Controller — Equipment Division
Summary
Total Power Limited is Canada's leading provider of power generation equipment and services. The Equipment Division manages a complex portfolio of long-term contracts spanning generator projects, ATS installations, start-up services, and maintenance agreements.
We are looking for a technically strong Controller to own the Equipment Division's financial reporting and revenue recognition cycle, while also contributing to the broader controllership responsibilities of the group. The role sits at the intersection of accounting rigour, project economics, and strategic finance — with direct collaboration across Project Management, Sales, and senior Finance leadership.
The right candidate has deep project accounting experience, hands-on POC expertise, and an appetite for improving how the close process works. Familiarity with Microsoft D365 F&O and comfort with data and AI tooling are meaningful differentiators.
What You’ll Do – The Role (Responsibilities)
Revenue Recognition & POC Accounting
- Own the monthly POC calculation across the Equipment Division project portfolio.
- Set the appropriate POC decision for each project each period based on contract terms and project status.
- Maintain the accrual model: expected contract values, forecast cost inputs from Item Requirements and GP reports, and start-up labour estimates.
- Produce and validate all revenue accrual and deferral journal entries in ERP.
- Manage the Equipment Division close calendar; coordinate data pulls from D365 and ensure all inputs are reconciled before the model runs.
- Ensure proper application of vendor rebates to project costs and track volume rebate progress.
Financial Reporting & Consolidation
- Prepare monthly financial statements for the Equipment division, including consolidated statements with full intercompany eliminations.
- Prepare branch and departmental financial statements.
- Provide budget-vs-actual and period-over-period variance commentary.
Business Partnering — Operations & Sales
- Serve as the Finance partner to Equipment Division project management — attend project reviews, challenge margin assumptions, and flag cost or scope changes with financial impact.
- Partner with Sales on contract review, pricing economics, and change order assessment.
- Deliver project-level margin commentary to PMs and sales leaders; surface at-risk projects and recognition issues proactively.
- Collaborate with other business unit leaders to maintain consistent accounting policies across the organisation.
Forecasting & Cash Management
- Lead monthly and quarterly revenue and gross margin forecasts for the Equipment Division.
- Own Equipment Division cash flow forecasting — billing milestones, retention release, receivables ageing, and accrued revenue conversion.
- Flag early signals of margin erosion, billing shortfalls, or cash timing risk.
- Support the annual budget and long-range planning process with bottom-up project-level builds.
Team Leadership & Operational Finance
- Coach and mentor direct reports; conduct regular one-on-ones and support recruitment and performance management.
- Calculate monthly commissions and bonuses for designated staff; post related accruals.
- Manage year-end inventory counts and financial variance adjustments.
- Oversee monthly service WIP reconciliation and fixed asset accounting across the group.
- Ensure internal controls over financial reporting and assets are documented and maintained.
Process Efficiency & Technology
- Continuously improve the POC model and close process to reduce manual effort and shorten cycle time.
- Identify and implement AI and automation opportunities within the finance function.
- Work with D365 and IT to improve data quality at source and reduce offline spreadsheet reliance.
- Identify cost-saving opportunities; maintain a continuous improvement mindset.
Audit Preparedness & External Reporting
- Maintain year-round audit readiness — reconciliations, supporting schedules, and POC documentation always current and defensible.
- Serve as the primary liaison with external auditors for Equipment Division matters.
- Prepare POC audit support packages including contract earned calculations, expected cost substantiation, and management commentary on significant judgements.
- Ensure ASPE compliance across all entities; working knowledge of ASC 606 is an asset given U.S. operations.
What You Need (Requirement)
- CPA designation required; university degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field.
- 5–8+ years of progressive accounting experience, including at least 2–3 years at a controller or senior project accounting level.
- Hands-on POC revenue recognition experience on long-term contracts.
- Background in a project-based or equipment/construction industry strongly preferred.
- Demonstrated command of Microsoft D365 F&O, including the Project Management & Accounting module.
- Experience managing or mentoring a team.
- Bilingual (English/French) is an asset.
Technical skills
- Strong knowledge of ASPE; awareness of ASC 606 is a plus given U.S. operations.
- Proficiency in cost-to-cost POC mechanics — expected cost forecasting, contract earned calculations, WIP accounting, and accrued/deferred revenue treatment.
- Experience with multi-entity consolidation and intercompany accounting.
- Advanced Excel skills; comfortable maintaining large, formula-driven accrual workbooks.
- Open to AI-assisted workflows and data tooling.
- Familiarity with Management Reporter or equivalent D365-integrated reporting tools.
Leadership & interpersonal qualities
- Credible business partner to project managers and sales leaders — conversant in project economics, not just accounting entries.
- Thrives in a fast-moving environment with competing deadlines and multi-entity complexity.
- Translates financial complexity into clear, decision-useful insight for non-finance stakeholders.
- Detail-oriented and control-minded without being inflexible.
- Self-directed; surfaces issues early and follows through.
- High standards of ethics and integrity.
