Job Description

Gerrie Electric is one of the largest independent electrical distributors, with 24 key Ontario locations and over 400 employees. We are a proud family owned, Canadian company and are headquartered in Burlington, ON. We are proud to be a Platinum Club winner of Canada's Best Managed Companies. Having been in business since 1957, we are an established and well-respected company in the industry.

Culture

Our core purpose is passionately helping customers be more successful by delivering exceptional experiences. We strive for an inspiring culture and integrity in all that we do. Customer First- Employee Driven.


Our success is powered by our people. We invest in the training & development of our employees and encourage career growth across all areas. We celebrate success and show recognition for a job well done.


We believe a more diverse and inclusive environment brings strength to our organization, helps our customers to succeed and creates a significant competitive edge.

What you will be doing

The Controller is responsible for overseeing all accounting operations within an organization. This includes managing financial reporting, internal controls, compliance, budgeting, and finance team leadership. The role ensures the accuracy of financial data and supports strategic decision-making.

LEADERSHIP

Provide day-to-day leadership for your staff/team.


Mentor and coach employees to do their best work.


Represent the company values and lead by example.


Create a positive inclusive culture that motivates employees to meet their goals.


Collaborate with Human Resources to interview, hire, train, motivate, reward, discipline, address complaints and resolve employee problems.


Ensure onboarding programs are effectively completed in the required time by all employees newly hired or transitioning into a new role.


Responsible for employee learning and development providing comprehensive job training, tools, and knowledge to serve our customers, achieve goals and meet company objectives. This includes ensuring the required training hours per employee are met.


Conduct the annual performance evaluation process with each employee and identify training and career path progression in conjunction with Human Resources.


Create and maintain a team atmosphere and ensure employee concerns are resolved promptly.


Manage and direct the Accounting Manager, General Accountant, Cash Application Administrator, the Receptionist and other staff as required.

Financial Management

Oversee day-to-day accounting operations, including accounts payable, general ledger management, bank reconciliations and cheque/EFT/ACH payment runs.


Lead and direct the financial reporting for the company, including daily, weekly, monthly, and annual reporting.


Review and approve journal entries, reconciliations, and month-end close procedures.


Ensure adherence to generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) and compliance with all local, provincial, and federal regulations.


Coordinate and manage the annual audit process, working closely with external auditors to ensure timely and accurate reporting.


Review, analyze, and investigate financial statement variances (vs prior year, budget or forecast) and provide insight and explanations for differences and discrepancies.


Streamline and automate the financial reporting through process improvements and the use of Power BI and other technologies.

Budgeting & Forecasting

Lead the budgeting and forecasting process, collaborating with departmental heads to ensure financial goals are aligned with business objectives.


Monitor performance against budget, providing regular financial analysis and variance reporting to senior management.


Advise on cost control, profitability improvement initiatives, and pricing strategies.

Multi-Branch Oversight

Consolidate financial data from multiple branches, ensuring accurate reporting and financial analysis for each location.


Implement standardized financial reporting practices across all branches, ensuring consistency and reliability of data.


Analyze branch-level performance, identifying key trends and areas for improvement.

Internal Controls & Compliance

Develop and enforce strong internal controls to safeguard company assets, minimize risks, and prevent fraud.


Maintain compliance with all tax filings, financial regulations, and reporting requirements at the federal, state, and local levels.


Work with legal, tax and accounting advisors to ensure proper handling of all tax and regulatory matters.

Technology & Systems Management

Lead and participate in projects to optimize financial processes and reporting, incorporating automation and data analytics where possible.

COMMUNICATION

Communicate clearly and concisely both orally and in writing.


Establish and maintain positive collaborative relationships with customers.

TEAMWORK AND COLLABORATION

Create and maintain a team atmosphere and ensure employee concerns are resolved promptly.

PROBLEM SOLVING

Be able to recommend creative solutions to various issues that may arise.

QUALITY

Ensure employees understand and adhere to ISO policies and procedures.

PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT

Participate in conferences, seminars, and other educational opportunities; reading professional publications; maintain and participate in professional networks to enhance your knowledge and skills.


Participates on committees and special projects as requested.

What you bring to the table

Degree or Diploma in Accounting, Finance, or Business Administration.


CPA designation preferred


7+ years of experience in accounting or finance, with at least 3 years in a supervisory or managerial role, preferably in a wholesale distribution or manufacturing environment.


Experience with multi-branch or multi-entity financial management.


Strong understanding of GAAP and financial reporting.


Knowledge of inventory management, cost accounting, and pricing strategies within a distribution environment.


Experience with large ERP systems (JD Edwards experience is an asset) and financial reporting tools.


Excellent communication skills and the ability to work with others easily.


Proficient in MS Office (especially Excel)


Excellent analytical and investigative skills with high attention to detail


Strong problem-solving skills.


The ability to prioritize and manage multiple tasks, with the ability to set and meet deadlines.

We believe in taking care of our people

Major medical + dental coverage for yourself and your dependents (flex plan options available)


Employee Assistance Program


Global travel coverage


Pension plan with contribution matching


Training, development and career growth opportunities


Tuition re-imbursement program


Promote from within culture


A diverse and inclusive workplace


Caring and nurturing environment

Words that our employees use to describe us

Inclusive, team-oriented, motivating, happy, forward thinking, innovative, successful!

* Flexible interview options are available!