📍 This position is open to candidates located in Ontario who are willing to commute to the office in Cambridge, Ontario (N1S 2L7), as well as to project locations. This role offers a hybrid schedule with regular in-office presence.
Controller [Freight & Construction]
Who We Are
Pinnacle Logistics Solutions (PLS) is a specialized transportation and logistics company located in Cambridge, Ontario. We specialize in multi-million dollar heavy-haul and breakbulk cargo projects, coordinating 200+ subcontractors daily while managing payloads exceeding 220 tons across wind energy, petrochemical, infrastructure, and defence sectors using multimodal solutions (road, rail, marine, and air)
Our company’s strong values and commitment to corporate social responsibility guarantee that creative & safe cost-cutting solutions are provided to each customer to meet project goals. We specialize in oversized cargo for large multi-year projects, managing the entire transportation and logistics cycles.
The Role
As Controller, you will own the financial engine behind our multi-year heavy-haul and infrastructure projects - from the budget built at bid stage through to the monthly close and the numbers the executive team makes decisions on.
Budgeting sits at the heart of this role. You will build, own and defend project budgets from bid to close, track cost against plan on work involving 200+ subcontractors, and hold the business accountable to the forecast. Alongside that, you will run the accounting function: close, reporting, cash flow, controls and audit, leading a remote team of accountants who report to you.
Working directly with executives, Project Managers and Operations, you will turn the numbers into a clear story that drives profitability and better decisions. Accuracy of the underlying data is central to the role.
What You'll Do
Budgeting & Forecasting
- Build project budgets at bid stage covering equipment, permits, escorts, fuel, crew, subcontracted carriage, and contingency
- Own each budget through execution, maintaining committed cost, incurred cost, cost to complete, and estimated final cost
- Own the annual operating budget and rolling forecast, and hold department and project owners accountable to it
- Report monthly on budget versus actual, WIP, and project profitability to executives and Project Managers
- Feed actual cost history back into bid models to improve future budget accuracy
Financial Reporting & Close
- Own the month-end and year-end close, including project accruals, cost of sales entries, revenue recognition, and reconciliations
- Produce timely, accurate monthly financial statements and management reporting packages for the executive team
- Deliver the analysis behind the numbers: margin, variance, trend and profitability commentary that explains what is driving results
Project Cost Control & Pricing
- Investigate variances, identify drivers, and drive corrective action with Operations
- Price change orders and revise budgets through client approval
- Provide detailed financial analysis to support project bidding and executive decision-making
Cash Flow & Working Capital
- Manage cash flow forecasting, billing cycles, AR collection and AP timing across long-cycle projects
- Monitor working capital, project cash position and banking relationships
Controls, Compliance & Audit
- Maintain and strengthen internal controls, accounting policies and procedures across the finance function
- Lead the year-end audit or review, and act as the primary point of contact for external accountants
- Oversee statutory, tax and regulatory filings with the support of external advisors
- Own the integrity of financial data and the systems it lives in
Leadership
- Lead, coach and develop a remote team of accountants, setting priorities and ensuring work is accurate, current and on time
- Build the capability of the team as the business grows, and step in hands-on where the work requires it
Commercial Support
- Support Sales and Operations on RFP pricing and financial matters
- Review and analyze service agreements
What You Offer
- Minimum 7 years of progressive accounting experience, including time as a Controller, Assistant Controller, or in a senior project/cost accounting role
- Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field
- CPA designation, or active enrolment in the CPA program, strongly preferred
- Experience leading or managing accounting staff, including remote team members
- Transportation or logistics background preferred; construction, engineering, mining or other project-based industry experience strongly considered
- Ownership of the full month-end and year-end close, financial statement preparation and audit support
- Demonstrated ownership of cost to complete, estimated final cost, change orders and Work in Progress (WIP) reporting
- Strong job costing, project accounting, and budgeting knowledge
- Analytical mindset with the ability to work independently, make sound assumptions, and turn data into insight
- Proficiency with accounting systems: Microsoft Dynamics, QuickBooks, and advanced Excel
- Comfortable operating hands-on in a growing business: setting the standard, then doing the work alongside the team
