Finance Manager - Contract (Maternity Leave Cover)

At Keywords, we are using our passion for games, technology and media to create a global services platform for video games and beyond. Our aim is to become the “go to” provider of technical services.

We enable leading content creators and publishers to leverage our expertise and capacity across the lifecycle of interactive content. In so doing we empower our clients to remain lean and agile, and to focus on creating the most engaging experiences.

Keywords is trusted and relied upon by many of the world’s leading video game companies to work alongside them during concept, development and live operations by leveraging the breadth and depth of our industry leading service lines every step of the way.

The Finance Manager is an important role within our evolving Finance organization. Serving as a key pillar of the Finance Excellence program, you will act as the primary anchor for financial integrity across the Americas. Reporting to the Director of Accounting, you will directly lead a team of up to two to ensure that all legal entities remain fully compliant with statutory requirements while delivering accurate, timely management reporting.

This role is at the heart of our transformation. Following the optimization of core OTC and P2P processes, you will ensure high standards of service delivery and drive continuous process improvement. Beyond the ledger, you will support regional FP&A activities—including budgeting and forecasting—and champion strategic initiatives such as system implementations and legal entity rationalization. We are looking for a collaborative leader and a CPA who can act as a trusted partner, managing risk while creating the financial stability that allows our business to grow.

The Finance Manager, will direct and develop the Controlling team in the Americas Location and ensure delivery of the following key activities:

 Controlling Service Delivery

• Statutory Reporting: Direct the timely production of entity-level statutory financial statements under Local GAAP, ensuring absolute accuracy and integrity.
• Management Reporting: Support the Finance leadership in the Americas in preparing monthly, quarterly, and annual actuals for regional management accounts.
• GAAP Conversion: Manage the reconciliation and conversion between Group GAAP (IFRS) and Local GAAP.
• Financial Integrity: Lead activities to attest to statement accuracy, including periodic controls testing and rigorous balance sheet documentation.
• Balance Sheet Governance: Oversee balance sheet reconciliations and lead any required remediation.
• Cash Management: Drive cash flow forecasting and manage working capital targets (DSO) in collaboration with Divisional and operational teams to optimize cash conversion.
• Technical Expertise: Provide regional accounting expertise to ensure compliance with global policies and governing processes.
• Tax & Audit: Partner with the Tax team on VAT and Corporate Tax submissions (including 1099s/regulatory filings) and manage relationships with internal/external auditors.
• Performance Analysis: Perform ad-hoc trend and variance analysis to provide Finance leadership with actionable insights for decision-making.

Finance Operations and Process Excellence

• Partner with operational team leaders to stabilize and optimize established P2P and O2C processes.
• Service Optimization: Monitor operational service delivery, resolving escalations and identifying opportunities for continuous process improvement.

Controlling Projects and Initiatives

• Finance Excellence: Contribute to regional growth and standardization projects, ensuring local / statutory requirements are embedded in new system and process designs.
• Entity Rationalization: Participate in strategic projects to simplify the regional legal entity structure and manage subsequent rationalization activities.

Finance Team Management and Collaboration

• People Leadership: Provide daily oversight and mentorship to the team, reviewing outputs to ensure accuracy and deadline adherence.
• Best Practice: Collaborate within the Americas team to share improvements and champion the "Finance Excellence" vision.
• Strategic Alignment: Act as a trusted partner within the Global Finance team to create value, manage risk, and champion business growth.

This is an important ‘anchor’ role in the Finance organization that requires strong accounting expertise, an ability to manage relationships and positively influence change. To be successful in the role it is expected that you will possess:

• Professional Designation: CPA (Chartered Professional Accountant) or equivalent qualification is required.
• Experience: 5+ years of progressive experience within a Global Finance function, including a proven track record of managing and developing direct reports.
• Technical knowledge: A comprehensive understanding of Controlling processes, internal controls, and the ability to navigate both Local GAAP and IFRS.
• Compliance & Audit Savvy: Demonstrated experience in statutory reporting, tax compliance (e.g., GST, 1099s), and managing successful relationships with external auditors and tax authorities.
• Change Leadership: The confidence to spearhead process and system transitions, ensuring the enthusiastic adoption of "Finance Excellence" workflows by both Finance and non-Finance stakeholders.
• Operational Excellence: A proactive approach to managing operational finance workflows and the ability to troubleshoot and remediate complex accounting issues at the source.
• Analytical Rigor: Strong financial analysis skills with the ability to identify anomalies, spot trends, and translate data into actionable insights for Finance Leaders.
• Collaborative Mindset: An inclusive leadership style that thrives in a high-growth, global team environment.

Keywords Studios is dedicated to following a well-established Equal Opportunities Policy. We endeavor to create a workplace, which provides for equal opportunities for all employees and potential employees.

Note to Recruitment Agencies

Please be advised that Keywords Studios does not consider unsolicited resumes, or any form of contact initiated by unauthorized third parties, including recruitment or placement agencies, unless a pre-existing, valid agreement is in place. Any fees incurred by unauthorized third parties will not be compensated by Keywords Studios. 

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Role Information: EN

Studio: Keywords Studios

Location: Americas, Canada, Montreal

Area of Work: Finance

Service Line: Support Services

Employment Type: Full Time, Contract

Working Pattern: Remote