Reporting to the VP of Finance, the Finance Controller is responsible for providing financial leadership and business support within the operating business. This role is responsible for ensuring that the business operates within the agreed financial and business control frameworks, to support the Vice President of Finance in implementing group-wide policies and initiatives and to provide financial and business insight to support the business in delivery of superior performance.
CORE RESPONSIBILITIES:
Drive a culture of financial accountability in the business and support the financial integration to the Mpac Group
Support the group and business management team in driving profitable growth and business development
Ensure appropriate controls are in place and adhered to across the business
Work with IT to ensure appropriate controls and checks and balances are in place at all times to ensure the integrity of the business's IT infrastructure
Support the Vice President of Finance with the strategic and financial planning process in the business
Work with the Vice President of Finance to ensure consistency in approach to planning, budgeting and forecasting across the group
Work with other functions to provide reliable external and internal information to the planning process
Provide input on suggested improvements to the planning, budgeting and forecasting processes
Implement monitoring and accountability processes for strategic action plans (SAP's) in the business
Work with the local management team to ensure alignment with group strategy
Develop a "customer service" culture in Finance
Develop and evaluate performance of Finance staff according to the business' needs
Act as the key business partner to the local management team, providing financial support, critical analysis and insight to support decision making
Ensure the business has processes in place to provide timely, accurate information and meet external reporting requirements in terms of timing and information quality
Review business performance against forecast/budget/plan; identify variances and actions to address shortfalls and work with the President/General Manager
Identify and drive initiatives to improve profitability and cash generation; take a proactive approach to ensure the business is appropriately focused on cash
Manage day-to-day treasury-related activities (cash, foreign exchange management, bank relations)
Ensure the A/R (including credit management), A/P and payroll activities in the business are carried out based on optimized processes
Provide support to process improvement initiatives within the business and group
Take the lead in local tax compliance activities; work with the Vice President of Finance to optimize tax positions
Work with the Engineering team to maximize R&D tax credits
Ensure capital expenditure requests are presented with the appropriate depth of analysis and sound business justifications
Work with other group controllers to identify and share best practices, optimize inter-group processes and remove or reduce barriers to inter-group co-operation
Support the Vice President of Finance in driving the implementation of internal audit recommendations and other mandated directives
Support the Vice President of Finance in risk assessment and risk management activities for the group
Increase "financial literacy" within the business by working with colleagues to increase understanding of financial statements and financial drivers of performance
DESIRED BEHAVIOURAL COMPETENCES:
Impact and influence - works effectively with others across functional areas; a respected voice in the management team
Achievement Motivation - results oriented, tracker and doer. Sets high standards and objectives and establishes well-defined plans to achieve them
Listening, understanding, responding - an effective and articulate communicator
Service oriented - clearly understands role in supporting the business and outside customers
Team Leadership - effective at building support, thinks team first, promotes success in terms of team as well as individual success, is adept at creating a shared vision, able to draw out the best in team members
Decision-making - makes good decisions based on sound understanding and evaluation of relevant information; gathers information and involves others as appropriate; understands and respects boundaries of authority
Demonstrates and promotes honesty and integrity in all business activities
Comfortable in a matrix organization structure
Combines a hands-on approach (ready to "roll-up his/her sleeves") with delegation to ensure sufficient time is available for analysis and support; promotes a culture of collaboration
Combines a solid understanding of the "big picture" and the steps needed to achieve strategic objectives without losing sight of the details
Able to lead the business in financial issues; can explain complex financial concepts in a way that can be readily understood by the non-finance person
Comfortable under pressure; respects and meets deadlines
Positive, enthusiastic and energetic
KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS REQUIRED:
Proven track record of achievement and demonstrated career progression.
Minimum of 5+ years in cost accounting and/or financial planning and analysis (manufacturing or project-based accounting under IFRS an asset)
Experience in a multi-location (preferably multi-national) matrix organization
Excellent communication skills - written and oral (including presentation skills)
University degree and recognized accounting designation (CPA).
Excellent systems skills - thorough understanding of ERP systems; advanced user of Excel
Ability to concisely summarize large amounts of data to drive decision making process