Senior Controller

Are you a hands-on finance leader who enjoys bringing structure, clarity, and practical financial insights to a growing organization?

The Jenkins Group of Companies is a forward-thinking organization dedicated to driving sustainable growth and long-term financial stability across its diverse portfolio of companies. While best known for its leadership in senior living, the group has grown into a diversified organization united by a shared commitment to enhancing the lives of seniors and children.

It provides a continuum of services spanning retirement living, long-term care, early childhood education and care, operating lifestyle residences, care communities, and childcare centres across Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island.

Its portfolio includes The Berkeley Retirement Residences, Wolfville Nursing Home, Evergreen Home for Special Care, The Mount Continuing Care Community, and four Tiny Tot Early Years Centres in Charlottetown and Summerside, PEI. This people-first foundation is complemented by strategic investments in medical centres, commercial and residential property holdings, and Libra Financial, a debtor-in-possession financing company, supporting the group's continued growth and long-term vision.The group is built on a passion for providing support and care to the community, which is exemplified by their compassionate team of employees.

Their culture is grounded in the importance of belonging to a community, and its positive impact on happiness and overall wellness for all stakeholders. Relationships are built on collaboration, understanding, and continued drive for growth and success.

Reporting to the Owner of the Jenkins Group and working closely with the Senior Leadership Team, the Senior Controller will provide practical support and financial guidance to the group. This role combines a hands-on, tactical approach to accounting, complemented by a thoughtful and supportive approach when assessing or implementing financial plans and strategies.

The successful candidate will be adept at understanding the business and the key drivers behind financial results, will demonstrate a proactive approach to streamlining accounting processes and will excel at translating financial information into clear, actionable insights to support decision-making.

How you’ll contribute to the group’s success

Core financial execution

• Maintain direct responsibility for the financial management and reporting of each entity within the group of companies, including oversight of day-to-day accounting activities (AP, AR, payroll, and general ledger)
• Lead monthly and year-end close processes, including preparation and review of financial statements and supporting reconciliations
• Oversee tax-related activities, including ensuring timely and accurate remittances (e.g., payroll, HST) and ensuring completeness and accuracy of supporting records.
• Manage cash flow, budgeting and forecasting activities, including monitoring performance, digging into, and explaining key variances
• Establish and maintain robust financial controls and disciplined accounting practices across entities

Leadership and continuous improvement

• Provide leadership, oversight, and guidance to accounting staff, promoting alignment in financial practices, expectations and team execution
• Lead the optimization and modernization of financial systems, processes, and reporting by driving automation, enhancing system integration, and leveraging BI and data analytics to improve data accessibility, standardize cross-entity frameworks, and deliver more timely, reliable, and insight-driven financial information· Act as the key liaison between finance and operations, partnering with the leadership team (including site General Managers) to interpret financial results and translate insights into practical, operational actions and improvement plans.
• Manage deliverables of external advisors regarding legal, tax, lending, acquisitions, and other complex matters

The education, qualifications, and experience you’ll bring to the table

• Experience working within an owner-operated or entrepreneurial environment, with the ability to operate flexibly, take initiative, and adapt to evolving business needs
• Bachelor’s degree in business administration, commerce, or similar with a major in accounting, finance, or another related field
• A recognized professional accounting designation (e.g., CPA or equivalent) coupled with strong business acumen
• 5–7 years of progressive post-designation experience, with a track record of progressive responsibility, and effective team oversight with focused learning and experience in management accounting
• Demonstrated experience in full-cycle accounting, including financial reporting, with a willingness and ability to remain hands-on in day-to-day activities
• Experience working closely with operational leaders, with the ability to explain financial information in practical, non-technical terms
• Proven ability to analyse financial results, identify trends, and translate insights into operational recommendations
• Experience with the implementation, enhancement, or upgrade of accounting systems and their integration with other non-financial platforms
• Strong leadership skills with a collaborative and supportive approach to managing and guiding teams
• Experience in retirement living, healthcare, or service-based organizations is preferred

What success looks like

• A strong ability to understand the story behind the numbers, proactively identifying trends, inefficiencies, and opportunities for improvement
• Processes and reporting are consistently strengthened through standardization, technology, and practical improvements that enhance efficiency and data quality
• Leadership and team members feel supported, guided, and empowered, with a focus on collaboration, accountability, and development
• Demonstrates a genuine curiosity in the business, taking the initiative to understand operations, key drivers, and emerging issues to better inform decisions and add value beyond core financial responsibilities.
• You maintain a hands-on approach, confidently stepping into the details when needed, while balancing broader oversight across multiple entities
• You are comfortable working within an owner-operated environment, demonstrating adaptability, initiative, and dependability, with an understanding that the role will remain hands-on while future growth opportunities evolve alongside the business.

The Jenkins Group of Companies (Berkeley Holdings Ltd.) believes in fostering a close-knit atmosphere, where every team member is valued and supported. The successful candidate will share common values of supporting others – from colleagues to residents – to make the lives of others better around them.

If you’re a passionate finance professional looking to take the next step in your career, we want to hear from you. Qualified applicants are asked to submit a resume and cover letter to Doane Grant Thornton LLP citing “Senior Controller – Jenkins Group” in the subject line.

We appreciate all expressed interest in this position; however, only the candidates selected for interview will be contacted. No phone calls please.

We encourage and consider applications from all qualified individuals regardless or race, religion, color, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, country of origin, disability, or those in other minority groups. All qualified individuals are encouraged to apply; however, Canadian Citizens and Permanent Residents will be given priority.

Benefits

• Dental care
• Extended health care

Ability to commute/relocate

• Halifax, NS: reliably commute or plan to relocate before starting work (required)

Education

• Secondary School (preferred)

Work Location: In person