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Organization: AFTI WatchDog

Role: Controller

Location: Calgary, AB, Hybrid work environment

Address: 6023 5th Street SE, Calgary, AB

Website: https://aftiwatchdog.com

CultureSmith is proud to partner with AFTI WatchDog in the search for a new Controller. This is a high-impact leadership role ideal for someone who thrives in dynamic, growth-stage environments.

About AFTI WatchDog:

WatchDog is a private technology company transforming the way energy operators conduct their well site management through integrated software and purpose-built hardware solutions. As we scale operations, expand into new markets, and optimize recurring revenue models, we are building a finance function that enables data-driven growth and operational excellence.

They are seeking an experienced, hands-on Controller to build scalable financial infrastructure, strengthen internal controls, and support strategic decision-making during our next phase of growth.

Role Overview:

The Controller will own the company’s daily accounting operations, financial reporting, compliance, and internal controls.

This individual will play a critical role in building processes that support a hardware enabled SaaS business model involving:

Recurring SaaS revenue (ARR/MRR)
Hardware sales and inventory management
Multi-element revenue recognition
Subscription billing and customer contracts
Scaling of operations across North America

Key Responsibilities:

1. Financial Reporting & Accounting

Lead month-end, quarter-end, and year-end close processes in partnership with a team of three finance members
Ensure accurate GAAP (ASPE) compliant financial statements
Manage revenue recognition across SaaS and hardware offerings
Oversee consolidation and intercompany accounting
Assist with the preparation of board-ready financial reporting packages

2. Revenue & Cost Management

Design scalable processes for subscription billing and ARR tracking in conjunction with the Subscriptions Controller
Oversee COGS accounting, inventory valuation, and hardware margins in partnership with the Corporate Senior Analyst and Operations
Partner with operations on inventory controls and forecasting
Ensure accurate deferred revenue accounting in conjunction with the Subscriptions Controller

3. Internal Controls & Compliance

Establish and maintain internal control framework
Improve financial systems, documentation, and policies
Prepare for external audit readiness
Manage tax compliance (sales tax, income tax coordination with advisors)

4. Systems & Process Optimization

Evaluate and optimize accounting systems in coordination with the CFO
Automate manual processes to support scale
Implement financial dashboards and KPI reporting
Support integration of new tools as the company grows

5. Strategic Finance Partnership

Partner with the CFO on FP&A for budgeting and forecasting
Provide financial insights to support pricing, unit economics, and growth strategy
Assist in ad hoc transactions as they may arise
Build and mentor the accounting team

Qualifications:

Required

Bachelor’s degree in Business, Accounting or Finance
CPA (strongly preferred)
7+ years of progressive accounting experience
Experience in a SaaS or recurring revenue business
Strong knowledge of GAAP and revenue recognition
Experience with inventory and hardware accounting
Experience building processes in a growth-stage company

Preferred

Background in SaaS or subscription-based models
Experience preparing for or managing external audits
Experience with Xero accounting software; Unleashed inventory management software; Syft accounting consolidation software

Key Competencies:

Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
Ability to operate both strategically and tactically
Process-driven mindset with attention to detail
Excellent communication skills across technical and non-technical teams
Ability to thrive in ambiguity and fast-changing environments
Leadership capability with a builder mentality

What Success Looks Like (First 9 Months):

Clean, timely monthly closes (≤10 business days)
Fully documented accounting policies and internal controls
Improved visibility into ARR, hardware margins, and cash flow
Audit-ready financials
Scalable systems and processes that support 2–3x growth

Why Join AFTI WatchDog:

Opportunity to shape the finance function at a critical growth and scaling stage
Daily interaction with the CFO and direct exposure to executive leadership at our integrated facility
Meaningful impact on company strategy
Competitive compensation and professional development support
Collaborative, high-performance culture

How to Apply:

If you’re excited about building financial infrastructure that supports growth scaling in a hardware-enabled SaaS environment, we’d love to hear from you. Please submit your resume and cover letter by email or via LinkedIn:

Tony Harvie, Partner – CultureSmith

Email: tony@culturesmith.ca

AFTI WatchDog is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. They ar

About the Company

Your team used to know what mattered most. Now they're duplicating work and waiting on you to untangle competing priorities. People used to speak up. Now feedback gets whispered in hallways instead of shared in meetings. You used to trust your team to handle things. Now you feel you're either micromanaging or watching mistakes multiply when you step away. You used to know who to hire almost unconsciously. Now even the "best" people you add cause ripples for others. You didn't suddenly get worse. Your culture got more com... Know more