Vice President Finance

  • Job Title: Vice President/Executive Director, Finance


    Location: Montreal, Quebec


    Our client, a biotechnology company, is seeking a Vice President/Executive Director, Finance. This individual will report to the Chief Financial Officer, and will play a key role in leading and managing the Finance team to support the company’s continued growth.


    Key Responsibilities:

    • Oversee all accounting functions and work closely with corporate controller and accounting team related to quarterly closes, SEC reporting & financial statements, SOX controls, accounts payable and audits
    • Manage and foster relationship with the auditors and other external parties to ensure good financial operations and compliance
    • Ensure public financial statements and disclosures are of the highest standards of quality, relevance, and regulatory compliance
    • Responsible for managing and updating internal controls, including narrative standard operating procedure documentation
    • Assess and implement new or updated accounting standards and technical issues; analyze their relevance and impact
    • Continuously review and monitor new accounting pronouncements and filings to ensure disclosures are in line with accounting standards and our industry
    • Evaluate, design and roll-out new accounting system or ERP
    • Prepare all annual insurance renewals
    • Manage tax provision and tax returns with external firms
    • Manage Board approved Stock Option Grants and maintain online Equity Management System
    • Oversee ongoing AP payment process, including bank transfers and external wire transfers
    • Oversee payroll and benefits administration
    • Provide financial and operational metrics and analytics to executive management
    • Develop and implement business process improvement initiatives and strategies
    • Coordinate, create and present all finance-related materials for Board of Directors and Audit Committee
    • Serve as a key business partner and work effectively on multiple cross-functional teams
    • Work with the Director of FP&A and internal stakeholders on planning activities
    • Increase the company’s ability to anticipate business issues and drive good decision-making through sound financial management
    • Develop guidelines and processes corresponding to the rapid growth of the company


    Qualifications:

    • Bachelor’s degree in Accounting or Finance
    • CPA certification required
    • 15+ years of extensive experience overseeing accounting functions including technical accounting and reporting experience
    • Minimum 5 years of experience managing accounting and finance operations staff
    • A deep understanding of International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS), Sarbanes-Oxley (SOX), Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) reporting, financial processes, and operations as well as advanced financial leadership capabilities, required
    • Big 4 public accounting experience required
    • Experience in building and leading highly functional teams required
    • Must be bilingual (French & English)
    • Experience in the Pharmaceutical or Biotechnology industries preferred


    Skills, Knowledge & Abilities:

    • Team player that enjoys managing and mentoring a diverse team
    • Comfortable working independently
    • Superior written and oral communication skills and proficiency in technical accounting writing
    • Highly organized, results driven, problem solver
    • Highly motivated with the ability to be flexible in a fast-paced environment
    • Experience working with senior level managers, exercising professionalism & discretion.
    • Outstanding organizational and interpersonal skills; strong customer service
    • Strong detail orientation with the ability to multi-task and meet deadlines
    • Proactively manage tasks and workloads; flexible, able to adapt/adjust with short notice
    • Capable of making good judgments and anticipate needs


    If you meet the above requirements, please click "Apply" or contact Michael Villeneuve directly at mvilleneuve@locksearchgroup.com.


    Thank you.