Controller job description template

Position Identification Details

1. Position Summary

The Controller directs the daily financial, accounting, and payroll operations for [ORGANIZATION_NAME]. The position ensures all financial statements, statutory filings, and management reports are accurate, compliant, and delivered on schedule. Working directly with [OWNER_OR_MANAGER], the Controller maintains the general ledger, manages working capital, designs internal controls, and oversees year-end closing processes. This role serves as the primary accounting authority within the organization, converting raw transactional data into actionable financial intelligence to support operational decisions.

2. Key Responsibilities

2.1 Financial Reporting and Month-End Close (20%)

• Execute the complete month-end and year-end financial close process within [N_BUSINESS_DAYS] business days following period end.
• Prepare monthly financial statements, including balance sheet, income statement, and cash flow statement, in accordance with applicable accounting standards.
• Reconcile all balance sheet accounts, bank statements, prepaid expenses, and accrual schedules monthly to verify ledger integrity.
• Deliver monthly budget-to-actual variance reports and operational financial summaries directly to [REPORTS_TO_TITLE].

2.2 General Ledger and Daily Accounting Operations (15%)

• Oversee and verify daily transaction postings across accounts payable, accounts receivable, inventory, and job costing modules.
• Maintain the chart of accounts in the accounting software and enforce standardized transaction coding across all business functions.
• Review and approve accounts payable payment batches, ensuring proper invoice matching, general ledger coding, and approval authority.
• Monitor accounts receivable aging reports, resolve customer billing discrepancies, and coordinate collection efforts on overdue accounts.

2.3 Cash Management and Banking (15%)

• Track daily bank balances, operating line availability, and cash positions across all corporate financial accounts.
• Prepare a rolling 4-week cash flow forecast to predict liquidity requirements and support operational purchasing decisions.
• Execute electronic fund transfers, wire payments, and cheque disbursements under established signing authority policies.
• Administer merchant processing accounts, credit card programmes, and banking service relationships under the direction of [OWNER_OR_MANAGER].

2.4 Payroll, Benefits, and Statutory Remittances (15%)

• Process or verify bi-weekly payroll in [PAYROLL_SYSTEM], ensuring accurate gross-to-net calculations, deductions, and taxable benefit tracking.
• Calculate, file, and remit statutory source deductions, provincial payroll taxes, Workers' Compensation premiums, and sales taxes (GST/HST/PST) before statutory deadlines.
• Generate and distribute annual tax slips (T4/T4A) and file year-end statutory summaries with the Canada Revenue Agency and provincial revenue bodies.
• Maintain confidential payroll records, record employment changes in [HRIS_NAME], and issue Records of Employment within required timeframes.

2.5 Internal Controls, Governance, and Risk Management (10%)

• Design, implement, and maintain internal accounting controls to safeguard corporate assets and reduce fraud risk.
• Review operational spending against approved authorization limits, flagging unauthorized variances to [REPORTS_TO_TITLE].
• Coordinate commercial insurance renewals, maintain asset registers, and track capital asset depreciation schedules.
• Document standard operating procedures for all accounting, invoicing, billing, and inventory control workflows.

2.6 Budgeting, Forecasting, and Operational Analysis (10%)

• Coordinate the annual budgeting cycle with [REPORTS_TO_TITLE], compiling departmental expense estimates and revenue projections.
• Analyze product, project, or service margins to identify cost overruns and operational inefficiencies.
• Develop financial models to evaluate capital expenditures, equipment leasing options, and supplier pricing changes.
• Track non-financial operational metrics alongside financial data to assess labour productivity and inventory turnover.

2.7 Audit, Tax, and External Compliance (10%)

• Prepare comprehensive year-end working paper files and supporting schedules for external public accountants.
• Act as the lead operational liaison for external accounting reviews, compilation engagements (CSRS 4200), and tax audits.
• Ensure compliance with federal and provincial tax statutes, corporate filing requirements, and business licence obligations.
• Monitor changes in Canadian accounting standards and tax regulations that impact operational bookkeeping practices.

2.8 Team Supervision and Operational Support (5%)

• Direct, train, and evaluate accounting clerks, bookkeepers, or administrative staff assigned to financial duties.
• Allocate daily transactional workloads, conduct periodic accuracy spot-checks, and manage staff coverage schedules.
• Provide financial system training and support to non-financial operational supervisors across [ORGANIZATION_NAME].

3. Qualifications & Experience

Role Qualifications and Requirements

(Note: Hiring standards and selection criteria must align with inclusive employment practices and human rights legislation.)

4. Competencies

Core Competencies and Behavioural Indicators

5. Working Conditions & Performance Measures

5.1 Working Conditions and Physical Demands

The physical and environmental demands described below represent those required to perform the essential functions of this role successfully. Reasonable accommodation will be evaluated and provided in accordance with applicable human rights legislation.

Physical, Environmental, and Cognitive Demands

5.2 Performance Measures

Performance will be assessed against clear operational and financial objectives established annually with [REPORTS_TO_TITLE].

Key Performance Indicators and Evaluation Standards

5.3 Career Pathways

This role is aligned with occupational taxonomies established under the National Occupational Classification and related workforce frameworks.

• Typical Prior Roles: Senior Accountant, Accounting Manager, Assistant Controller, Full-Charge Bookkeeper, Financial Analyst.
• Typical Next Roles: Director of Finance, Vice President of Finance, Chief Financial Officer (CFO), General Manager.

6. Document Acknowledgement

This job description outlines the primary duties, responsibilities, working conditions, and qualifications required for the Controller position at [ORGANIZATION_NAME]. It is not an exhaustive inventory of all duties that may be assigned. Management reserves the right to amend job duties, working schedules, or operational responsibilities with reasonable notice to meet business requirements.

Employee Acknowledgement

I acknowledge that I have received, read, and understood this job description. I confirm that I am able to perform the essential duties of this role, with any accommodation required under applicable human rights legislation.

Employee Name: ________________________________________
Employee Signature: ____________________________________
Date (DD-MMM-YYYY): __________________________________

Manager Approval

Manager Name: ________________________________________
Manager Signature: ____________________________________
Date (DD-MMM-YYYY): __________________________________

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