Controller

Employment Type: Full-Time

Location: Remote (Canada) — GTA strongly preferred

Salary: $160,000–$185,000

Industry: Pharmaceutical & Biotechnology Services

About the Opportunity

Our client is a full-service contract research organization (CRO) with over two decades of independent operation and a strong foundation in biostatistics and data management. They support some of the world's leading pharmaceutical, biotechnology, and medical device companies through the full lifecycle of clinical development — from study design and data management through to regulatory submission. With nearly 700 employees globally and operations spanning North America, Europe, and Asia Pacific, this is an organization with meaningful scale, genuine complexity, and a strong track record for quality and client retention.

Backed by institutional private equity and approaching an important growth inflection, the finance function has undergone significant transformation over the past five years — moving from a basic bookkeeping model to a multi-entity, multi-currency finance operation.

We are looking for a Controller who can take the function to the next level: driving automation, building operational bridges between finance and the clinical business, and standardizing processes across a geographically dispersed subsidiary structure.

This role reports directly to the CFO and owns the full controllership mandate. You'll lead a team of reports spanning Canada, Europe and growing APAC operations. The scope is deliberately focused to allow you to go deep: rather than spreading thin across all finance functions, you'll have the runway to truly own your mandate and drive change.

Key Responsibilities

Controllership & Reporting

• Manage the monthly and year-end financial close process, ensuring timely and accurate consolidated financial statements across all subsidiaries
• Oversee Billings, Accounts Payable, General Accounting, and Treasury functions, maintaining high-quality, customer-focused outcomes
• Monitor global cash flow, manage intercompany transactions, and oversee foreign currency processes across multiple jurisdictions
• Coordinate with international tax advisors to ensure tax returns and regulatory filings are completed on schedule; provide working knowledge of transfer pricing concepts across the entity structure

Systems & Automation

• Drive automation initiatives across the finance function, identifying opportunities to reduce manual processing in a high-transaction-volume environment
• Enhance and expand the use of the company's ERP (NetSuite) and lead integrations with adjacent systems including HRIS/payroll, site payment tools, and clinical operations platforms
• Build the operational bridge between finance and clinical operations — translating patient visit and site payment data into accurate, timely financial transactions in NetSuite
• Standardize finance processes across all international subsidiaries, many of which were onboarded through acquisition and currently operate with inconsistent approaches

Controls & Compliance

• Enhance documentation of finance policies, procedures, and internal controls and ensure compliance across all entities
• Research and analyze accounting issues; stay current on evolving accounting standards and their impact on company policy
• Coordinate with external auditors to deliver annual audited financial statements
• Partner with PwC on acquisition accounting as needed

Team & Stakeholder Leadership

• Manage, coach, and develop a team of approximately twelve across Canada, Europe, and Asia Pacific, building delegation frameworks and team confidence
• Act as the finance point of contact for cross-functional stakeholders including clinical operations and project management teams — translating complex financial requirements for non-financially-oriented audiences
• Provide financial guidance and support on customer-facing matters, particularly in AP, where deliverables attract significant client scrutiny

What You Bring

• CPA designation and 10+ years of progressive finance and accounting experience, with time spent in both a structured large-company environment and a building-mode or high-growth organization
• Proven ERP or systems implementation experience — this is a critical requirement; the roadmap includes multiple automation projects and every acquisition brings an implementation cycle
• Demonstrated ability to manage, delegate to, and develop accounting teams across multiple locations; comfortable building team confidence rather than redoing their work
• Multi-entity consolidation experience across international subsidiaries, with exposure to multi-currency accounting, intercompany transactions, and transfer pricing concepts
• Working knowledge of ASPE; familiarity with or ability to migrate to US GAAP
• General knowledge of international tax concepts and experience coordinating with external tax advisors across multiple jurisdictions
• Strong cross-functional communication skills — able to work effectively with clinical, operational, and project management stakeholders who are not financially-oriented
• Comfortable operating in ambiguity — able to navigate shifting priorities, imperfect processes, and a business that continues to outpace its own infrastructure

Nice to Have

• Background in a CRO, pharmaceutical, biotech, or life sciences environment
• Experience in a PE-backed company with PE reporting cadence and M&A activity
• Familiarity with NetSuite specifically
• Exposure to customer-facing finance functions, particularly AP in a project-based or contract services model

Next Steps

We do appreciate all interest; however, only those selected for an interview will be contacted.

Clarity Recruitment is an equal opportunity employer committed to fostering an inclusive and accessible recruitment process and workplace. If you require accommodation, please let us know in advance and we will work with you to meet your needs.

Please note: We use AI-assisted tools for notetaking during the screening process.

JOB ID # 3608891

About Clarity Recruitment

Clarity is an executive search and recruitment firm specializing in Finance & Accounting talent across Canada - from accountants to CFOs. Additionally, Clarity partners with organizations to hire exceptional talent in HR, Operations, and IT, helping build the teams that power business success. Our process is designed to minimize risk, maximize alignment, and move quickly. With dedicated practices in Executive Search, Full-Time Search, and Project & Interim Consulting, we help organizations grow with confidence. Visit findingclarity.ca to learn more!