Dennis Celej

Analytical and detail orientated Controller who has vast experience in overseeing all aspects of a company’s financial and accounting functions. Extensive knowledge and strong background in accounting principles, budgeting, forecasting,  performance reporting, tax returns, financial planning, and audit procedures. Results-driven team-oriented leader whose accomplishments reflect superior business acumen, financial development skills, and demonstrated commitment to organizational growth. Expert in analyzing existing operations and implementing effective systems, strategies, and processes to improve organizational performance and profitability. 

I have been employed by several global manufacturing companies. I added skill and experience from Transport, Pharmaceutical, and Leasing/Financial Solutions companies. 

• SAP / HFM /  BPICS / QAD / Epicor / Dynamics GP / PRMS 10
• Financial Analysis and Reporting
•  Forecast, Budgeting & Planning
• Variance Analysis
• Inventory Analysis
• ASPE / IFRS / GAAP / SOX
• Operations Management
• Standard Cost
• P&L Management
• Project Costing
• Manufacturing Accounting
• Manage Cash Flow
• Inventory Control

FAAC Group-HUB Parking Technology Canada (Public, $6M Revenue, Smart Parking Solutions)                                     

Controller | February 2021 – October 27 2025

Responsible for all aspects of the Controllership role, Canada legal entity

Responsible for financial reporting, forecast and budget, financial commentary, sales and margin analysis, ensuring the integrity of the financial reporting system, and accounting process enhancement. Manage an AP clerk, an AR clerk

• Direct monthly, quarterly, and annual close process, ensuring account balances are accurate and align with internal controls.
• Create and use Manufacturing Accounting analysis to measure Operations performance.
• Measure and report Project Revenue Recognition, Percent of Completion under ASPE.
• Create long term plans, budgets, forecasts, actual, with related analysis and commentary.
• Develop and implement Canada credit policy.
• Manage CAD and USD cash flows and bank relationships.
• Report inventory by category (RM WIP FG), and by supplier.
• Correct SAP transaction posting errors. Determine root causes of AP/AR errors and develop corrective action.
• Replace HUB Tax Consultant with a regional CPA firm.

Radiant Global Logistics (Canada) (Public, +$100M Revenue, 3rd party logistics and multimodal transport services)

Assistant Controller | May 2019 – September 2020 – 15 month maternity leave contract

Responsible for Transport financial reporting, ensuring integrity of the financial reporting system, and accounting processes enhancement.

Prepared and presented monthly management statements, including variance analysis. Analyzed past results, identified trends, and prepared commentary for effective management of the Transport division. Produce insightful operating reports such as sales and gross margin analysis by Customer. Established and monitored compliance with operating financial management policies, procedures, and internal controls.

• Prepared monthly statements, reported actual results, with variances, to budget and to prior year, plus commentary.
• Successfully communicated to senior managers why actual business activity did not match budget or forecast.
• Documented critical work product process.
• Migrated payroll accounting work from Finance to Human Resources. Trained Human Resource employee to perform bi-weekly accounting work, and produce journal entries.
• Calculated Business Development Manager Commissions.

Alectra Utilities, Brampton Hydro (Private, Utility)

Supervisor, Accounting | April 2018 March 2019

Responsible for Brampton Hydro accounting processes, enhancements, and support Brampton Hydro integration into the ALECTRA Utility family.

Improved and simplified month-end closing process, enhancing financial credibility. Managed General Ledger, including activities such as reconciliation and balancing of accounts to various subsystems while assuring proper operation of internal controls. Led team effort to cleanse balance sheet accounts and invoice customers before moving the trial balance to JD Edwards. Establish and maintain internal control procedures and ensure that accounting standards were met. Manage three direct reports.

• Discovered and reported an error in the JD Edwards ERP system. Communicated to management, and IT, the five to six figure refund errors. IT confirmed a crucial multiplier contained the wrong value. Multiplier was reset and the refunds reversed.

De Lage Landen Financial Services Canada, Inc., (Public, Leasing and Financial Solutions)

Financial Controller | May 2016 – July 2017 – 15 month maternity leave contract

Responsible for general ledger, financial accounting, financial reporting, audits, and accounting process controls.

Produced Balance Sheet, P&L, and Overhead expense reports. Oversaw month-end closing of General Ledger. Analyzed financial performance versus forecast and plan, investigated significant variances, and communicated findings to senior management. Enhanced reporting from workbooks containing v-lookup functions and pivot tables. Taught and trained staff to identify and implement efficient work methods and practices. Managed three direct reports

• Ascertained root cause of CCA calculation error within the Infolease software package, communicated the issue to CFO, and my solution was accepted and implemented.
• Reduced time required for month-end close by at least one day and provided extra time for management review to meet corporate deadlines.
• Successfully located foreign exchange dollar amount movement and managed to reconcile and solve unexplained variances.
• Documented Tax Return process and calculations, from Infolease data and financials to T2 return

Ranbaxy Pharmaceuticals Canada, Inc., (Public, $65M Revenue, Market and Distribute Generic Pharmaceuticals)       

Manager, Financial Accounting | March 2009 – February 2016

Responsible for general ledger, financial accounting, financial reporting, tax returns, audits, risk and insurance, accounting policies and procedures, and variance analysis.

Reported under Canada ASPE, US GAAP, India GAAP, and IFRS to execute controller function over Ranbaxy Canada. Enforced inventory cycle count procedure and extended accounting approval for all cycle count adjustments. Key liaison for external auditors, corporate tax specialists, and transfer price specialists. Manage a General Accountant.

• Directed monthly, quarterly, and annual close process, ensuring account balances were accurate and aligned with internal controls.
• Upgraded finance reporting from excel workbooks to EPM reporting and reduced days required for month-end close; created more time to ensure financial results were complete and correct.
• Reduced time required for month-end close (zero headcount reduction), as well as number of questions from External Auditors, and achieved zero material audit issues.
• Implemented SAP and BI for Canada legal entity.
• Implemented J-SOX program and ensured effective procedures and controls.
• Measured slow moving inventory, forecast cost impact of expiring product, and disclosed to management.
• Determined root cause of unauthorized product cost changes and posted correcting entries.
• Reduced annual and quarterly audit fees. Identified a full service chartered accountant firm to perform equivalent audit and review service at a reduced cost.

Additional Experience

Controller, Selkirk Corporation, Stoney Creek ON, 2007 – 2008

Full scope Controller functions over 3 US and 1 Mexico manufacturing facilities

• Heat Fab acquisition. Reviewed accounting, sales and bill of materials before and after business purchase date. Identified and reported the root causes of lower operating margin.
• Implemented revised inventory cycle count process.
• Responsible for accurate and complete product standard cost.

Corporate Financial Accountant, Faurecia Automotive Seating Inc., Mississauga ON, 2003 – 2007

Metal Business Unit North America. Consolidate and validate plant Controller reporting.

• Prepared Metal Business Unit flash, actual, forecast and budget for North America, and French reporting. 
• Reviewed, questioned and validated Plant Controller forecasts.
• Prepared financials for a new seat frame plant. Commented on variances from Plant Plan cost to Actual cost.
• Responsible for capital and tooling FAR’s control.

Controller, Stanley Canada Inc., Toronto and Burlington ON, 1997 – 2002

Full scope Controller functions for Stanley Bostitch Canada unit. Manufacturing facility and 3 distribution centers

• Met cost saving targets by applying Kaizen and lean methodologies. 
• Stanley Beach. Analysis of their manufacturing process to identify idle time within individual departments and recommend a decrease in tool chest, and tool cabinet, product offerings to drive increased factory profitability.

LEAR CORPORATION                                                                                                              1988 – 1996                                        

Lear Corporation is a fully integrated manufacturer of the entire automotive seating system.

Cost and Financial Accountant, Oakville ON                                                           1993 – 1996

• Implemented standard cost and general accounting for the new JIT assembly facility.
• Implemented Lear financial and performance reporting systems for a new JIT assembly facility and product.
• Targeted and analyzed profitability issues, such as supplier prices and foreign exchange rates to support recommendations made to the controller and senior management
• Controlled the integrity and accuracy of the material cost structure, income statement and inventory value.
• Responsible for exceeding cost saving targets.
• Responsible for budget and stretch targets.

General Accounting Manager, Whitby ON                                                               1992 – 1993

• Solved outstanding receivable issue. Customer payment was not matched to outstanding invoices. Implemented a new process and re-trained staff to eliminate errors.
• Identified errors in the accounting for GST. Implemented a new process and re-trained staff to eliminate the errors.
• Management representative on the Workplace Health and Safety Committee.

General Accountant, Kitchener, ON                                                                        1988 – 1992

• Created Excel workbooks to replace manual book ledgers. Cut time to record transactions. Cut time to generate month end reports by 50%.
• Performed cash management and treasury functions of the Canadian operations.
• Responsible for tooling and capital accounting
• Prepared month end and periodic reports for management.
• Prepared schedules for Auditors

Chartered Professional Accountants of Ontario, 2014

CPA Ontario

Pre-Merger - The Society of Management Accountants of Ontario, 1988 

CMA - Certified Management Accountant

Bachelor of Business Administration, 1984 
Sir Wilfrid Laurier University, Waterloo ON