Job Description
Controller
Position Summary
The Controller helps manage the firm’s time and money to ensure it meets its goals for profitability and its strategic objectives, while complying with all applicable laws and regulations.
The Controller is responsible for the preparation of budgets, plans, and managerial accounting such as cash flow projections, and for maintaining the firm’s accounts and records including timesheets, invoicing, accounts receivable, accounts payable, and bank accounts. Working with and advising senior staff and Principals, the Controller supports decision-making by providing accurate financial insight and analysis. Overall, the Controller safeguards the firm’s financial health by controlling expenses, monitoring revenue, and developing and implementing effective systems and procedures.
Key Responsibilities
Supporting & Advising
Support Principals and senior staff in the preparation and control of:
- Proposals, bids, and quotes
- Project plans and time budgets
- Project and budget reviews
Leading
Prepare and control budgets, processes, records, and assessments for:
- Strategic and business planning
- Business development
- Projects
- Recruitment, payroll, benefits, and insurances
Accounting
Ensure that the following are kept current and comply with all applicable regulations, laws, standards, and company policies:
- Ledgers and accounts
- Leases
- Payroll and payroll contributions
- Accounts receivable and accounts payable
- Taxation
- Insurances
- Professional fees and all other financial records
Contract Administration
Carry out the following contract administration tasks:
- Assisting in the preparation of contracts
- Supporting the preparation of project budgets
- Recording and invoicing time and expenses to clients
- Collecting accounts receivable in a timely fashion
Billings
Own the billing cycle in Deltek Vantagepoint to ensure invoices are accurate, timely, and support healthy cash flow:
- Generate and issue client invoices on schedule, in line with contract terms and billing arrangements (fixed fee, percent-complete, time-and-materials, and phased billing)
- Prepare and manage billing terms, review draft invoices, and process write-ups and write-offs with Principal approval
- Track unbilled work-in-progress and drive it to invoice promptly to minimize billing lag
- Reconcile billed amounts to project budgets and fee agreements, and resolve billing discrepancies with project managers
- Coordinate with Principals and project managers on billing reviews, holds, and adjustments
- Monitor billing realization and effective billing rates against targets
Reporting
Prepare the following documents, as required by the Principals and authorized staff:
- Managerial accounting reports
- Financial accounting reports
- Budgets and all other financial or accounting assessments
Knowledge & Skill Requirements
1. Knowledge of finance, accounting, budgeting, and cost-control principles, including Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP). Knowledge of automated financial and accounting reporting systems, provincial and federal financial regulations, and short- and long-term budgeting, forecasting, and rolling budgets.
2. Professional written and verbal communication and interpersonal skills. Ability to motivate staff to produce quality materials within tight timeframes while simultaneously managing several projects, and to participate in and facilitate group meetings.
3. A combination of a Bachelor’s degree in accounting or business administration and seven to ten years’ experience in a senior-level finance or accounting position.
Key Performance Indicators
The Controller is accountable for monitoring and reporting the following KPIs against firm targets and industry benchmarks and for flagging variances early:
- Profitability: net revenue, operating profit margin, and EBITDA against plan
- Overhead rate and breakeven multiplier (total operating expenses ÷ direct labour)
- Net labour multiplier and total labour multiplier
- Utilization / chargeability by staff and firm-wide
- Compensation as a percentage of net revenue
- Days sales outstanding (DSO) and accounts receivable aging
- Billing realization, effective billing rate, and unbilled work-in-progress
- Cash flow, working capital, and backlog / revenue forecast accuracy
- Project performance: budget-to-actual, effective multiplier, and write-offs
Software Requirements
- Deltek Vantagepoint / Deltek Vision, including reporting, dashboards, and analytics
- Ceridian Powerpay
- Microsoft Office
Pay: From $97,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- Casual dress
- Dental care
- Extended health care
- Flexible schedule
- Paid time off
- Wellness program
Education:
- Bachelor's Degree (required)
Experience:
- AEC industry : 3 years (required)
- Accounting: 7 years (required)
- Deltek/vantagepoint: 3 years (required)
Location:
Work Location: Hybrid remote in Toronto, ON (Toronto District)
