Controller in Markham

Student Works is a Canadian family business operating since 1981.

We help university students build and run home-services businesses in painting, window cleaning, and exterior restoration.

With system-wide sales of approximately $45 million and a newly established advisory board, the company is entering a planned growth phase: more operators, a new division, and preparing for the next stage of leadership.

The Opportunity

This is Student Works' first Controller role and an opportunity to shape the finance function as the business grows.

You will work directly with the CEO, ownership, the advisory board, and the next generation of leaders to assess investments, support expansion, and strengthen the systems behind an established franchise model.

For someone who wants to grow beyond a traditional Controller remit, the role offers potential to take on broader finance leadership, including a path toward Director of Finance as the business expands.

Key Responsibilities

• Accounting leadership and controls
• Lead, coach, and develop the accounting team. Set priorities and capacity as transaction volumes grow and oversee day-to-day accounting operations.
• Review monthly financial statements and key journal entries; approve non-routine entries and adjustments.

Own invoice and spending approvals within delegated limits, strengthen internal controls and separation of duties, and document scalable finance processes.

• Planning, reporting, and business analysis
• Partner with the CEO and department leaders on the annual budget.

Build and maintain the detailed forecast for the fiscal year ending March 31, updating it quarterly across revenue, payroll, and operating costs for all divisions.

• Own cash-flow forecasting and seasonal liquidity planning.

Assess summer cash surpluses and coordinate significant purchase timing and input tax credits with the external accounting firm.

• Prepare monthly management reports with variance analysis and clear commentary, plus quarterly financial packages for the advisory board.
• Model growth and investment scenarios; analyze division margins, royalty structures, and coach compensation plans to support business decisions.
• Tax, payroll, and compliance
• Lead the March 31 year-end with the external accounting firm, including corporate income tax and tax planning.

Manage intercompany flows in line with established structures and maintain banking relationships.

• Oversee employee payroll and coach payroll, including commission calculations, payout accuracy, and regular communication with coaches about their compensation.
• Oversee timely government filings and remittances across jurisdictions, including HST, QST, EHT, WSIB, CNESST, payroll, and corporate income tax.
• Systems
• Safeguard the custom CRM-accounting platform, including operator payout accuracy and system-to-ledger balancing, and identify process improvements as the business grows.

What You Bring

• CPA designation and progressive accounting experience, including team leadership; prior Controller experience or readiness to step into a first Controller role.
• Experience in a private, owner-managed or multi-entity business. Franchise, royalty-based, or multi-unit experience is an asset.
• Strong knowledge of ASPE, Canadian tax and payroll requirements, and multi-province sales tax and government remittances; familiarity with Quebec requirements is valuable.
• Confident budgeting, forecasting, and financial-modelling skills, with the judgment to turn analysis into practical business recommendations.
• A hands-on, collaborative approach and the ability to communicate effectively with accounting staff, executives, ownership, and board members.
• Tech savvy with integrated accounting and CRM systems, automation, and thoughtful use of AI
• Excellent communication skills in English, French is considered an asset.
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