Project Controller - Land Development Real Estate

Project Controller – Land Development Real Estate

Location:

Greater Toronto Area

Harbinger Network is proud to partner with a well‑established and highly respected real estate land development organization that has been thoughtfully shaping sustainable, master‑planned communities across Southern Ontario for more than four decades. Known for its long‑term vision, disciplined execution, and collaborative culture, this organization is driven by a philosophy that balances environmental stewardship with value creation—bringing life to land and building communities designed to stand the test of time.

As Project Controller, you will assume a senior leadership role responsible for the accounting, financial reporting, and cash management of a portfolio of real estate land development projects. Reporting directly to the Chief Financial Officer, you will lead and mentor a team of accounting professionals while partnering closely with Finance & Planning and Project Management teams to develop a deep understanding of project performance.

This role requires the ability to operate at both a strategic and hands‑on level, with a strong mandate to continuously evaluate, enhance, and modernize processes, systems, and controls.

• Lead, mentor, and manage a team of accounts payable coordinators, general accountants, and project accountants, supporting professional development and performance excellence.
• Oversee the full accounting cycle for all assigned projects, ensuring accuracy, completeness, and timeliness of financial records and reporting.
• Review, investigate, and resolve data anomalies, ensuring strong internal controls and data integrity.
• Review and approve externally prepared year‑end financial statements, coordinating with external auditors and advisors as required.
• Review and approve internally prepared year‑end financial statements and investor stub‑period reporting, including all supporting working papers.
• Oversee payroll administration using ADP, including onboarding and offboarding, vacation and time‑off balances, statutory remittances, benefits, pensions, WSIB, EHT, and preparation of T4s and taxable benefits.
• Review and approve monthly cheque runs and bank loan draws.
• Manage banking relationships, financing lines, loans, letters of credit, investments, and cash balances, providing recommendations on financing requirements.
• Prepare and recommend investor cash calls and distributions, as required.
• Review and approve government reporting and tax compliance, including HST filings, and manage CRA inquiries and audits.
• Partner closely with Project Managers to address project‑specific financial matters and support informed decision‑making.
• Collaborate with the Senior Finance Manager to support investor management reporting and quarterly cash flow budgets.
• Foster strong collaboration between Accounting and Finance & Planning teams to ensure timely sharing of information impacting project financials.
• Oversee ongoing corporate maintenance activities, including entity setup, dissolutions, and amalgamations.
• Respond to investor inquiries and support ad hoc reporting requests.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives, including the evaluation and implementation of AI‑enabled tools to enhance efficiency, controls, and reporting quality.
• Contribute to special projects and perform other duties as assigned.

• CPA designation required (preference for candidates with a legacy CA background).
• University degree in Business, Accounting, or a related discipline.
• Minimum of 3–5 years of progressive experience in corporate accounting and financial management.
• Demonstrated people management and team leadership experience.
• Strong knowledge of Canadian federal and provincial financial reporting and compliance requirements.

• Experience with in the real estate land development industry.
• Hands‑on payroll experience, with ADP payroll experience considered an asset.
• Experience supporting multi‑entity, project‑based accounting environments.
• Strong interest in leveraging technology and AI to modernize finance and accounting processes.

Harbinger Network…