Controller, Operations

The Organization

LGM Financial Services is a national leader in providing warranty, finance and insurance services to the Canadian automotive industry. LGM brings innovation, quality, service and profitability to its dealer partners through a full suite of products and services distributed in a cutting-edge, ethical and transparent manner. Since 1998, LGM has been successfully supplying quality products backed by leading training and now supports over 1,200 Canadian franchised new car dealerships. Dealer partnerships are complimented with the strong backing and support of their automotive manufacturing brands, which include BMW/MINI, Kia, Mazda, Volvo, Jaguar/Land Rover Range Rover, Mitsubishi Motors, Polestar and Motorrad.

The Job 

The Controller, Operations will manage, mentor and lead the operational accounting team of AP and AR and Claims functions.  This role will be focused on the daily operational accounting function with an emphasis on process optimization while leading a high-performance team.  This role will work closely in partnership with the Corporate Controller who will be leading the accounting team.  You excel in managing a large team while ensuring accurate controls are in place to drive the vision of the business. 

Key Responsibilities: 

Operations & Leadership 

• Lead and foster a culture of teamwork, integrity, and curiosity throughout the team to deepen relationships across the organization and leverage systems, and knowledge 
• Own and oversee all aspects of the accounting function, including general ledger management, accounts payable/receivable, claims settlement, payroll, tax filings, etc.  
• Supervise and mentor a team of 9 accounting professionals. 
• Responsible for ME close process ensuring accuracy and completeness of journal entries posted 
• Maintain accurate books and records for each entity 
• Collaborate with other team leads including:  
  • Corporate Controller to design and enhance financial processes and internal controls; to complete the reconciliation process for the GL accounts 
  • Director of FP&A to enhance financial reporting capabilities 
  • VP of Strategic Finance on treasury and analysis 
• Work together with various department heads to ensure accurate and timely financial reporting. 
• Review internally prepared financial statements to ensure accuracy and completeness of journal entries 
• Coordination and payment of quarterly dealer incentive payouts 

Cash Flow & Financial Management 

• Review agreements to identify key accounting, tax, reporting, cash flow, and insurance considerations 
• Manage treasury ensuring timely transfer of funds to wealth management accounts  

Digital Transformation & Process Improvement 

• Optimize the functionality of the ERP system, SAGE Intact, for the accounting function  
• Recommend and implement best practices for modernization and efficiency of accounting processes 
• Participate in weekly UAT working group for the implementation of new products and initiatives to determine the accounting impact and process changes needed to ensure the successful launches 
• Create new GL accounts to support effective reconciliation and transparency 
• Integrate Concur expense accounts with GL expense accounts, ensuring seamless data flow and accuracy, and implement an effective integration with Sage for improved expense management  

Leadership Competencies: 

Self-Management – Is authentic and open with others about their own emotions and feelings, and uses this honesty to build trust and inspire others around them. 

Results Focused - Pursues continuous improvement in areas of responsibility that enables sequentially higher goals to be set for their team. 

Effective Communicator – Communicates succinctly, ensuring that verbal and non-verbal communications are aligned to avoid confusion, and maintains a propensity to listen to others to ensure clear and thorough understanding before action. 

Empowers and Coaches Others – Manages by objectives vs. command/control, coaching individuals to reflect on performance, set goals, and identify/implement actions to achieve them, and foster innovation and creativity to reach for increasingly more difficult goals. 

Collaboration and Influence - Builds effective working relationships, partnerships and collaborative endeavors within their department and with other departments. 

Builds Teams – Builds teams with diverse skills, styles, and backgrounds and encourages constructive debate to make the best decisions required for their purpose. 

Innovation and Change Leadership - Knows critical factors of success in their functional area and foresees the impact of change and how it adds value. Identifies and harnesses new opportunities for improvement in their own area, proactively challenging the status quo, and leverages short-term wins to galvanize change efforts. 

Strategic Orientation - Knows the market well enough to identify and share emerging changes with their team. 

Required Skills: 

• Proficient with MS Office product suite and excellent computer skills. 
• Proven ability to support the team and help where/when needed - a hands-on approach. 
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills. 
• Present and speak at departmental and management meetings. 
• Highly collaborative and facilitative leadership style vs. hierarchy and controlling. 
• Treats confidentiality of information with the utmost of respect. 
• Demonstrate ability to complete tasks under strict deadlines. 
• Ability to multi-task 
• Ability to work well under pressure and in an environment of change. 
• Well organized and able to maintain accurate and timely records. 
• Experience in coaching and mentoring other staff members 

Education: 

• Post-secondary degree in Accounting/Finance or related discipline. 
• CPA Designation 

Experience: 

• Advanced accounting and software knowledge. 
• 2 - 3 years audit experience 
• 7+ years people management experience. 
• 2 - 3 years of tax related experience 
• 7+ years relevant experience in a professional corporate work environment in finance/accounting 
• Insurance industry experience (asset) 

What We Offer:

• A competitive compensation package, including a comprehensive health benefits plan, Group RRSP, performance bonus, health and wellness benefits, and education sponsorship.  
• Four paid days annually to "give back" to the community, along with your birthday off.  
• A vehicle rebate program of up to $400 per month.  
• Hybrid work model. 
• Base Salary: $130,000-$145,000 per year