Fractional Controller / Finance Manager

About the Role

You will work directly with the owners and take responsibility for overseeing the company's financial operations.

We currently use QuickBooks Online for accounting and Payworks for payroll. We also work with an external accounting firm for year-end tax preparation.

The successful candidate will help us establish reliable financial processes, improve our existing systems, and provide ongoing financial insight throughout the year.

Because our business is highly seasonal, with the majority of our revenue and expenses occurring during the summer tourism season, the workload will vary throughout the year.

We anticipate approximately 10–15 hours per week during the busy season, with fewer hours during the quieter winter months and additional hours during year-end and financial planning periods.

Key Responsibilities

Financial Oversight

• Take ownership of the company's day-to-day financial oversight.
• Review and maintain the accuracy of QuickBooks Online.
• Review income and expenses and identify unusual, incorrect, unnecessary, or potentially problematic transactions.
• Monitor cash flow and working capital.
• Prepare and maintain monthly financial reports.
• Review Profit & Loss statements and Balance Sheets and provide management with meaningful explanations and recommendations.
• Develop budgets, forecasts, and financial projections.
• Monitor actual results against budget and identify significant variances.
• Help management understand the financial performance and profitability of different areas of the business.

Bookkeeping & Accounting

• Oversee bank and credit card reconciliations.
• Review Accounts Payable and Accounts Receivable.
• Ensure expenses are properly categorized and recorded.
• Review revenue and payment information from multiple booking and sales channels.
• Identify accounting discrepancies and ensure they are resolved.
• Maintain accurate and organized financial records.
• Assist with GST and other required financial reporting.
• Prepare organized year-end working papers for our external CPA/accounting firm.

Payroll Oversight

• Review and improve our existing payroll processes in Payworks.
• Review payroll for accuracy before processing.
• Assist with vacation accruals, statutory holiday pay, payroll adjustments, ROEs, T4s, and other payroll-related requirements.
• Ensure payroll records and procedures are properly maintained.
• Identify opportunities to improve payroll accuracy and efficiency.

Financial Planning & Business Advice

We are looking for someone who can go beyond recording transactions and help us make better decisions.

You may be asked to advise management on:

• Whether we can afford a new vehicle or major equipment purchase.
• When to make significant purchases based on cash flow.
• Hiring and labour-cost decisions.
• Expense reduction opportunities.
• Pricing and profitability.
• Cash reserves and seasonal cash-flow planning.
• Budgeting for the upcoming tourism season.
• Financing and capital expenditures.
• Business growth and financial planning.

You should be comfortable telling the owners when something doesn't make financial sense and explaining why.

Seasonal Workload

Our business is highly seasonal, so we are looking for someone comfortable with a flexible, variable workload.

A typical year may look approximately like:

May–September: 10–15 hours/week

Primary focus: financial monitoring, payroll oversight, expenses, cash flow, and operational financial support.

October–November: 15–20 hours/week as required

Primary focus: year-end cleanup, reconciliations, financial reporting, payroll reconciliation, and preparation for our external accountant.

December–April: approximately 5–10 hours/week

Primary focus: financial planning, budgeting, tax coordination, cash-flow forecasting, and preparation for the upcoming season.

Hours are flexible and can be adjusted based on business needs and the candidate's availability.

Qualifications

Required

• 5+ years of relevant accounting, financial management, controllership, or senior bookkeeping experience.
• Strong understanding of accounting principles and financial statements.
• Strong experience with QuickBooks Online or comparable accounting software.
• Experience with Canadian payroll and CRA requirements.
• Strong Excel skills.
• Experience with bank and credit card reconciliations.
• Ability to analyze financial information and identify problems or unusual trends.
• Ability to work independently with limited supervision.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Excellent communication skills.

Strongly Preferred

• Previous Controller, Assistant Controller, Finance Manager, or Senior Accountant experience.
• Experience managing the financials of a small or medium-sized business.
• Experience with seasonal businesses.
• Alberta payroll and tax experience.
• Experience with tourism, transportation, hospitality, or other operational businesses.
• Experience with Payworks.
• Experience preparing year-end working papers for an external CPA.
• CPA designation or accounting/business degree.

CPA designation is an asset but is not mandatory. We are more interested in demonstrated experience managing the finances of a growing business and the ability to provide practical financial advice.

What We Are Looking For

The ideal candidate is someone who can look at our business and say:

"Here is what the numbers are telling us, here are the problems I see, and here is what I recommend we do."

We are not looking for someone whose role is limited to entering receipts and reconciling accounts.

We need someone who can become a trusted financial partner to the owners while also being willing to get into the details when necessary.

You should be comfortable working independently, asking questions, identifying problems proactively, and bringing solutions to management.

Compensation & Work Arrangement

$80–$120 per hour, depending on experience and qualifications.

Approximately 10–15 hours per week during the busy season, with a reduced workload during the off-season.

We are open to discussing either an hourly contractor arrangement or part-time employment with the right candidate.

Location

This position can be performed primarily remotely.

Candidates anywhere in Canada will be considered, although Alberta-based candidates with knowledge of Alberta payroll and tax requirements are preferred.

Occasional in-person meetings in the Canmore area may be beneficial but are not required.