Controller/Sr Accountant Jobs

Summary: We’re seeking a very experienced hands-on full-cycle accountant/controller who is renowned for being well organized, very detail-oriented, self-motivated and having a great attitude. Ideally, you have similar multi-store retail accounting experience. Along with our Accounting Clerk, you’ll perform the daily and monthly accounting functions, plus payroll. You will complete monthly and year-end financials, ensuring all A/P, A/R and GL accounts are up to date and accurate for our multiple stores and departments.

About us: We are BC’s #1 photo experts. With 7 stores, we’re Canada’s 2nd largest independent photo retail chain. We’re a 3rd generation family business of over 60 years. From compact cameras to the latest pro gear, we carry it all. We’ve successfully adapted to, and thrived through, the challenges and opportunities of the photo industry changes (i.e. phones vs cameras), economic challenges, and the pandemic. The reason for our success….our people! 40% of our 50 employees have been with us for over 10 years, including 20% over 20 years. Our Photo Sales Specialists have a passion for photography, as do our warehouse and head office team.

Location: Head office (located in Kerrisdale @ 2170 W. 41 Ave, Vancouver). This position is in our office, not remote.

Report to: President/Owner

Start Date: Late May to early June

THE POSITION:

• Additional responsibilities as needed to ensure the smooth financial operations of the company.
• Full-cycle accounting including preparation of monthly and annual financial statements, while ensuring accuracy of allocations to each store/department/photolab’s revenues and costs.
• Supervise, mentor and coach Accounting Clerk in a cohesive team environment while providing training to be able to provide emergency backup for deadlines in your absence.
• Coordinate and negotiate insurance policies, and review coverage annually and as needed. Process claims.
• Update and maintain lease schedules, ensuring meeting deadlines for options to renew. Assist owner in reviewing leases and contracts. Provide monthly sales reports to landlords as per leases.
• Follow up on losses related to fraud and thefts, including appropriate accounting entries.
• On-time and accurate regulatory reporting and remittances (i.e. PST, GST, Corp tax, WorkSafeBC, EHT, MMBC, recycling and environmental fees, property taxes, business licenses).
• Develop and monitor controls surrounding assets at retail stores (i.e. cash and inventory).
• Perform monthly balance sheet account reconciliations so that monthly financials are accurate, and thus making the year-end a breeze.
• Ongoing and monthly bank reconciliations. Vendor and A/R reconciliations as needed.
• Monitor and incorporate financials from property management company for our investment property into corporate financials.
• Vendor payment processing (by EFT, “bill payment”, wire transfers, cheques, credit card) ensuring we meet vendor terms and always qualify for their cash discounts. We support local small businesses by paying as quickly as possible.
• Ensure timely follow-up on e-commerce payment issues and inquiries to support our e-commerce sales team. Support stores and customers for Paybright/Affirm financing inquiries. Follow-up on all chargebacks and fraudulent payments.
• Liaison with store managers and employees, administrative team and vendors.
• Oversee annual store inventory counts and reconcile between accounting and retail software.
• Additional opportunities and responsibilities dependent on skills, experience and initiative to grow this long-term position into a more senior leadership role.
• Bi-weekly processing of payroll for all 50 hourly employees including data entry from timesheets and processing of various incentives, and calculation of vacation, stats, and sick days. Alternate payrolls shared with owner. (Software: Payworks)

About you: Skills and experience:

• CPA designation (Comparable experience in a similar retail accounting position may be considered in lieu of professional designation for Sr Accountant position)
• Experience with CRA, GST, PST, WorkSafeBC, EHT, EPRA, Stats Canada and other regulatory reporting and online remittances and related journal entries.
• Advanced payroll experience in processing complex hourly payrolls. (we use Payworks)
• Experience with RBC Express online banking would be an asset.
• Experience with retail POS/BOS systems. (we use Aralco which integrates with Sage 300).
• Strong knowledge of Microsoft 365 and Sharepoint, particularly proficiency in Excel, Word and Outlook, and strong technical/computer skills.
• Advanced level of Sage 300 required (including A/P, A/R, G/L)
• 5 years hands-on full-cycle accounting experience. Accounting experience in a retail organization is preferred, including inventory management experience and e-commerce support.

Personal attributes:

• Your current and former employees and co-workers enjoy working with you and would recommend you for this position.
• You thrive in smaller organizations, where you are hands-on, and enjoy the opportunity to perform a variety of accounting tasks ranging from the daily/weekly routine tasks to advanced responsibilities using your senior CPA experience and knowledge.
• You love accounting and find problem-solving reconciliations to be fun.
• You are reliable, with a great attendance record, and can be counted on to take responsibility for ensuring our accounting functions operate smoothly.
• Your meticulous attention to detail and problem-solving skills sets you apart from your peers.
• You are a high performer seeking a long-term corporate position (5 to 10+ years).
• An added bonus…you love photography and understand why phones have ignited the passion for real photography, leading the photo industry to greater heights through the pandemic. Working for Canada’s 2nd largest retail camera chain excites you.
• You can prioritize and manage multiple tasks, often within tight deadlines, and have the initiative and dedication to ensure required work gets completed without supervision.
• You have excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• You pride yourself on being highly organized, efficient, a quick-learner, staying on top of tasks and requests, everything in its place, able to locate documents quickly. Month-end documents are well organized for easy reference for monthly financials. You have advanced attention to detail with the ability to prioritize and meet deadlines.

Compensation & Benefits:

• Conveniently located 2 minute walk from the Arbutus Greenway and 2 minute walk from the Kerrisdale Community Centre.
• 3 weeks vacation after 12 months.
• Parking and indoor bicycle/scooter parking.
• Employee discounts on purchases.
• Competitive salary commensurate with the experience and skills that the candidate brings to the position.
• Life insurance, AD&D, Dental, Extended Health and vision benefits (after 3 months), (Premiums shared).

Resume & cover letter: Please include your resume and cover letter/message indicating why you're interested in this position, how you’re qualified for this position, and your available start date. We would like to thank you in advance for your application, but only candidates shortlisted for phone and in-person interviews will be contacted.