Financial Controller

Job Description

Job Description

BETTER MOBILITY FOR LIFE

Savaria is a global leader in accessibility and patient care products, designing and building wheelchair lifts, stairlifts, elevators for home and commercial applications, medical beds, therapeutic surfaces, ceiling track lifts and patient slings. Savaria employs 2,450 valued associates globally and has 11+ manufacturing facilities to reach markets in North America, Europe, Australia, and Asia .

Job Summary

The Financial Controller is a senior leadership role responsible for leading all accounting and financial operations for a business specializing in the construction, installation, and elevator service markets. The Financial Controller serves as a key financial partner to the Branch Manager, helping drive the successful execution and profitability of projects while maintaining strong financial discipline in a public-company environment.

This is a high-impact, hands-on role responsible for ensuring accurate and timely financial reporting, maintaining compliance with corporate and audit requirements, and supporting the overall performance of the business.

This position is in a division that operates as a U.S. branch of a Canadian publicly traded company, requiring strict adherence to corporate reporting standards, internal controls, and accelerated monthly close timelines.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Lead all accounting operations, including accounts payable, accounts receivable, payroll, and general ledger
• Maintain accurate job costing and WIP (Work-in-Progress) schedules across construction and installation projects
• Support financial tracking, reporting, and profitability analysis for service and maintenance operations
• Perform monthly, quarterly, and year-end close processes while meeting strict corporate close deadlines and reporting requirements
• Prepare and submit timely and accurate reporting packages to the Canadian parent company
• Prepare monthly sales and use tax returns.
• Ensure compliance with GAAP, IFRS considerations, corporate policies, internal controls, and audit requirements
• Coordinate with corporate finance and external auditors to support audits and reporting requirements
• Monitor cash flow and support budgeting, forecasting, and financial planning
• Supervise and support a lean accounting team (one staff accountant and administrative support)
• Partner closely with the Branch Manager and leadership team to:
  • Support daily operational decision-making
  • Monitor project performance, margins, and service profitability
  • Assist with cost control, forecasting, and financial planning
  • Serve as a key partner in driving the successful execution of projects
  • Serve as a key resource for project financial tracking and act as a partner to operations in supporting the successful execution of projects across a high volume of active jobs
• Review, interpret, and support execution of construction contracts, subcontracts, and change orders
• Identify financial risks within contracts and ensure proper execution through billing and the project lifecycle
• Ensure alignment between contract terms, billing practices, and project financial performance
• Oversee and support AIA billings and project invoicing processes

Competencies

Job Cost Controls

• Budget development and monitoring
• Variance analysis (labor, materials, equipment, overhead)
• Productivity tracking and margin preservation
• Early identification of cost overruns and risks

P&L and Margin Management

• Gross margin analysis by project and division
• Overhead allocation and recovery
• Forecast accuracy and profitability improvement

Equipment & Asset Management

• Equipment capitalization, depreciation, and utilization analysis
• Lease vs. buy evaluations

Financial Modeling & Forecasting

• Rolling forecasts and backlog analysis
• Scenario modeling for cash flow, labor, and project risk

Behavioral & Professional Competencies

• High attention to detail with strong business judgment
• Integrity and accountability in high‑risk environments
• Ability to operate in fast‑paced, deadline‑driven settings
• Strong problem‑solving and decision‑making skills
• Adaptability to changing project scopes and market conditions

Behaviors

Savaria’s mission is to provide products to improve mobility and access in daily life, so it’s important that all associates embrace this and ensure that they keep our customers at the heart of everything they do, acting in the spirit of our Savaria values all the time:

• Safety – We are committed to protecting the health and well-being of customers, the public, and our people.
• Quality – We aspire to deliver quality products and services that are right the first time.
• Customer passion – What we do makes a difference, and we work with passion to do the best for our customers.
• Collaboration – We encourage collaboration to generate ideas and innovation and value clear and open communication to create strong teamwork.
• Expertise – Our knowledge and experience have made us industry leaders, and we actively support continuous learning for future growth.

Qualifications

• University/College degree in Accounting/Finance
• CPA designation a plus
• Hands on accounting / finance working experience a plus
• STRONG construction accounting experience REQUIRED
  • Job costing
  • WIP reporting
  • Percentage-of-completion accounting
• Strong understanding of GAAP and IRFS
• Advanced Microsoft Excel skills required
• Proven experience managing month-end close processes with strict corporate deadlines
• Ability to consistently meet accelerated reporting timelines and requirements
• Experience with AIA billing and construction invoicing processes
• Strong experience reviewing and executing construction contracts and understanding project financial risk
• Demonstrated maturity, sound judgment, and ability to operate as a business partner to operations

Preferred

• CPA or CPA candidate
• Experience in a public company or corporate reporting environment
• Familiarity with IFRS
• Experience preparing or supporting reporting packages for a parent company or corporate consolidation
• Experience with construction or service-based ERP systems

Work Environment

• Full-time, in-office position
• Fast-paced, deadline-driven environment
• Lean team structure with broad responsibilities
• Regular interaction with the Branch Manager, leadership team, project managers, service teams, and corporate finance
• Direct exposure to public company reporting and corporate finance processes

Pay Range: $110K+ USD

Note: Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time, with or without notice.

Savaria provides equal employment opportunities and consideration to all qualified employees and applicants, including disabled individuals and veterans.