Accounting Manager

Job Title:                     Accounting Manager Department:              Accounting Direct Report:           Controller - Canada Location:                   British Columbia Prepared Date:          04/23/2026

SUMMARY

The Accounting Manager is responsible for overseeing the integrity, accuracy, and timeliness of financial reporting and accounting operations within a food distribution environment. This role supports the Controller in managing daily accounting functions, strengthening internal controls, and delivering actionable financial insights related to inventory, cost of goods sold, and distribution operations. The Accounting Manager plays a key leadership role in period-end close, audit coordination, and continuous improvement of financial processes in a high-volume, fast-paced setting.

EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE

Bachelor’s degree (B.A.) in Accounting, Finance, or related field. CPA designation preferred. Minimum of 6–8 years of progressive accounting experience, preferably within food distribution, manufacturing, or a high-volume inventory environment. Experience with inventory accounting, cost accounting, and audit coordination required.

SKILLS

Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, particularly Excel; experience with ERP and inventory management systems required. Strong leadership and team development skills, with experience managing accounting staff in a fast-paced environment. Excellent communication skills, with the ability to translate financial results into operational insights. Strong understanding of inventory flows, costing methodologies (FIFO/weighted average), and margin analysis. Ability to manage competing priorities, tight deadlines, and large transaction volumes. Analytical mindset with the ability to identify trends in sales, shrinkage, spoilage, and distribution costs. Results-driven with a focus on process improvement, automation, and operational efficiency.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Support the Controller in overseeing all accounting operations, including general ledger, accounts payable, accounts receivable, payroll, and inventory accounting. Lead and manage the month-end, quarter-end, and year-end close processes, with a strong focus on inventory valuation, cost of goods sold, and distribution expenses. Review and approve journal entries, reconciliations, and balance sheet schedules, including inventory, accruals, and inter-branch transactions. Oversee inventory accounting processes, including reconciliation of physical counts, cycle counts, and investigation of variances related to shrinkage, spoilage, and obsolescence. Partner with operations and warehouse teams to ensure accurate tracking of product movement, costing, and inventory controls across multiple distribution centers. Strengthen and maintain internal controls over financial reporting, inventory handling, and compliance with food safety and regulatory requirements. Coordinate and lead external audits, including financial audits and inventory observations, ensuring timely and accurate responses to auditors. Oversee tax compliance activities, including sales tax, commodity tax considerations, and regulatory filings specific to the food distribution industry. Analyze financial results, including gross margins, product profitability, freight costs, and waste, providing actionable insights to senior management. Support budgeting and forecasting processes, with a focus on cost and balance sheet trends. Drive continuous improvement initiatives in financial systems, reporting, and inventory management processes to enhance accuracy and efficiency. Supervise, mentor, and develop accounting staff, fostering accountability and continuous improvement. Ensure financial systems and reporting tools provide timely, accurate, and relevant information to support operational decision-making.

CORE VALUES

Teamwork – Collaborates effectively across finance, operations, and warehouse teams to drive results. Ethics – Demonstrates integrity and accountability in financial reporting and operational support. Professionalism – Maintains a high level of professionalism in a fast-paced, operationally focused environment. Critical Thinking – Applies analytical skills to identify issues in margins, inventory, and operations and recommend solutions. Professional Courage – Proactively identifies risks such as inventory discrepancies or margin erosion and communicates them clearly.

ENVIRONMENT

Fast-paced, high-volume food distribution environment with tight deadlines and constant operational activity. Regular interaction with warehouse, logistics, procurement, and sales teams. Exposure to inventory facilities, including warehouse and cold storage environments as needed. Requires ability to manage multiple priorities while maintaining accuracy and responsiveness.