Controller

CanWest Mechanical is a multi-disciplinary mechanical and industrial contractor based in Fanny Bay on Vancouver Island, serving clients across Western Canada. The company delivers mechanical construction, fabrication, and service work across industrial, commercial, and municipal projects, with safety as a core operating priority.

CanWest provides a broad range of mechanical services, including HVAC and sheet metal, plumbing, pipe fabrication, gas fitting, structural steel fabrication, and complete mechanical installations. The business supports both large-scale construction projects and ongoing service requirements across multiple sectors. CanWest is locally owned and operates in a project-based construction environment where execution, coordination, and reliability are critical.

THE OPPORTUNITY

CanWest Mechanical is seeking a Controller to lead the company's accounting and financial reporting for CanWest Mechanical and its affiliated operating entities. The Controller will oversee the day-to-day finance and accounting function, ensuring accurate reporting, effective cash flow management, and sound accounting practices.

The role supports informed decision-making by providing clear, reliable financial information. Working closely with ownership and the leadership team, the Controller will help manage financial risk and ensure the finance function operates with discipline, consistency, and clarity.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Cash Flow, Payroll, and Core Transactions

• Direct accounts payable, accounts receivable, and payroll functions, ensuring accuracy, timeliness, and adherence to company policy.
• Oversee ongoing cash flow management, including short- and medium-term forecasting aligned to project activity and payment cycles.
• Manage debt servicing and ensure all financial obligations are met in accordance with agreed terms.

 Accounting and Financial Reporting

• Lead the month-end close and financial reporting process, ensuring financial statements are accurate, complete, and delivered on schedule.
• Maintain the general ledger and chart of accounts, enforcing consistent and appropriate transaction coding across projects and cost centres.
• Prepare monthly financial statements and supporting schedules, including balance sheet reconciliations and variance analysis.
• Deliver clear financial reporting and analysis that explains performance, trends, and material drivers to leadership.

Compliance and External Coordination

• Ensure compliance with all federal and provincial tax, payroll, and statutory reporting requirements.
• Manage relationships with external accountants and coordinate year-end reporting, audits, and tax filings.
• Prepare and submit bonding, insurance, and lender reporting accurately and within required timelines.
• Maintain complete and audit-ready financial documentation and records.

Budgeting, Forecasting, and Job Costing Support

• Lead the annual budgeting process in coordination with leadership and operations.
• Maintain rolling forecasts reflecting current project status, backlog, and expected cash flows.
• Analyze performance against budget and forecast, investigate variances, and communicate findings clearly.
• Work closely with operations to support job costing, margin analysis, and identification of emerging financial risks.

Systems, Controls, and Process Improvement

• Establish and maintain effective internal controls to safeguard company assets and ensure reliable financial reporting.
• Develop, document, and enforce accounting policies and procedures.
• Assess financial systems and workflows to identify control gaps or inefficiencies.
• Implement process improvements that strengthen accuracy, consistency, and scalability while maintaining operational continuity.

Financial Management and Leadership

• Provide direct management of the accounting function, setting priorities and ensuring consistent execution of responsibilities.
• Review and approve work output to maintain accuracy, completeness, and compliance with established standards.
• Build and maintain capability within the finance team through clear expectations, oversight, and development.
• Ensure continuity and reliability of finance operations through documentation, cross-coverage, and disciplined execution.

Requirements

 Education and Certifications

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related discipline.
• CPA designation.

 Skills and Experience

• 8+ years of progressive accounting experience, including ownership of full-cycle accounting and financial reporting.
• Strong working knowledge of Canadian accounting standards, internal controls, and statutory reporting requirements.
• Hands-on experience managing cash flow, including short- and medium-term forecasting tied to project timelines and payment cycles.
• Direct responsibility for payroll, accounts payable, and accounts receivable functions, including oversight of accuracy, timing, and controls.
• Experience supporting annual budgeting and ongoing forecasting, with responsibility for variance analysis and financial explanation.
• Practical experience with job costing and project-based financial tracking, including margin analysis and monitoring of cost overruns.
• Experience coordinating with external accountants on year-end reporting, audits, and tax filings.
• Experience working with an ERP system in an operational environment; experience supporting an ERP implementation is a strong asset.
• Experience preparing financial information for lenders, bonding providers, or other external stakeholders.
• Advanced Excel skills, including financial models, reconciliations, and analysis, and experience working with accounting and reporting systems.
• Demonstrated experience managing and leading accounting staff, with accountability for output, accuracy, and deadlines.
• Sound professional judgment and comfort operating in a construction environment with active project risk and evolving information.

Benefits

• Compensation: $110,000 - $130,000, based on skillset and experience
• Benefits: Extended health, vision, and dental
• RRSP: Company RRSP program
• Location: Fanny Bay, Vancouver Island (on-site role)