Finance Manager - AP & AR

Sun Gro Horticulture is one of the most prominent North American horticultural companies, employing over 800 staff and serving customers worldwide. Since its humble beginnings in 1929, it has become the leading supplier of soilless growing mixes to North America’s top 100 greenhouse and nursery growers, shipping over 70,000 truckloads of product annually. Sun Gro products are made to exacting standards and conform to high product quality and performance criteria.

Sun Gro Horticulture recognizes that its success is due to the strength of its employees. The primary goal of Sun Gro® is to promote individual employees’ sense of accomplishment and contribution so that employees enjoy their association with Sun Gro Horticulture. The Company invests in its employees so that they are the most knowledgeable in the industry, and undertakes great efforts to nurture loyalty to, and teamwork at, Sun Gro.

GENERAL SUMMARY:  The Finance Manager, AP & AR leads the Accounts Receivable and Accounts Payable function, ensuring collections, credit cases, customer management, vendor management, full O2C and P2P functions are handled according to company policy while supporting repayment growth goals. This role oversees vendor invoicing, inquiries, reconciliation, month end reporting, accruals, customer payments, Supervisor, Credit Analysts and cash application processes, improves team efficiency through process and staffing changes, and fosters collaboration and strong working relationships. Attention to detail, organization, and leadership are critical due to the high impact of errors and the department’s role in achieving company-wide financial objectives.

This role is fully onsite in Mississauga. 

Compensation Range - 100,000-130,000

BENEFITS:

• Health Insurance (includes telemedicine, virtual health, FSA, HCSA & other benefits)

• Dental Insurance

• Vision Insurance

• Life Insurance

• Health Spending Account

• Employee Support and Mental Wellness

• Short-term disability

• RRSP Matching

• Paid vacation

• Floating days

• Employee Assistance Program

• Employee Engagement Events

• Awards and Recognition

• Tuition Reimbursement

• Service Awards

• Employee Perks & Discounts

ESSENTIAL POSITION FUNCTIONS:
Accounts Receivable

• The Accounts Receivable Manager is responsible for leading credit and collections activities to optimize cash flow, minimize financial risk, and support company profitability.
• This role oversees collections, credit risk management, cash application, reporting, and team leadership while ensuring compliance with company policies and regulatory requirements.
• Key responsibilities include developing and executing effective collection strategies, managing customer credit evaluations and limits, and maintaining strong customer relationships to reduce late payments and bad debt.
• The AR Manager prepares and presents financial reports and cash projections to senior leadership and the board, providing insights that support strategic decision-making.
• The role also focuses on continuous process improvement, policy development, and operational efficiency within credit and collections.
• The AR Manager leads, develops, and mentors the AR team, ensuring performance goals, budgets, and departmental milestones are consistently met or exceeded.
• Additional responsibilities include managing EDC insurance programs, supporting key account onboarding, ensuring accurate customer documentation and tax compliance across the U.S. and Canada, and responding to ad hoc reporting and management requests. Occasional U.S. travel is required.

Accounts Payable

• Process and review vendor invoices accurately, ensuring proper coding, approvals, and compliance with company policies
• Manage payment cycles, including ACH, wire, and check payments, while adhering to established deadlines
• Reconcile vendor statements and resolve invoice discrepancies and payment issues in a timely manner
• Maintain accurate accounts payable records and supporting documentation
• Assist with cash flow planning by managing payment schedules and forecasts
• Ensure compliance with tax regulations, including sales tax, VAT, and withholding requirements as applicable
• Support month-end and year-end close processes, including AP accruals and reconciliations
• Prepare accounts payable reports, aging analyses, and ad hoc financial reports for management
• Collaborate with procurement, finance, and other departments to streamline AP processes
• Maintain and update vendor master data, ensuring accuracy and completeness
• Support internal and external audits by providing required documentation and explanations
• Identify process improvement opportunities to increase efficiency and internal controls
• Lead the recruitment, onboarding, training, and ongoing development of team members to drive performance and engagement Month-end and other requirements
• Prepare ad hoc financial reports and analyses to support management and business decision-making
• Assist the Director of Accounting in preparing responses to IA audit report comments and findings and follow up about their completion with different team
• Assist in preparation of paperwork for corporate income taxes related to Canadian entities
• Complete monthly sales tax return filing for Canadian business and do sales tax reconciliation
• Oversee month-end close activities for Accounts Payable and Accounts Receivable, including the preparation, review, and approval of accruals to ensure accurate financial reporting.
• Ensure timely and accurate month-end accruals for AP and AR, reconciling balances and resolving variances in compliance with accounting standards
• Oversee fixed assets, lease accounting, and capital project accounting, ensuring accurate capitalization, depreciation, compliance, and financial reporting

Qualifications

• CPA preferred
• Travel when required (including to the U.S.)
• Strong customer and stakeholder focus, with the ability to balance customer needs against business priorities while promoting a service-oriented mindset
• Demonstrated fact-based decision-making skills, using data and analysis to solve problems and support sound business decisions
• Proven ability to plan effectively by setting clear, measurable goals, anticipating challenges, and adjusting plans to achieve successful outcomes
• Change leadership capability, including clear communication of initiatives, removal of obstacles, and engaging the right stakeholders to drive adoption
• Strong execution and accountability skills, monitoring progress against goals while coordinating efforts across teams and functions
• Continuous improvement mindset, fostering an environment that challenges the status quo and eliminates non-value-added activities
• Solid understanding of Accounts Payable, Accounts Receivable, Credit, and Collections functions and their integration with broader finance and operational teams
• Effective coaching and people development skills, with the ability to assess talent, provide constructive feedback, and support employee growth and performance
• Ability to provide clear direction by defining roles, responsibilities, objectives, and KPIs, and tracking performance against expectations
• Strong leadership and motivational skills, creating an inclusive environment that inspires accountability, collaboration, and high performance
• Commitment to teamwork, valuing diverse perspectives and encouraging cross-functional collaboration while minimizing silos
• Well-developed business process orientation, ensuring alignment of finance operations with corporate strategies