Accounting Manager - Pure Life Machinery & Clean Works (St. Catharines, ON, on-site)
Full-time, permanent. Base salary: $90,000 – $100,000 + benefits. Reports to: Group Accounting Manager and Managing Director (dual reporting).
About the Companies
Pure Life Machinery Inc. (PLM) is a precision sheet-metal contract manufacturer and machine builder in St. Catharines, Ontario, fabricating complex assemblies and complete machines for food-processing, marine and industrial customers across North America. Clean Works Inc. (CWI) designs and builds patented Clean Flow gas-phase sanitation systems used by food processors and growers in North America and internationally. Both companies share one site and are part of the Court Holdings Ltd. group, alongside Vineland Manufacturing Ltd. (VML).
Role Overview
We are looking for a hands-on Accounting Manager to own full-cycle accounting for PLM and CWI - from transactions and payroll through month-end close, job costing and monthly financial statements. You will be the go-to finance person for both companies, working closely with the Group Accounting Manager, Controller, the Managing Director and the operations and sales teams. This role suits someone who enjoys both doing the work and improving how it gets done: tighter closes, better job-cost visibility and clean intercompany accounting.
Key Responsibilities
Month-End Close & Financial Reporting
- Own the month-end and year-end close for PLM and CWI on a fixed close calendar.
- Prepare monthly financial statements (balance sheet, income statement, cash flow) with variance analysis against budget and prior year.
- Prepare management and board reporting packages, and support the annual budget and forecasts.
Job Costing, Inventory & WIP
- Own job and project costing for fabrication and machine-build jobs: WIP, labour and overhead absorption, cost-to-complete and revenue recognition on long-lead projects.
- Manage inventory valuation and reconcile physical counts; investigate cost and margin variances.
- Work with operations and purchasing to report margin by job and flag overruns early.
Intercompany & Multi-Currency
- Record and reconcile intercompany sales, recharges and balances between PLM, CWI and other group entities each month.
- Process USD and other foreign-currency transactions and perform FX revaluation.
Payroll, Payables, Receivables & Cash
- Oversee bi-weekly payroll and benefits administration; remit source deductions, EHT and WSIB on time.
- Oversee accounts payable and receivable: approvals, payment runs, invoicing, collections and AR aging.
- Maintain the weekly cash flow forecast and bank reconciliations; support lender reporting.
Tax, Statutory & Government Programs
- Prepare and file HST, EHT, WSIB and year-end slips (T4, T5018); support corporate tax filings with the external accountants.
- Prepare documentation and reporting for SR&ED claims and government grant programs.
- Prepare year-end working papers and lead the year-end engagement with the external accountants.
Systems, Controls & Team
- Maintain the chart of accounts and internal controls: approvals, purchase-order discipline and segregation of duties.
- Support PLM’s ERP transition (Microsoft Dynamics NAV to Fulcrum) and improve financial reporting from the systems.
- Supervise and develop accounting support staff (AP/AR and invoicing).
Qualifications & Requirements
Education
- Degree or diploma in Accounting, Finance or Business Administration.
- CPA designation (or CPA candidate in the final stages) is strongly preferred.
Experience
- 7+ years of progressive full-cycle accounting experience, including owning month-end close and preparing financial statements.
- 5+ years in a manufacturing environment with job/project costing, inventory and WIP accounting.
- Multi-entity accounting experience, including intercompany transactions and reconciliations.
- Hands-on experience with payroll and HST, EHT and WSIB filings.
- 5+ years of hands-on ERP experience for full-cycle accounting - Microsoft Dynamics NAV / Business Central preferred; SAP, Sage 300 or Great Plains considered.
- Experience supervising or coaching accounting staff is an asset.
Skills & Competencies
- Advanced Excel (pivot tables, lookups, reconciliation and reporting templates).
- Strong analytical skills: able to explain the numbers to non-finance managers and recommend action.
- Organized and self-directed; meets close and filing deadlines without close supervision.
- High integrity and attention to detail; takes ownership of the accuracy of the books.
- Clear written and verbal communication with management, vendors, customers and auditors.
What We Offer
- Base salary of $90,000 – $100,000, depending on qualifications and experience.
- Comprehensive group health benefits: dental, extended health and vision care.
- RRSP matching program and paid time off.
- Monday to Friday schedule - stable, predictable hours.
- A visible, high-impact role across two growing manufacturing companies, working directly with senior management.
How to Apply
Please apply through LinkedIn and answer the screening questions. Include a brief note describing your experience with job costing and multi-entity accounting.
This posting is for an existing vacancy. Artificial intelligence (AI) tools may be used during this recruitment process to screen and assess applications; all hiring decisions are made by people. We will inform all applicants who are interviewed of the outcome within 45 days of their final interview.
Equal Opportunity & Accommodation
Pure Life Machinery Inc. and Clean Works Inc. are equal opportunity employers committed to an inclusive workplace. We welcome applications from all qualified candidates.
In accordance with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA), accommodations are available on request for candidates taking part in all aspects of the selection process.
