Manager, Controllership

Job Description

As the Manager Controllership and Audits, you will partner closely with Tax, Operations, Segment Finance and NORAM Internal Control. The role strengthens financial governance across Sodexo Canada through hands-on ownership of close and balance sheet disciplines, site-level control validation, audit readiness and remediation. A core expectation is visible field and office presence, including periodic site audits and control reviews covering cash, inventory, revenue and billing, contract compliance, payroll, purchasing and fixed assets. The role provides direct support for Canadian tax compliance, including preparation and reconciliation of indirect tax filings and supporting corporate income tax filings, CRA inquiries and audits. It coordinates internal and external audit requests, maintains evidence of control execution, and follows identified deficiencies through to sustainable closure. The role also supports corporate SG&A planning, forecasting, financial analysis and targeted process improvement, providing flexible onshore capacity where stronger Canadian ownership and responsiveness are required.

Controllership, Close & Financial Reporting: Coordinate Canada/HQ month-end and year-end close activities, including journal entries, accruals, account reconciliations, consolidation support and financial reporting. Maintain strong balance sheet governance, investigate unusual items and ensure issues are resolved with clear ownership and evidence. Examples include reviewing accrual support and unusual balance sheet movements; validating reconciliations for cash, AR, inventory, prepaid and fixed-asset accounts; preparing or reviewing close journal entries; following up on unsupported balances; and ensuring period-end issues are documented and cleared on a timely basis.

Site Controls, Field Audits & Remediation: Perform and support risk-based site reviews across Canada to validate control execution and documentation. Review key areas including cash/POS and safe access, inventory counts and valuation, revenue and billing, AR, contract compliance/3-way match, payroll/timekeeping, purchasing/payables and fixed assets. Document findings, agree action plans, track remediation and escalate repeat or material deficiencies. Examples include observing a physical inventory count; testing cashier reconciliations, deposit dual verification and POS/safe access; reviewing AR aging and duplicate-billing controls; confirming contract handover and 3-way match evidence; testing payroll register/timecard review; validating receiving support against invoices; and confirming fixed assets exist and are appropriately recorded.

Canadian Tax Compliance & CRA Support: Provide hands-on support to the Senior Manager - Tax and Controllership for Canadian tax compliance. Prepare/review GST/HST and other indirect tax returns, remittances, reconciliations and tax journal entries; support corporate income tax return preparation, tax provisions and supporting schedules; coordinate information requests and responses for CRA and provincial tax authority reviews and audits. Examples include preparing monthly/quarterly GST/HST working papers and returns; reconciling tax accounts to the general ledger; preparing tax-related journal entries and remittances; compiling corporate tax schedules and supporting documentation; researching variances between filed returns and ledger balances; and assembling support for CRA/provincial information requests, desk reviews or field audits.

Internal & External Audit Support: Act as a primary coordination point for internal control, external financial statement audit and other assurance activities. Prepare and validate audit schedules, supporting documentation and control evidence; coordinate responses across Finance and Operations; monitor open items and ensure agreed remediation is completed and sustained. Examples include preparing PBC schedules; retrieving invoices, contracts, reconciliations and approval evidence; coordinating site and functional walkthroughs; validating sample support before submission; responding to follow-up questions from auditors; maintaining an audit request tracker; and confirming management action plans are evidenced and closed by agreed dates.

Balance Sheet, Working Capital & Contract Governance: Strengthen balance sheet and working-capital discipline through recurring review of reconciliations, aged receivables, accrual support, inventory, fixed assets and other key accounts. Support contract handovers and contract-to-service-to-billing reviews, validate financial obligations and SAP contract setup, and identify leakage, compliance gaps or reporting risks requiring action. Examples include reviewing past-due AR and DSO with owners; challenging aged or unsupported accruals; confirming inventory valuation and adjustments; validating client-funded obligations, commissions and guaranteed-surplus arrangements; comparing contract terms to services delivered and invoices issued; and checking that key commercial terms are accurately reflected in SAP and financial reporting.

FP&A, SG&A & Process Improvement: Support corporate SG&A budgeting, forecasting, flash reporting and monthly business reviews; partner with functional leaders to explain variances and identify cost opportunities. Lead or support short-cycle finance projects, process documentation, standardization and automation that improve control quality, responsiveness and efficiency of the Canadian finance organization. Examples include preparing SG&A forecasts and variance bridges; analyzing payroll, professional-fee and discretionary-spend trends; supporting period flash and MBR submissions; documenting close, tax or control procedures; simplifying recurring reconciliations and trackers; developing standardized templates; and identifying opportunities to automate manual finance activities or shift work to the appropriate service-delivery model.

Qualifications

• Post Secondary education in Business (degree); 4 years post-secondary preferred. A combination of education and experience may be considered.
• Minimum 5-7 years of progressive finance experience with meaningful exposure to controllership, financial reporting, balance sheet governance, internal controls and audit support in a complex multi-site or multi-entity environment. Experience supporting Canadian tax compliance, CRA/provincial tax audits, indirect tax filings and reconciliations is strongly preferred. Operational or site-facing finance experience is an asset.
• Demonstrated ability to lead workstreams and influence cross-functional stakeholders without direct authority. Prior experience coaching finance or operational teams on controls, audit readiness or remediation is preferred.
• Canadian Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA) designation is required. 
•  Advanced Microsoft Excel and strong financial analysis skills.
• Working knowledge of SAP or comparable ERP and financial reporting systems.
• Hands-on experience preparing journal entries, account reconciliations and month-end/year-end close schedules.
• Experience preparing/reconciling GST/HST returns and supporting CRA or provincial tax audits.
• Working knowledge of internal controls, audit evidence requirements and remediation tracking
•  Ability to analyze site-level financial and operational data and translate findings into corrective actions
•  Strong written and verbal communication with the ability to work effectively with site operators, functional leaders, auditors and tax authorities.
• High level of ownership, judgment and attention to detail; able to challenge incomplete support and drive issues to closure.
• Comfort operating both in the field and in a corporate environment, with the ability to independently plan site reviews and manage competing deadlines.
• Strong relationship-building, influence and collaboration skills across a matrixed organization.
• Ability to handle confidential financial and employee information with appropriate discretion.
• English required. Bilingual (French) is a very strong asset

Additional Information

What Makes Sodexo Different:   

Working with Sodexo is more than a job; it’s a chance to be part of something greater because we believe our everyday actions have a big impact. You belong in a company that allows you to act with purpose and thrive in your own way. In addition, we offer:

• Flexible work environment  
• Competitive compensation & great employee benefits 
• Training and development programs  
• Countless opportunities for growth  
• Corporate responsibility & sustainability  
• An award-winning employer for Sustainability, Diversity & Inclusion, Corporate Social Responsibility, and much more. View Sodexo’s latest awards here
• And so much more!     

Sodexo is committed to Employment Equity and Diversity. We do not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of national origin, race, religion, ethnic group, age, disability, gender, sexual preference, sexual or gender identity, status as a veteran or any other federal, provincial or local protected class.  

We welcome and encourage applications from people with disabilities. Accommodation is available on request from candidates taking part in all aspects of the selection process.  

Sodexo is committed to providing a safe and healthy working environment for our team members, customers, clients, contractors, business partners, guests, and members of the public with whom we regularly interact. We require that all new hires in hospitals, long term care facilities, and senior homes to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and may require any other new hires to be fully vaccinated based on the location and scope of their employment.

Thank you for your interest in Sodexo.

Please note that only those candidates under consideration will be contacted. 

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Compensation: 95000 to 115000 (CAD) (YEARLY)