Controller

Position summary

The Controller is responsible for routine and non-routine processes within OmniaBio’s accounting, statutory financial reporting, and compliance framework. As a senior member of the finance team, the Controller works closely with the senior leadership team, the executive team and Board of Directors supporting OmniaBio’s compliance, risk management and financial reporting requirements. The Controller fosters a culture of service, innovation, and problem-solving for the finance function and leads day-to-day finance operations, directly supervises the finance team (expected to grow over time) and has functional responsibility over financial accounting, accounts payable, accounts receivable, banking/treasury, and tax compliance. The Controller provides stewardship over organizational resources and organization-wide procedures for financial reporting and internal controls. The successful candidate will be a well-organized individual who can set and manage various stakeholders’ expectations and is able to drive continuous improvements and best practices in a fast-paced environment.

Key responsibilities

The employee’s services include, but are not limited to, the following:

1. Establish finance department goals and objectives, developing short- and long-term plans, while monitoring and evaluating the progress in achieving these plans.
2. Direct the preparation of the monthly financial statements with focus on continuous improvement to reduce the close cycle time and advance the internal control framework.
3. Develop meaningful, accurate, and timely financial reports and presentations to fulfill senior management, Board and Board Committee requirements. Complete monthly and quarterly financial reporting to the Board of Directors.
4. Provide accounting-related support services to the business units and departments at OmniaBio in support of their business objectives.
5. Manage the timely and accurate completion of routine and ad-hoc regulatory, government, granting agency, or other stakeholder reporting, as required.
6. Manage the annual financial statement process and external audit, including drafting of financial statements and review of all audit schedules and samples of documents selected for testing.
7. Benchmark and evaluate finance operations to ensure the controls, processes and tools are among the best practice/cutting edge; identify gaps and recommend strategy and roadmap to CFO.
8. Drive continuous process improvements and strategic initiatives to ensure efficient use of resources and effective use of technology, advances and executes a transformative IT strategy.
9. Maintain the integrity and efficiency of OmniaBio’s general ledger structure. Add to and edit charts of accounts to support reporting requirements and tracking of costs and financial performance.
10. Design and optimize accounting and resource structure reflecting activities, reporting obligations and tax considerations.
11. Review and advise on all required customer invoicing as required; oversee the accounts receivable function.
12. Review the input of purchase invoices into the system to ensure accuracy, validity, completeness, and timeliness; oversee the accounts payable function.
13. Strategically manage debt and financing to ensure all contractual & compliance requirements are met.
14. Manage and control banking and treasury activities at OmniaBio. Make or review bank deposits and ensure posting of all cash transactions. Prepare or review weekly cash flow forecast and work with corporate bankers to recommend transfers to and from investment accounts to ensure optimal use of funds.
15. Organize periodic inventory counts and provide guidance to inventory/lab managers, as needed; ensure proper accounting for inventory, if material.
16. Review transactions and balances in the capital assets sub-ledger, including calculation and posting of monthly amortization, write-off assets on disposition.
17. Review commodity tax (HST) returns and related remittances; correspond with CRA.
18. Review or prepare/post month-end accruals and adjusting entries in accordance with GAAP.
19. Review bank and other account reconciliations.
20. Act as a key liaison with OmniaBio’s IT, payroll, HR, and employee benefits service providers.
21. Maintain Accounting team by supporting recruiting, selecting, orienting, and on-boarding of employees.
22. Provide training, development, and performance feedback to Accounting staff.
23. Ensure optimal internal controls and appropriate financial policies, procedures and metrics are in place to deliver quality service and effectively monitor the use of resources.
24. Assess financial risks and risk mitigation; research and consider accounting policies, design and document accounting policies, processes, and internal controls.
25. Ensure proper electronic and paper file management, including corporate agreements.
26. Oversee the accounting and reporting for employee stock options or other incentive plans and company’s capitalization table.
27. Assist the CFO in support of corporate finance and government grant activities.
28. Work collaboratively with and effectively communicate financial matters to diverse groups both within and external to OmniaBio, including participation in enterprise-wide projects/initiatives.
29. Maintain professional and technical knowledge by attending educational workshops; reviewing professional publications; establishing personal networks; participating in professional institute activities.
30. Other Accounting and Finance support activities, as required.

Qualifications

1. Bachelor’s degree in business or accounting discipline
2. Designated CPA
3. 10+ years of full-cycle accounting experience, preferably within a CDMO or life sciences organization, with increasing levels of responsibility
4. 5+ years of supervisory experience
5. Proficient with the Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, Outlook)
6. Experience with ERP systems, SAP a plus

Desired Characteristics

1. Well organized
2. Exceptional communication skills with the ability to articulate complex financial issues
3. High ethical standards
4. Strong service orientation
5. Ability to understand complex issues and financial linkages in applying knowledge
6. Ability to manage shifting priorities and meet deadlines in a dynamic environment
7. Analytical and insightful
8. Problem solver
9. Diligent and accurate in preparing deliverables
10. Confident in approach
11. Active listener
12. High integrity and transparency
13. Collaborative, team player
14. Values diversity and being respectful of others