Financial Controller​/Accounting Manager; Manufacturing​/Life Science

Our direct client is looking to bring on a Hands‑on Financial Controller for a current position, full‑time direct hire in Mississauga, ON Canada area. This is a start‑up manufacturing company in the life sciences industry or food FDA raw material sector.

The role combines Cost Accounting, Controller, and Accounting Manager responsibilities.

• Design and implement standard costing and BOM costing structures within the new ERP, in coordination with operations and procurement.
• Own WIP tracking, COGS accounting, inventory valuation, and overhead allocation as we transition from R&D to production.
• Maintain perpetual inventory records, support cycle count processes, and reconcile physical inventory to the general ledger.
• Track job costs and material consumption against contract budgets, with particular focus on instrument delivery programs.
• Ensure accurate capitalization and expensing of production costs in line with ASP standards.
• Prepare and distribute monthly manufacturing variance reports (purchase price, usage, labor, and overhead) with clear root‑cause analysis.
• Partner with operations to investigate and explain cost variances and support corrective action where needed.
• Provide cost data and analysis to support management decision‑making, budgeting, and forecasting.
• Serve as the finance partner on costing and inventory modules within the ERP.
• Define costing methodology, item master structure, and reporting hierarchies in the new system.
• Document and test costing processes end‑to‑end prior to go‑live; support adoption post‑launch.
• Lead the monthly close process end‑to‑end: prepare and review journal entries, complete account reconciliations, and ensure the trial balance is clean and on schedule.
• Oversee and review the work of the AP Manager and Junior Finance Operations Associate, providing day‑to‑day guidance and ensuring accuracy across payables, receivables, and bookkeeping.
• Lead monthly bank reconciliations and daily cash‑position reporting across banking relationships.
• Identify and implement process improvements across accounting operations as the company scales from startup to active manufacturer.
• Support external audit and SR&ED tax‑credit documentation for manufacturing‑related eligible expenditures.
• Assist with HST/GST filings, payroll source deductions, and other tax compliance requirements as needed.

• Minimum 6 years of progressive accounting experience, with at least 2 years in a dedicated cost accounting capacity within a manufacturing environment.
• Hands‑on experience with standard costing, COGS accounting, BOM costing, WIP accounting, and inventory valuation.
• Strong knowledge of ASPE and/or US GAAP as it applies to inventory and cost of goods sold.
• Experience working inside a manufacturing ERP (e.g., Net Suite, SAP Business One, Epicor, or similar); ERP implementation experience is a must.
• CPA designation or active enrollment in the CPA PEP program, on track to completion.
• Advanced Excel proficiency and comfort working with large data sets.
• Experience building a manufacturing cost accounting function from the ground up is highly preferred.
• Life sciences industry experience required (pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, medical devices, diagnostics, or IVD).
• Prior exposure to pre‑revenue or early‑commercial‑stage companies.
• Experience in contract manufacturing or milestone‑based delivery environments.

Salary range: $135,000 – $155,000 plus RSU. Compensation will be determined based on the individual’s experience, education, training, and certifications.