Financial Controller / Accounting Manager (Manufacturing/Life Science)
Top Benefits
About the role
Our direct client is looking to bring on a Hands-on Financial Controller / Accounting Manager for a new position, Full Time direct Hire in Mississauga, ON Canada area
This is a Start Up company, candidate must have experience with Manufacturing in the Life sciences Industry OR FOOD FDA Raw materials
***** This role is combined with Cost Accounting background, Controller and Accounting Manager ***
Details: Financial Controller / Accounting Manager Full-Time Direct Hire Onsite Monday – Friday Client Location: Oakville / Mississauga, ON Canada area Salary $135k - $155k + RSU
MUST HAVE Experience with: Strong Background in Cost Accounting startup or early-stage company Experience in Manufacturing environment Life sciences Industry OR FOOD FDA Raw materials experience Required with either one of these: pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, medical devices, diagnostic and IVD Part of an ERP implementation
Experience in building manufacturing cost accounting function from the ground up – Highly preferred
The Controller will be apart of the Manufacturing & Operations functions is a player-coach owning month-end close while also being instrumental in building our manufacturing cost accounting function from the ground up.
This is a hands-on role requiring someone who has owned standard costing, WIP tracking, and inventory valuation inside a real manufacturing environment - not someone who has been adjacent to it.
You will work closely with operations, procurement, and finance leadership to ensure production activity is accurately captured, costs are properly allocated, and management has the visibility it needs to make good decisions.
Experience Needed At least 6 years of progressive accounting experience, At least 2 years in a dedicated cost accounting capacity within a manufacturing environment Demonstrated hands-on experience with standard costing, COGS accounting, BOM costing, WIP accounting, and inventory valuation - you must be able to speak to this concretely Strong knowledge of ASPE and/or US GAAP as it applies to inventory and cost of goods sold Experience working inside a manufacturing ERP (QT9, NetSuite, SAP Business One, Epicor, or similar); ERP implementation experience is a must CPA designation or actively enrolled in the CPA PEP program and on track to complete Advanced Excel proficiency and comfort working with large data sets Able to operate independently in a lean environment where process doesn’t yet exist and you are expected to build it Life sciences Industry experience Required with either one of these: pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, medical devices, diagnostic and IVD - Required Prior experience at a pre-revenue or early-commercial-stage company Exposure to contract manufacturing or milestone-based delivery environments
Responsibilities
Cost accounting & inventory Design and implement standard costing and BOM costing structures within our new ERP, in coordination with operations and procurement Own WIP tracking, COGS accounting, inventory valuation, and overhead allocation as we move from R&D into production Maintain perpetual inventory records, support cycle count processes, and reconcile physical inventory to the general ledger Track job costs and material consumption against contract budgets, with particular focus on our instrument delivery program Ensure accurate capitalization and expensing of production costs in line with ASPE standards
Variance analysis & reporting Prepare and distribute monthly manufacturing variance reports - purchase price, usage, labor, and overhead - with clear root-cause commentary Partner with operations to investigate and explain cost variances, and support corrective action where needed Provide cost data and analysis to support management decision-making, budgeting, and forecasting
ERP & systems Serve as the finance partner on costing and inventory modules within our ERP Define costing methodology, item master structure, and reporting hierarchies in the new system Document and test costing processes end-to-end prior to go-live; support adoption post-launch
Month-end close & accounting operations Lead the monthly close process end-to-end: prepare and review journal entries, complete account reconciliations, and ensure the trial balance is clean and on schedule Oversee and review the work of the AP Manager and Junior Finance Operations Associate, providing day-to-day guidance and ensuring accuracy across payables, receivables, and bookkeeping Lead monthly bank reconciliations and daily cash position reporting across our banking relationships Identify and implement process improvements across accounting operations as the company scales from startup to active manufacturer Support external audit and SR&ED tax credit documentation for manufacturing-related eligible expenditures Assist with HST/GST filings, payroll source deductions, and other tax compliance requirements as needed
This role is combined with Cost Accounting, Controller and Accounting Manager
Compensation will be determined based on the individual’s demonstrated experience, education, training, relevant certifications or licensure, and other applicable business and organizational factors.
Also, the client Will Require 3 professional Work References to be completed prior to offer.
If you are interested, please send me your updated Word Resume, along with your direct phone number and email.
Not the right fit? Search for Financial Controller / Accounting Manager jobs in Toronto, Ontario, Canada
About Avenue 45
Avenue 45 | Rachel Steffens, President – S-Corp | Senior Technical Recruiter | Freelance & Contract
I am an experienced Senior Technical Recruiter specializing in freelance and contract recruitment, partnering with multiple clients and consulting firms to deliver top talent solutions.
I am an experienced Senior Technical Recruiter specializing in freelance and contract recruitment, partnering with multiple clients and consulting firms to deliver top talent solutions. I am a contract / freelance recruiter, full desk working with direct clients and Consulting Services agencies.
With 20 years in recruitment, I specialize in helping organizations—from startups to Fortune 500s—build strong teams. My expertise lies in aligning technical skills and company culture, ensuring the right fit for both clients and candidates.
I leverage deep industry knowledge, proactive sourcing, and a personalized approach to connect organizations with highly skilled professionals who align with both technical and cultural needs. Whether hiring software engineers, system architects, IT Directors, accountants, controllers, QA specialists, or operational leaders, I am committed to making the recruitment process efficient and seamless.
Let’s connect to build high-performing teams or explore new career opportunities.
Similar Jobs
Financial Controller / Accounting Manager (Manufacturing/Life Science)
Top Benefits
About the role
Our direct client is looking to bring on a Hands-on Financial Controller / Accounting Manager for a new position, Full Time direct Hire in Mississauga, ON Canada area
This is a Start Up company, candidate must have experience with Manufacturing in the Life sciences Industry OR FOOD FDA Raw materials
***** This role is combined with Cost Accounting background, Controller and Accounting Manager ***
Details: Financial Controller / Accounting Manager Full-Time Direct Hire Onsite Monday – Friday Client Location: Oakville / Mississauga, ON Canada area Salary $135k - $155k + RSU
MUST HAVE Experience with: Strong Background in Cost Accounting startup or early-stage company Experience in Manufacturing environment Life sciences Industry OR FOOD FDA Raw materials experience Required with either one of these: pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, medical devices, diagnostic and IVD Part of an ERP implementation
Experience in building manufacturing cost accounting function from the ground up – Highly preferred
The Controller will be apart of the Manufacturing & Operations functions is a player-coach owning month-end close while also being instrumental in building our manufacturing cost accounting function from the ground up.
This is a hands-on role requiring someone who has owned standard costing, WIP tracking, and inventory valuation inside a real manufacturing environment - not someone who has been adjacent to it.
You will work closely with operations, procurement, and finance leadership to ensure production activity is accurately captured, costs are properly allocated, and management has the visibility it needs to make good decisions.
Experience Needed At least 6 years of progressive accounting experience, At least 2 years in a dedicated cost accounting capacity within a manufacturing environment Demonstrated hands-on experience with standard costing, COGS accounting, BOM costing, WIP accounting, and inventory valuation - you must be able to speak to this concretely Strong knowledge of ASPE and/or US GAAP as it applies to inventory and cost of goods sold Experience working inside a manufacturing ERP (QT9, NetSuite, SAP Business One, Epicor, or similar); ERP implementation experience is a must CPA designation or actively enrolled in the CPA PEP program and on track to complete Advanced Excel proficiency and comfort working with large data sets Able to operate independently in a lean environment where process doesn’t yet exist and you are expected to build it Life sciences Industry experience Required with either one of these: pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, medical devices, diagnostic and IVD - Required Prior experience at a pre-revenue or early-commercial-stage company Exposure to contract manufacturing or milestone-based delivery environments
Responsibilities
Cost accounting & inventory Design and implement standard costing and BOM costing structures within our new ERP, in coordination with operations and procurement Own WIP tracking, COGS accounting, inventory valuation, and overhead allocation as we move from R&D into production Maintain perpetual inventory records, support cycle count processes, and reconcile physical inventory to the general ledger Track job costs and material consumption against contract budgets, with particular focus on our instrument delivery program Ensure accurate capitalization and expensing of production costs in line with ASPE standards
Variance analysis & reporting Prepare and distribute monthly manufacturing variance reports - purchase price, usage, labor, and overhead - with clear root-cause commentary Partner with operations to investigate and explain cost variances, and support corrective action where needed Provide cost data and analysis to support management decision-making, budgeting, and forecasting
ERP & systems Serve as the finance partner on costing and inventory modules within our ERP Define costing methodology, item master structure, and reporting hierarchies in the new system Document and test costing processes end-to-end prior to go-live; support adoption post-launch
Month-end close & accounting operations Lead the monthly close process end-to-end: prepare and review journal entries, complete account reconciliations, and ensure the trial balance is clean and on schedule Oversee and review the work of the AP Manager and Junior Finance Operations Associate, providing day-to-day guidance and ensuring accuracy across payables, receivables, and bookkeeping Lead monthly bank reconciliations and daily cash position reporting across our banking relationships Identify and implement process improvements across accounting operations as the company scales from startup to active manufacturer Support external audit and SR&ED tax credit documentation for manufacturing-related eligible expenditures Assist with HST/GST filings, payroll source deductions, and other tax compliance requirements as needed
This role is combined with Cost Accounting, Controller and Accounting Manager
Compensation will be determined based on the individual’s demonstrated experience, education, training, relevant certifications or licensure, and other applicable business and organizational factors.
Also, the client Will Require 3 professional Work References to be completed prior to offer.
If you are interested, please send me your updated Word Resume, along with your direct phone number and email.
Not the right fit? Search for Financial Controller / Accounting Manager jobs in Toronto, Ontario, Canada
About Avenue 45
Avenue 45 | Rachel Steffens, President – S-Corp | Senior Technical Recruiter | Freelance & Contract
I am an experienced Senior Technical Recruiter specializing in freelance and contract recruitment, partnering with multiple clients and consulting firms to deliver top talent solutions.
I am an experienced Senior Technical Recruiter specializing in freelance and contract recruitment, partnering with multiple clients and consulting firms to deliver top talent solutions. I am a contract / freelance recruiter, full desk working with direct clients and Consulting Services agencies.
With 20 years in recruitment, I specialize in helping organizations—from startups to Fortune 500s—build strong teams. My expertise lies in aligning technical skills and company culture, ensuring the right fit for both clients and candidates.
I leverage deep industry knowledge, proactive sourcing, and a personalized approach to connect organizations with highly skilled professionals who align with both technical and cultural needs. Whether hiring software engineers, system architects, IT Directors, accountants, controllers, QA specialists, or operational leaders, I am committed to making the recruitment process efficient and seamless.
Let’s connect to build high-performing teams or explore new career opportunities.