IMMEDIATE INTERIM OPPORTUNITY

Interim Financial Controller

Reports To: Chief Financial Officer

Duration: 3 months

100% Virtual

Our client, a high-profile higher educational organization, is looking for an experienced finance professional as they navigate through a period of transition. The interim will stabilize day‑to‑day operations, lead and mentor the accounting team, and own the year‑end close and audit. This hands‑on leader will strengthen internal controls, standardize processes, and ensure accurate, timely financial reporting aligned to Canadian public sector/not‑for‑profit accounting standards (PSAS or sector‑applicable standards) and Ontario Broader Public Sector requirements.

Key Outcomes:

30 Days – Stabilize & Set Plan

• Establish trust and clear routines with the team; confirm roles, capacity, and immediate support needs.
• Publish a condensed close calendar for the remainder of the term (month‑end and year‑end milestones, dependencies, and owners).
• Confirm accounting policy positions for complex areas (revenue recognition, restricted funds, capital assets, accruals/provisions, leases) and align with auditor expectations.
• Triage critical issues (backlogs, reconciliations, aging items, compliance filings) and start burn‑down plan.

60 Days – Execute & De‑Risk

• Run a disciplined month‑end: complete reconciliations, variance analysis, and management reporting on time.
• Own the year‑end prep: audit PBC list, lead schedules, working papers, and consolidation package; pre‑clear technical matters.
• Coach and upskill the team: SOPs, checklists, and cross‑training to reduce single‑point dependencies.
• Close key process gaps (e.g., cut‑off, capitalization, amortization, deferred revenue, grants, scholarships/bursaries, HST).

90 Days – Deliver & Transition

• Deliver a clean audit: coordinate fieldwork, respond to queries, and drive timely sign‑off with the Audit Committee/Board.
• Hand over a documented controller playbook: policies, calendars, templates, and risk/issue log with mitigations.
• Recommend future‑state resourcing, org design, and quick‑wins for process/technology (e.g., workflow, reconciliations, dashboards).

Core Responsibilities:

Team Leadership & Transition Management

• Provide calm, visible leadership; mentor managers/analysts and rebuild engagement through clear priorities and feedback.
• Clarify RACI for close, reporting, payroll, AP/AR, capital, and cash management; implement SOPs and checklists.
• Manage capacity: redistribute workload, backfill gaps (temporary resources if needed), and drive cross‑training.

Year‑End Close & External Audit

• Own the full year‑end timetable and deliverables (trial balance lock, lead sheets, working papers, roll‑forwards, and notes).
• Prepare or review complex areas (tangible capital assets, deferred contributions, endowments/restricted funds, revenue recognition, leases).
• Serve as primary liaison to external auditors: schedule, PBC tracker, issues log, and status reporting to the CFO/VP Finance and Audit Committee.
• Ensure compliance with PSAS(or applicable sector standards) and college policies; draft financial statement notes and MD&A support.

Financial Operations & Controls

• Oversee month‑end accuracy and timeliness: journals, reconciliations, interfund/intercompany entries, accruals, provisions.
• Strengthen internal controls (segregation of duties, approvals, reconciliations, access controls) and remediate audit findings.
• Ensure compliance on HST, payroll remittances, T4/T4A and information returns, and applicable Ontario BPS directives and college policies.
• Maintain cash management and forecasting, monitor banking, investments, and covenant or policy compliance.

Management Reporting & Stakeholder Support

• Deliver clear monthly packages (financials, variances, KPIs, restricted funds, capital, cash) to the executive team.
• Support budget/forecast updates and provide insight into enrollment, grants, ancillary operations, and cost containment.
• Present updates to leadership and the Audit & Finance Committee; flag risks early with pragmatic mitigation plans.

Competencies and Requirements:

• CPA (CA/CMA/CGA/CPA) with 10+ years of progressive accounting leadership; prior controller (or higher) experience.
• Demonstrated success leading teams through transition and delivering on‑time year‑end audits in public sector, higher‑ed, or complex not‑for‑profit environments.
• Strong technical command of PSAS (or relevant college sector accounting standards), internal controls, and external audit requirements.
• Hands‑on experience with ERP/financial systems and advanced Excel; comfort with data integrity, reconciliations, and schedule preparation.
• Clear, confident communicator able to brief executives and Boards; proven ability to coach and develop staff.
• Asset(s): Ontario Broader Public Sector practices (e.g., procurement directives, accountability), unionized environments, capital projects, grants/funding nuances, ancilla