Senior Manager, Accounting

Senior Manager, Accounting & Finance Future Controller Opportunity

Location: Coquitlam, BC
Employment Type: Permanent, Full-Time
Work Arrangement: Primarily in-office
Compensation: $125,000 to $140,000, depending on experience

Our client is a successful and growing multi-location organization seeking a hands-on Senior Manager, Accounting & Finance to join its leadership team.

This is a strong opportunity for an experienced accounting professional who thrives in a fast-moving, entrepreneurial environment and is interested in progressing into a Controller position within approximately two years.

Reporting to the Director of Finance, the Senior Manager will oversee core accounting operations, lead and develop the accounting team, strengthen financial processes and systems, and work closely with senior executives, business owners and operational leaders.

This is not a narrowly defined or highly structured corporate role. The successful candidate will be comfortable working through ambiguity, responding quickly to changing priorities and creating structure where processes are still evolving.

Key Responsibilities

• Oversee the day-to-day operations of the accounting department, including accounts payable, accounts receivable, general ledger and financial reporting.

• Lead the monthly, quarterly and year-end close processes.

• Ensure journal entries, accruals, cut-offs, reconciliations and working papers are complete, accurate and properly supported.

• Assist with the preparation of financial statements, management reporting, variance analysis and reporting for multiple operating and real estate entities.

• Review balance sheet reconciliations, journal entries, account analyses and financial reports.

• Ensure consistent accounting practices, processes and controls across multiple locations and entities.

• Partner with operational managers to resolve accounting and financial issues.

• Maintain and review cash-flow forecasts for multiple entities.

• Oversee daily cash reporting and bank reconciliations.

• Complete and review intercompany reconciliations.

• Prepare and review commodity tax reconciliations and filings.

• Monitor additional tax filings, instalments and other compliance requirements.

• Support inventory reconciliations and variance analysis.

• Ensure compliance with ASPE and applicable accounting standards.

• Identify and implement improvements to accounting processes, internal controls, reporting and subledger integrity.

• Support ERP, payroll, accounts payable automation and reporting-system improvements and integrations.

• Develop and improve financial reporting tools using advanced Excel and other systems.

• Lead, mentor and coach accounting team members.

• Establish clear expectations and accountability across the accounting function.

• Communicate financial information clearly and concisely to executives, owners and operational leaders.

• Assist with special projects, due diligence, business analysis and strategic initiatives.

Qualifications

• Chartered Professional Accountant designation.

• At least seven years of progressive accounting experience.

• A minimum of three years of accounting management or team leadership experience.

• Strong technical accounting knowledge, including financial reporting, reconciliations, internal controls and ASPE.

• Advanced Excel skills, including complex formulas, financial modelling, data analysis and management reporting.

• Strong ERP and accounting systems experience.

• Experience improving accounting processes, reporting tools or systems integrations.

• Proven ability to manage multiple deadlines and competing priorities.

• Experience working within a multi-location organization is preferred.

• Experience in automotive, hospitality, retail, manufacturing, distribution or another operationally focused environment would be an asset.

• Candidates coming directly from public practice will be considered, provided they demonstrate strong commercial judgment and a willingness to be highly hands-on.

Leadership and Working Style

The successful candidate will be:

• A clear, confident and concise communicator.

• Comfortable communicating directly with senior executives, business owners and operational managers.

• Quick-thinking and able to respond effectively when priorities change.

• Resourceful and able to make progress without waiting for perfect information or detailed instructions.

• Comfortable working in an entrepreneurial environment where not every process is fully documented.

• Capable of creating structure rather than relying on an already established corporate framework.

• Assertive when necessary while remaining diplomatic and solutions-focused.

• Calm and practical when unexpected issues arise.

• Highly accountable and willing to take ownership of problems through to resolution.

• Able to balance technical accuracy with timely, commercially practical decision-making.

• A strong people leader who can coach employees, address performance concerns and maintain high standards.

• Hands-on and willing to move between leadership, detailed accounting work and urgent operational priorities.

• Flexible regarding additional hours during busy periods and when business needs require it.

Why Consider This Opportunity?

This role offers significant exposure to executive decision-making, business operations, financial systems and organizational growth.

The company is specifically looking for someone who can develop into its future Controller, with increased responsibility, compensation and bonus potential as the individual progresses.

This opportunity will appeal to an ambitious accounting leader who enjoys improving systems, solving problems, developing people and making a visible impact within a growing organization.

Please send your resume to Tina Burke at tburke@burkerecruiting.com