Controller

As Controller, you'll lead ISL's financial accounting function while supporting a growing organization of approximately 600 employees.

Working closely with the CFO and senior managers, you'll make sure financial information is accurate, timely and meaningful while improving the processes, controls and reporting behind it.

• Leading the month-end and year-end close, including timelines and workload across the finance team
• Preparing monthly financial statements and management reporting for the CFO
• Analyzing revenue, profitability and net income performance, and explaining variances to leadership
• Overseeing the annual external audit and coordinating audit deliverables

Planning and Analysis

• Partnering with the CFO on short and long-term financial and business planning, including tax planning and capital asset strategy
• Partnering with the Project Delivery Office and sector leadership on project financial performance, including work in progress, unbilled revenue and aging, and the governance around project write-downs and write-offs
• Owning the annual budget and rolling forecast process, monitoring variances and presenting recommendations to senior leadership
• Reviewing indirect labour, fringe benefits and overhead forecasts
• Identifying financial risks and opportunities, and recommending action
• Turning financial and project data into insight the business can act on, including dashboards and reporting that equip leaders to make informed decisions

• Owning the general ledger — its structure, account design and mapping across projects, time codes and financial statements
• Maintaining strong internal controls and ensuring compliance with accounting standards
• Developing and monitoring controls over project coding, timesheets, overtime and payroll accuracy and data integrity
• Managing cash flow, working capital and balance sheet reconciliations, and implementing strategies to optimize cash and mitigate financial loss
• Overseeing accounts payable and accounts receivable, including vendor payments, collections and working capital cycles
• Overseeing tax accruals, GST remittance timing and payroll-related tax compliance
• Reviewing employee expense claims and overhead invoices

• Leading financial system testing and ERP enhancements, including timesheet and coding structure redesign
• Evaluating automation and data upload opportunities across accounting workflows
• Exploring how AI and emerging technology can improve efficiency and reporting
• Leading continuous improvement initiatives across Finance & Operations

• Leading, coaching and developing our accounting team: Senior Accountant, Junior Accountant, Accounts Payable and Payroll
• Assigning work, setting clear expectations and reviewing team output
• Building cross-training and continuity planning into how the team operates
• There's more, but these are the responsibilities that will define your day-to-day impact.

Ready to throw your name in?

Who will thrive in this role

You’ll do well here if you:

• See the story behind the numbers Financial statements aren't just reports to you. You look for trends, risks and opportunities before others notice them, and you use data to answer the questions the business is actually asking.
• Financial statements aren't just reports to you. You look for trends, risks and opportunities before others notice them, and you use data to answer the questions the business is actually asking.
• Lead with both accountability and support You enjoy coaching people, setting clear expectations and creating an environment where your team can succeed.
• You enjoy coaching people, setting clear expectations and creating an environment where your team can succeed.
• Balance accuracy with practicality Strong controls matter, but you know they have to work in the real world for operational teams.
• Strong controls matter, but you know they have to work in the real world for operational teams.
• Build better systems Streamlining workflows, improving reporting, leveraging AI, building dashboards — you're always looking for a better way to work.
• Streamlining workflows, improving reporting, leveraging AI, building dashboards — you're always looking for a better way to work.
• Take ownership naturally When something doesn't look right, you investigate. You don't wait for someone else to notice.
• When something doesn't look right, you investigate. You don't wait for someone else to notice.
• Stay calm in complexity Multiple deadlines, competing priorities, audits, acquisitions, organizational growth. You bring order without losing perspective.
• Multiple deadlines, competing priorities, audits, acquisitions, organizational growth. You bring order without losing perspective.
• Think like a business partner You work alongside leaders across the organization, helping them understand financial performance and supporting sound business decisions.
• You work alongside leaders across the organization, helping them understand financial performance and supporting sound business decisions.

This is a role for someone who wants to influence how Finance operates, not simply maintain it.

Your application should demonstrate the following:

• CPA designation
• Bachelor's degree in accounting, finance or a related field
• 8+ years of Controller level experience, including leadership responsibilities
• Strong knowledge of Canadian accounting standards and financial reporting
• Experience leading month-end close, financial statement preparation and external audits
• Proven experience developing and mentoring accounting staff
• Strong understanding of payroll, general ledger management, reconciliations and internal controls
• Experience improving financial processes within a growing organization
• Strong analytical and critical thinking skills, with a track record of working with large volumes of financial and operational data and translating results into recommendations senior leaders can act on
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with a high degree of confidentiality, professionalism and integrity
• Advanced Microsoft Excel skills
• Experience with ERP systems (BST or similar experience is considered a strong asset) including transitions and data migration

Assets would include:

• Experience within engineering, consulting, construction or other professional services organizations
• Experience building dashboards and financial reporting using Power BI or similar tools
• Familiarity with AI tools that improve accounting workflows, reporting or process automation
• Experience supporting organizations through growth and operational change
• Experience with Dayforce

We value you for your contributions and want to ensure that your personal success is intertwined with your professional success.

Our wellness philosophy encompasses the four pillars of physical, mental, financial and spiritual wellbeing which is why our benefits package is comprehensive and offers you some of the best available tools to maximize your career and lifestyle.

Here are some of the amazing benefits we provide:

• Flexible working hours
• Hybrid model of work
• Excellent mentorship
• Employer paid benefits including health, dental and extensive paramedical services
• Healthcare Spending and Lifestyle Option Accounts
• Group RRSP
• Parental leave top ups
• Annual bonus incentives
• Paid professional development opportunities and memberships
• 24/7/365 Employee Family Assistance program

ISL is proudly located in over 16 offices across Western Canada.

• This position is open to candidates in Edmonton.