Financial Controller, North America

Reports to: Head of Financial Control Location: Montreal Status: Permanent Job purpose: The Financial Controller (North America) is responsible for overseeing all local statutory reporting , management reporting , and financial control activities for the Foundation’s entities in North America (currently US and Canada). The role ensures that month‑end close, year‑end audit, and all compliance obligations are delivered accurately, on time, and to a high standard. This role plays a critical part in strengthening financial governance, ensuring reporting accuracy, and driving operational excellence across multiple jurisdictions.

A key focus is to optimise, standardise, and automate financial control processes to enhance internal controls, reduce manual effort, and support timely, high‑quality reporting. The Financial Controller will design and monitor SLAs and KPIs to ensure consistent delivery across the region.

Requirements

Manage the month‑end close process for all four entities, ensuring accuracy, completeness, and timely delivery. Produce accurate monthly and quarterly management reporting packs, including variance analysis and commentary. Support group consolidation activities through accurate local submissions and reconciliations.

Assist the Global Tax Manager with the preparation and coordination of GST/QST rebate claims, ensuring accuracy and timely submission. Support ongoing correspondence with Canadian tax authorities, including responding to queries, tracking notices, and maintaining documentation. Manage and maintain online tax platforms, ensuring filings, submissions and records are kept up to date.

Provide support to the Global Tax Manager on local tax compliance matters as they arise. Audit Compliance Lead the annual external audit process for each entity, ensuring all schedules are prepared, queries resolved, and deadlines met.

, tax regulations, company law, and internal finance policies. Maintain strong financial controls and ensure all reconciliations, journals, and processes adhere to audit and governance standards. Process Optimisation Automation Identify opportunities to streamline, automate, and standardise reporting and control processes across countries.

Work with Finance Systems, IT, and global finance colleagues to enhance ERP usage, reporting tools, and workflow efficiency. Implement consistent documentation, templates, and control frameworks across the region. Operational Performance SLA Management Define and maintain SLAs and KPIs covering reporting timeliness, accuracy, audit readiness, and control performance.

Monitor delivery performance across entities and implement corrective actions where required. Provide regular reporting to senior leadership on performance, risks, and improvement initiatives. Stakeholder Cross‑Functional Collaboration Collaborate closely with FP A, Tax, Treasury, HR, Finance Operations, and global finance leads to ensure cohesive financial management.

Act as the key finance contact for in‑country teams, external advisors, regulators, and auditors. Provide technical accounting advice and operational support to local teams and business partners.

Qualifications

, knowledge experience:

Fully qualified accountant (ACA, ACCA, CIMA or international equivalent). Degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field preferred. Proficiency in English is required for this role, as it is essential for effective communication with colleagues, stakeholders, and clients in the performance of the core duties of this position.

Knowledge experience Proven experience in a Financial Controller or senior financial reporting role covering multi‑entity or multi‑country operations.