Director, Finance & Corporate Controllership

Kitchener or Toronto, Ontario, Canada .
full-time . September 8, 2025

Description

Intellectual Property Ontario (IPON) is a provincial agency that serves as a leading resource for intellectual property (IP) expertise. IPON provides IP education, funding and services to help innovative researchers and companies maximize the value of their IP, strengthen their capacity to grow, and compete in the global market.

Location: We have offices in both Kitchener and Toronto.

The Director, Finance & Corporate Controllership is responsible for leading IPON’s financial planning, analysis, controllership, and reporting functions, ensuring operational excellence, regulatory compliance, and sound financial governance. This role acts as a strategic business partner across the organization, driving collaborative financial decision-making, while providing strong technical accounting leadership and oversight of audit, internal controls, and financial policies.

Responsibilities:

Lead and oversee all financial planning, budgeting, forecasting, and variance analysis activities, ensuring accuracy, timeliness, and alignment with organizational goals.
Own the full controllership function, including financial reporting, audit coordination (internal and external), and compliance with CRA regulations and public sector accounting standards.
Foster a strong business partnership mindset across the organization by proactively collaborating with stakeholders, focusing on solution-oriented support, and embracing a “what it will take” approach to overcoming challenges and achieving financial and organizational goals.
Partner closely with department leaders to understand financial needs, provide insights, and promote cross-functional collaboration for strategic decision-making.
Provide expert leadership on the development, implementation, and continuous improvement of financial policies, procedures, and internal controls to mitigate risk and enhance financial governance.
Provide strategic leadership and oversight for corporate financial governance, ensuring robust internal controls, regulatory compliance, and alignment of financial policies with the organization’s overall mission and strategic objectives.
Direct the monthly, quarterly, and annual financial reporting cycles, ensuring transparency and clarity for senior leadership and the Board of Directors.
Oversee cash management activities, including monitoring cash flow, forecasting liquidity needs, and optimizing working capital to support IPON’s financial health.
Manage Delegation of Authority (DOA) frameworks and ensure adherence to spending approvals, thresholds, and controls aligned with organizational policies.
Review contracts and financial commitments to ensure compliance, accuracy, and alignment with IPON’s strategic and financial objectives.
Champion value for money (VFM) principles in all financial decisions and mandate delivery to maximize impact and resource efficiency.
Drive operational excellence by empowering and mentoring the Manager, Accounts Payable & Payroll, fostering professional development and team collaboration.
Monitor and ensure compliance with regulatory requirements, including CRA remittances, payroll processing, pension administration, and health tax filings.
Lead financial performance measurement initiatives, including KPIs, cash flow management, and budget adherence, recommending strategic improvements.
Act as a key liaison during audits, providing oversight and timely resolution of findings, while communicating results to management and the Board.
Champion a culture of continuous learning and professional development within the finance team, sharing regulatory updates and emerging financial trends.
Support the CFO in high-level financial analysis, business case development, and financial risk assessments to guide resource allocation and investment decisions.
Maintain proficiency in financial systems, including Xero, Wagepoint, or similar platforms, to ensure efficient and accurate financial operations.
Other duties as assigned to support the Finance and Operations leadership in achieving IPON’s financial objectives.

Qualifications:

CPA designation
A degree in finance, accounting, or related field, or a combination of experience and education deemed equivalent
7+ years of progressive experience in financial planning, analysis, controllership, or related finance leadership roles.
Deep knowledge of Public Sector Accounting Standards (PSAS) and CRA regulations.
Proven track record leading financial reporting, audits, internal controls, and compliance in a complex environment.
Experience managing budgeting, forecasting, variance analysis, and strategic financial planning.
Strong background in cash management, DOA frameworks, contract reviews, and value-for-money assessments.
Experience working with financial systems such as Xero, Wagepoint, SAP, Oracle, or similar.
Demonstrated ability to develop and lead high-performing finance teams with a collaborative leadership style.
Exceptional analytical and critical thinking skills, with the ability to provide strategic financial advice and risk management.
Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, capable of building effective business partnerships and presenting complex financial information to diverse audiences.
Strong leadership skills with a focus on mentoring and developing team members.
Ability to manage multiple priorities and thrive in a dynamic, fast-paced environment.
Commitment to continuous learning and staying current with regulatory and industry developments.

The annual salary range for this role is $135,000 - $170,000, plus benefits and pension.

Sounds like you? Join our growing team today!

Intellectual Property Ontario is committed to the core principles of the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA), 2005: dignity, independence, integration and equal opportunity. Our goal is to ensure that all Ontarians can access our services and information when and how they need them, without barriers.

If you require any assistance or accommodation alternatives during the recruitment process, please contact us at hr[at]ip-ontario.ca

This advertised position is for an existing vacancy at IPON.

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