Controller (16-month contract) at 7shifts in Toronto, Ontario, Canada

7shifts is a scheduling and payroll platform designed to help restaurant teams thrive. With an easy-to-use app and industry-specific solutions, 7shifts saves time, reduces errors, and helps keep costs in check for over 55,000 restaurants. Our mission is to simplify team management and improve performance for restaurants, with a long-term vision of creating a thriving restaurant industry through the power of connected & engaged teams. As the Controller, you’ll step in to lead a high-performing accounting function. You’ll oversee full-cycle accounting operations, lead month-end and year-end close processes, and coach a team of accounting professionals. You’ll bring a forward-thinking approach to the role by leveraging AI and automation to optimize workflows, improve accuracy, and drive operational efficiency. Reporting to the Senior Director, Accounting & Financial Operations, this role is ideal for someone who builds trust quickly, moves with speed and pragmatism, and is passionate about building scalable, best-in-class financial processes. Note: This is a 16-month contract opportunity with full benefits, offering the chance to make a meaningful impact within a high-performing accounting team. What you’ll do: Oversee and continuously improve the month-end and year-end close processes, reviewing team deliverables to ensure accurate and timely financial reporting. Manage full-cycle accounting processes, including accounts payable, accounts receivable, payroll, revenue recognition, equity, and tax compliance. Mentor, develop, and lead a team of accounting professionals, fostering a high-performance culture where individuals are equipped with the skills, guidance, and opportunities they need to grow and do their best work. Prepare and review monthly flux analysis, delivering clear commentary on monthly business activity, key drivers, and trends. Own the resolution of technical accounting matters by preparing and reviewing accounting memos that provide clear, well-supported conclusions. Lead annual compliance filings and reporting in partnership with external experts, including annual payroll filings (Canada and US), SR&ED claims, 409A valuations, and corporate tax returns. Review and deliver monthly external reports, including investor and compliance reporting Coordinate the annual financial statement audit and act as a key contact for external auditors. Seek out and leverage AI-driven solutions to optimize accounting workflows and continuously improve processes that scale the team’s impact. What you bring: CPA designation with 7+ years of progressive experience in a tech, SaaS, or high-growth scale-up environment Strong analytical mindset with a track record of identifying gaps, proposing solutions, and driving impactful improvements 5+ years of people leadership experience, with the ability to motivate, develop, and hold teams accountable to high standards Proven experience managing the month-end and year-end close processes for a multi-entity, multi-currency organization Familiarity with Canadian and US payroll standards, with hands-on experience preparing and reviewing payroll across both jurisdictions. Excellent communication and storytelling skills, able to translate financial insights into business impact for non-financial stakeholders A high degree of ownership, integrity, and attention to detail, balanced with pragmatism and speed - you build trust quickly, work cross-functionally with ease, and remain composed under pressure Growth-oriented mindset,  curious, resourceful, and committed to continuous improvement for both yourself and the business It’d be even cooler if you had: Experience with major ERP systems (NetSuite is highly desirable) Experience working in the SaaS industry Compensation The base compensation range for this position is CAD $120,000 - CAD $180,000. This range reflects the full growth path for the role, from building core skills to accomplished performance, through to role mastery. We typically target the accomplished level when hiring externally. At this level, individuals bring relevant experience in the role, demonstrate strong job-related skills, operate with confidence and consistency, and are able to deliver impact with limited ramp-up while still having meaningful opportunities to grow. Compensation at 7shifts is performance and growth-driven. As you develop your skills and expand your impact over time, your compensation grows with you. Your specific placement within this range is based on your job-related skills, knowledge, and experience, as well as our internal equity assessment. We are always happy to discuss our approach throughout the hiring process. Our commitment to our Shifties: Opportunity: Our product is evolving in exciting ways, and we’re focused on delivering even more value to restaurants. This momentum creates real opportunities to learn and grow. Whether you’re honing your craft or exploring new paths, you’ll be supported and empowered to own your growth and impact a product shaping the future of the restaurant industry. Challenge: We’re tackling real problems in a fast-moving, complex industry. The work is scrappy and ambiguous, but meaningful. You’ll think critically, act with intention, and shape solutions that make a real difference for restaurant teams. Culture: We’re proud to be recognized among the best workplaces in North America. Guided by our mission and values, we move fast to solve meaningful problems and celebrate wins together. Whether through in-office and remote events, team offsites like Sparks, or everyday moments of connection, we create space for shared growth, collaboration, and fun. Equity: We’re a Series C, VC-backed SaaS company, and we believe everyone should share in the success they help create. When we build together, we grow together. Health and Wellness: We support Shifties in and outside of work, knowing that what people need can change over time. From day one, you’ll have access to benefits like health and dental, lifestyle spending accounts to a parental leave program built with flexibility in mind, to help you bring your best self to work. Flexibility: Our team is intentional around how and where we work, whether remotely, in person, or a mix of both. We prioritize candidates who thrive in a hybrid work environment with offices in Saskatoon and Toronto, ensuring in-person collaboration and connection when possible. Plus, we offer a flexible vacation policy to encourage everyone to recharge when needed. Oh, and our ‘90 Day Shift’ program lets Shift work from (almost) anywhere because who wouldn’t want to trade their desk for a beach view once in a while? Support: We set Shifties up for success with the tools they need, like the latest Apple tech, a home office setup, and some 7shifts swag to make it official. But support goes beyond day one. We’re serious about professional growth, offering coaching, feedback, development planning, and opportunities to grow from within. We know you might not check every box, and that’s okay. If you’re excited about this role, inspired to contribute to a meaningful product, and eager to share ideas that drive real change, we’d love to hear from you. We’re building an inclusive team that reflects the diverse industry we serve, and we welcome applicants from all backgrounds. We thank you for your interest in joining the 7shifts team! Our privacy policy can be found here.