Assistant Controller (St. Thomas, On)

Drive your Career!

We love our cars, but it’s the people behind them who make them what they are. To market, sell, and service great cars, we need great people. That’s why at Volkswagen Group Canada, we are passionate about our cars and our brand and foster this same passion and drive in our people. We know that the right people in the right positions can do incredible things, and we love making that happen.

We are currently looking for an Assistant Controller, based out of St. Thomas, ON

Our mission has started. Volkswagen Group’s largest cell factory in St. Thomas will carry out all battery activities – from processing raw materials to developing a unified Volkswagen battery to managing the European and North American gigafactories. Headquartered in Salzgitter, Germany, we are experiencing the transformation of mobility up close. Our goal is to contribute a positive impact to our global society, the environment and the economy. To reach these goals we need your POWER!

Reporting to the CFO, this role will be responsible for the day-to-day operation of the finance division during the company’s initial ramp-up phase. As the operative specialist, the incumbent will serve as the right-hand person to the CFO of the Canadian Entity, and assist in the localization, adaptation, and implementation of all financial activities and strategic financial decisions. This may include, but will not be limited to controlling activities, month-end and year-end reporting activities, record keeping for all financial decisions and cash disbursements and expenditures, liaising between the finance division and all other company departments for finance-related questions and topics, and ensuring compliance with all appropriate regulatory financial requirements.

The role is responsible for ensuring that corporate policies and procedures for Controlling are kept up to date, and will be expected to implement a process to implement enhanced transparency and accountability. Additionally, the role is responsible for the cost controlling for various business areas, including Compliance, Environment, Health and Safety (EHS), Product Compliance Management System (PCMS), and Internal Audit, and will provide the business with financial consultation thereby serving as a strategic collaborator.

• This is a flex hybrid model, requiring a minimum of 2 days in office**

Primary Responsibilities

• Serving as main point of contact to all other company ramp-up divisions for all financial and cash disbursement topics
• Responsible for cash and liquidity planning for the Canadian entity of PowerCo SE, liaising with Regional Treasury Office (Herndon) and German headquarters on liquidity target planning and management, cash pooling, affiliate short-term loans and hedging strategy.
• Performing other related duties as assigned or as they might pertain to the position
• Preparing and submitting monthly journal entries (account and cost centre adjustments, monthly clearings/chargebacks etc.).
• Preparing monthly analysis and financial reporting according to Group requirements
• Providing and ensuring consistent, timely, and accurate statutory and financial management reporting, and administration of the company’s finances, financial systems, processes, and records in order to meet financial goals
• Foster ing relationships with Group Functions Managers and Directors to fully understand business needs and make recommendations for prioritization around spend commitments.
• Holding monthly budget performance meetings with Group Functions budget custodians to review spend tracking against budget (trends, forecasts, risks & opportunities) and possible actions to drive the business forward.
• Responsible for managing overall capital budget and ensuring spend is monitored and prioritized
• Preparing ad hoc financial analysis, presentations, business cases, and reporting as required
• Managing and processing of accruals to accurately forecast accrued liabilities and subsequent utilization to maximize efficiency.
• Assisting the CFO in the implementation and follow up of all financial systems, and processes
• Monitoring, assessing and presenting all risks and opportunities with relevant stakeholders on an ongoing basis and providing recommendations to mitigate risks and utilize opportunities.
• Reviewing of all financial commitments submitted for Finance approval, such as shopping cards (spend approvals), payment requests and invoices, and contract requests, among others.
• Responsible for assisting in the overall financial planning and planning round process as well as commitment control using check and balance procedures, four-eye-principles, and early warning processes.
• External audit support and review of group cost general ledger accounts and their associated accruals.

Primary Location

Canada-Ontario

• Team player that works well under daily and monthly deadlines.
• Accounting principles (AR/AP, fixed assets, intercompany accounts, transfer pricing)
• Strong communication skills – interpersonal, presentation and written
• Ability to respond quickly to changing environment.
• Undergraduate Degree or College Diploma in Business, Finance or a related field, and/or equivalent relevant work experience
• Cost Driver and Deviation Analysis
• Reporting and Analytics
• Knowledge of full cycle and accounting and controlling processes
• Ability to maintain flexible work hours to account for time zone differences with Europe, when necessary
• Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA) is considered an asset
• Ability to travel within Ontario and internationally (~10%)
• Analytical and conceptual thinking – using logic and reason, problem solving, creativity and strategy
• Profit and Loss Forecasting
• GL maintenance, credit collection and control
• 5+ years of relevant experience in the areas of controlling, business management and finance
• Definition of process controls to help monitor, manage, and adjust accounting processes to ensure consistency and accuracy and reduce risk
• Overtime may be required to meet ramp-up deadline
• Bachelor’s Degree in Finance, Accounting, or similar field, or equivalent relevant work experience. Master’s degree is considered an asset
• Full cycle accounting and controlling processes

Desired Skills

• Strong business acumen and understanding of large, complex organizations and ability to interact with all levels of an organization
• IFRS / GAAP standards
• German language skills
• SAP Finance experience
• Fraud detection and audit management
• Automotive Industry Knowledge
• Experience with Shared Services environments

What You’ll Get In Return

• Opportunities for development
• And much more!
• A flexible and collaborative team dynamic
• Opportunities to participate in exciting company events that give back to the community
• Competitive employer paid benefits and overall compensation package

Interested applicants are asked to submit their application by August 11, 2023

• Please note that we appreciate the interest of all candidates, however only those under consideration will be contacted.

Volkswagen Group Canada is committed to diversity and inclusion in the workplace. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, family status, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, age, disability or any other characteristic protected by federal, or local laws.

Additional information: Volkswagen Group Canada is committed to providing accommodations for people with disabilities during all phases of the hiring process including the application process. If you require an accommodation because of a disability, we will work with you to meet your needs. Applicants need to make their needs known in advance. If you are selected for an interview and require an accommodation, you are encouraged to advise the Recruiter who will consult with you to determine an appropriate accommodation .