Controller

CONTROLLER | Full-time, permanent

About Sterling Fire Protection Inc.

Sterling Fire Protection is a locally owned fire protection company based in Edmonton, operating since We provide installation, inspection, and maintenance services for residential, commercial, and industrial fire and life safety systems, bringing deep technical expertise across a wide range of applications—from residential portfolios to complex industrial and specialty systems.

As a growing, established organization, Sterling continues to invest deliberately in its people, systems, and future. Our focus is on sustainable growth, strong client partnerships, and maintaining high standards of quality and professionalism. We pride ourselves on being experts in our market and on fostering a supportive, accountable environment where employees can build long-term, meaningful careers while contributing to a company committed to doing things the right way.

Position Summary

This role is designed to strengthen financial ownership and reporting following a period of significant growth, bringing senior-level operational accounting leadership and trusted financial insight to support the organization's continued maturation. It is best suited to a Controller who values strong financial fundamentals, remains engaged in the accounting process, and enjoys working collaboratively to support the organization and its leadership as it continues to evolve.

Key Responsibilities:

Financial Management & Reporting

• Prepare accurate monthly and annual financial statements.
• Analyze financial results, compare with budget, and provide insights and recommendations for improvements.
• Track and analyze financial performance across business units by monitoring variances, reviewing cost structures, and supporting margin protection through insight and reporting.
• Prepare and present financial reporting packages and summaries for the ownership.
• Own and directly execute key accounting activities at a senior level, including departmental analysis, complex journal entries, month-end close, WIP, reconciliations, and inventory and asset management, balancing strategic oversight with hands-on execution.
• Plan and manage cash flow to ensure sufficient liquidity for day-to-day operations.
• Monitor and review accounts receivable and payable activity in collaboration with the accounting team, applying financial adjustments as required and ensuring alignment with company policies and cash-flow objectives.
• Lead the annual budgeting and forecasting process, including variance analysis and scenario planning.

Process Improvement & Internal Controls

• Support the development and continuous improvement of scalable financial processes, controls, and systems to ensure effectiveness and efficiency as the business continues to grow.
• Ensure compliance with regulatory requirements, tax laws, and corporate policies.
• Work closely with external accountants to facilitate the annual reporting process.

Strategic & Operational Support

• Partner with the CFO to provide financial insights, modeling, and performance analysis that support strategic and operational decision-making.
• Support business planning, cost analysis, and margin optimization.
• Provide ad hoc financial reporting and analysis to support strategic initiatives.
• Work in close partnership with the Accounting Manager and accounting team, providing technical leadership and collaboration to ensure smooth execution of accounting operations, accurate reporting, and strong cross-functional support.
• Work in close partnership with the Accounting Manager and accounting team, providing technical leadership, guidance, and collaboration while supporting smooth day-to-day execution, accurate reporting, and strong cross-functional support.

Finance Technology & Systems

• Provide oversight and input on accounting and finance-related software tools.
• Collaborate on the implementation and integration of systems to support automation and visibility.
  

Qualifications and Skills:

• CPA designation with 5+ years of progressive accounting and finance experience, ideally within a growing business.
• Proven experience managing full-cycle accounting operations and financial reporting in a hands-on, senior-level capacity.
• In-depth understanding of financial statements, budgeting, forecasting, and tax compliance.
• Ability to analyze complex financial data and translate it into clear, actionable insights for non-financial stakeholders.
• Excellent technical acumen and proficiency with ERP systems, advanced Excel skills, and other supplementary reporting tools.
• High attention to detail, strong organizational skills, and a proactive, analytical mindset.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills; comfortable working cross-functionally.
• Demonstrated ability to take ownership of financial outcomes and, over time, help strengthen and scale the finance function in partnership with existing leadership.

Success in This Role Looks Like

• You stay close to the numbers, not out of obligation but because you know that strong financial insight starts with strong accounting fundamentals.
• You don't just ensure the close gets done—you take ownership of the integrity behind it, bringing discipline, judgment, and calm to complex accounting areas and balance sheet management.
• You are comfortable moving between hands-on execution and higher-level analysis, knowing when to dig in personally and when to step back and interpret results for leadership.
• You help leadership understand what's driving the numbers, especially in a business that has grown quickly and is now focused on refinement, consistency, and ownership.
• You bring structure and clarity to financial reporting, strengthening confidence in the results while making them more meaningful and usable for decision-making.
• You see post-growth refinement as an opportunity—tightening processes, strengthening controls, and improving consistency without losing momentum.
• You partner naturally with leaders and department managers, supporting better financial ownership through clear information, thoughtful challenge, and practical insight.
• You lead by example through your engagement, accessibility, and credibility, fostering collaboration, support, and shared accountability across the finance function.

Compensation

• Base salary range will be commensurate with skills and experience, with an expected range aligned to a senior, hands-on Controller role in the Alberta market.

Benefits

· Comprehensive health and dental

• Vision care
• Disability insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• RRSP and TFSA with company matching contributions