financial analyses.
• Maintain the integrity of the general ledger and supporting schedules.
• Coordinate year-end audit activities and liaise with external auditors.

Accounting Operations

• Oversee all accounting functions, including:
• General Accounting, including reconciliations
• Accounts Payable
• Accounts Receivable
• Billing
• Fixed Assets
• Cash Management
• Payroll support
• Tax support
• Ensure compliance with accounting policies, procedures, and internal controls.
• Monitor accounting transactions to ensure accuracy and completeness.

Financial Planning & Analysis Support

• Prepare annual budgets and regular billing projections and forecasts.
• Analyze financial results and explain variances against budget and forecast. 
• Produce and monitor key performance indicators, including:
• Revenue
• Gross margin
• Utilization
• EBITDA
• DSO (Days Sales Outstanding)
• Project profitability
• Working capital metrics
• Provide management with actionable financial insights and recommendations.

Cash Flow & Working Capital Management

• Monitor cash flow, collections, and accounts receivable performance.
• Support forecasting of short- and long-term cash requirements.
• Work with project and business leaders to reduce aged receivables and improve cash conversion.
• Review client billing processes to ensure timely invoicing and collections.

Internal Controls & Compliance

• Maintain a strong internal control environment.
• Ensure compliance with accounting standards, tax regulations, and company policies.
• Support annual corporate tax filings and indirect tax compliance (GST/HST, provincial requirements).
• Assist with risk management, insurance reporting, and contractual compliance activities.
• Implement corrective actions identified through audits or control reviews.

Systems & Process Improvement

• Identify opportunities to improve efficiency through automation and standardization.
• Support ERP system enhancements and finance transformation initiatives.
• Develop and maintain financial dashboards and reporting tools.
• Promote continuous improvement across finance and accounting processes.

Team Leadership

• Supervise and mentor accounting team members.
• Establish performance goals and development plans.
• Foster a culture of accountability, collaboration, and customer service.
• Support recruitment, onboarding, and succession planning activities.

Qualifications

Education

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, Commerce, or related field.
• CPA designation (CPA Canada) preferred

Skills and Experience

• 8–12 years of progressive accounting experience.
• Minimum 3–5 years in a leadership or supervisory role.
• Experience within engineering consulting, architecture, construction services, professional services, or other project-based industries preferred.
• Experience managing full-cycle accounting and financial reporting activities.
• Previous experience supporting external audits and internal control programs.
• Ability to work in both English and French preferred.

Technical Knowledge

• Strong working knowledge of:
• IFRS and/or ASPE
• Project accounting
• Revenue recognition
• Financial reporting
• Internal controls
• Budgeting and forecasting
• Advanced Excel skills.
• Experience with ERP systems such as Deltek Vantagepoint, Deltek Vision, BST, Unanet, Oracle, Microsoft Dynamics, or similar platforms.

Core Competencies

• Financial and Business Acumen
• Attention to Detail
• Leadership and Team Development
• Strategic Problem Solving
• Process Improvement
• Accountability
• Communication and Influencing Skills
• Collaboration
• Change Management
• Results Orientation

Key Performance Indicators

• Timely completion of month-end close.
• Accuracy of financial statements and reconciliations.
• Audit findings and compliance results.
• Forecast and budget accuracy.
• Reduction of aged receivables and WIP balances.
• Improvement in cash flow and working capital performance.
• Employee engagement and development within the finance team.
• Process efficiency and automation achievements.

Compensation

The expected base salary range for this position is $145,000 - $175,000 CAD and eligible for a performance bonus.

Actual compensation will be based on relevant experience, skills, qualifications, geographic location, business needs, and internal equity.

Third-Party Agency Notice

Salas O'Brien does not accept unsolicited resumes from external recruiters or agencies. We work only with approved partners engaged directly by our Talent Acquisition team for specific searches. Unsolicited submissions will not be eligible for placement fees.