Finance Manager

COMMUNITY LIVING – FORT ERIE

POSITION TITLE: Finance Manager

LOCATION OF POSITION: Administration

TITLE OF IMMEDIATE SUPERVISOR: Executive Director

PURPOSE OF POSITION:  Under the general direction and supervision of the Executive Director, the Finance Manager provides strategic and operational leadership for the financial management of Community Living – Fort Erie (CLFE). The Finance Manager is responsible for the overall financial health, integrity, sustainability, and accountability of the organization. This includes financial planning, budgeting, accounting, financial reporting, payroll, cash-flow management, funding compliance, internal controls, risk management, audit coordination, and financial policy development. The Finance Manager provides financial expertise and advice to the Executive Director, Senior Management Team, managers, and Board of Directors to support sound decision-making, responsible resource allocation, effective cost management, organizational sustainability, and the achievement of CLFE's vision, mission, and strategic priorities. The Finance Manager ensures that financial practices comply with applicable legislation, Ministry requirements, funding agreements, accounting standards, regulatory requirements, and CLFE policies and procedures.

Recruitment Transparency

Community Living – Fort Erie does not use artificial intelligence or automated decision-making tools to screen or assess applicants. All applications are reviewed by human hiring teams within Community Living – Fort Erie. This posting is intended to fill an upcoming vacancy resulting from the retirement of the current incumbent.

STATEMENT OF MAJOR RESPONSIBILTIES:

• The Finance Manager works under the general supervision of and is accountable to the Executive Director. Major decisions and those involving policies are referred to the Executive Director with recommended solutions.
• In collaboration with the Senior Management Team, identify and/or confirm organizational goals and objectives and support the Association's vision through values-driven leadership to achieve success in terms of quality service, sound financial stewardship, organizational sustainability, and responsible growth.
• Provide financial leadership, advice, and recommendations to the Executive Director, Senior Management Team, managers, and Board of Directors to support informed decision-making, effective resource allocation, financial sustainability, and organizational planning.
• Supervise and provide leadership, direction, coaching, and support to the Financial Office Assistant and other finance-related staff, as applicable.
• Participate in committee meetings, strategic planning, special project planning, Senior Management Team meetings, and other ad hoc meetings as required.
• Responsible for planning, developing, organizing, implementing, and directing financial services in accordance with applicable legislation, MCCSS requirements, funding agreements, and CLFE established policies and procedures.
• Responsible for the overall management and day-to-day operations of the Finance Department.
• Promote and ensure the organization's Human Rights Statement and Commitment is followed and respected in all financial and organizational practices.
• Ensure all bookkeeping and accounting functions are carried out accurately, efficiently, and in a timely manner.
• Oversee the General Ledger, ensuring all transactions are accurately recorded, supporting documentation is complete, entries are authorized, and financial records are maintained appropriately.
• Lead month-end and year-end financial processes, ensuring financial records are accurate, complete, reconciled, and finalized within established timelines.
• Ensure payroll is processed and monitored in an accurate, secure, and effective manner.
• Ensure monthly, quarterly, and annual financial reports are prepared accurately and on a timely basis and are acceptable to the Executive Director, Board of Directors, various funding bodies, regulatory authorities, and other external stakeholders.
• Prepare and/or oversee all required remittances & returns, including the Annual Information, Charities Information Return, WSIB Reconciliations, T4s, T4 Summaries, and other statutory and regulatory filings.
• Manage all receivables, including grants, pledges, donations, taxes recoverable, contract income, rental income, insurance claims, and other receivables, and ensure appropriate follow-up on overdue accounts.
• Reconcile all bank accounts on a monthly basis and submit completed bank reconciliations to the Executive Director for review and random verification.
• Monitor organizational cash flow and provide financial forecasts to support effective short- and long-term financial planning.
• Be responsible for ensuring adequate and competitive insurance coverage is maintained for the agency and coordinate insurance renewals, claims, and related financial requirements.
• Assist all departmental managers with annual planning and budgeting, consolidate the annual organizational budgets, and prepare the budget for review and approval by the Executive Director and Board of Directors.
• Prepare monthly and periodic financial reports for the Executive Director and Board of Directors and submit required reports, including bingo, tax, statistics, insurance, WSIB, funding, and other reports, to external bodies as required.
• Review monthly financial reports with members of the management team and ensure that all significant budget variances are identified, investigated, corrected where appropriate, and brought to the attention of the Executive Director.
• Monitor program and departmental expenditures and provide financial guidance to managers to support effective budget management and responsible use of organizational resources.
• Monitor funding allocations and ensure expenditures are consistent with approved budgets, funding agreements, and applicable funding requirements.
• Ensure compliance with MCCSS requirements, funding agreements, applicable legislation, regulatory requirements, and CLFE policies and procedures.
• Prepare and submit required financial reports, claims, schedules, and supporting documentation to funding bodies and other external organizations.
• Liaise with external auditors and prepare for and coordinate the requirements of the annual audit.
• Maintain accurate and complete financial records and supporting documentation required for audits, funding claims, compliance reviews, and organizational reporting.
• Review audit findings and recommendations with the Executive Director and ensure appropriate follow-up and corrective action is completed.
• Establish, monitor, and strengthen effective internal financial controls to ensure the accuracy and integrity of financial information and to protect organizational assets.
• When requested, prepare reports for the Executive Director and managers highlighting internal control functions and proposing cost-effective measures that will strengthen internal controls without compromising productivity, service quality, or efficiency.
• Ensure appropriate financial authorization, approval, documentation, reconciliation, and segregation-of-duties processes are maintained.
• Identify and implement opportunities to improve financial systems, accounting processes, reporting, technology, and operational efficiency.
• Provide training and guidance to staff and managers in accounting, budgeting, financial procedures, internal controls, and financial accountability.
• Maintain the organization's Pay Equity program and supporting documentation.
• Provide financial analysis, forecasts, and recommendations to support organizational sustainability, strategic planning, and long-term financial decision-making.
• Assist the Executive Director with financial planning and evaluation of new programs, projects, contracts, capital expenditures, and other initiatives as required.
• Maintain professional relationships with external auditors, financial institutions, insurers, funding agencies, government representatives, and other external stakeholders.
• Maintain confidentiality and security of all financial, employee, organizational, and personal information.
• Be knowledgeable of and comply with CLFE's policies, procedures, collective agreement requirements, applicable legislation, funding requirements, and regulatory standards relevant to the position.
• Maintain current knowledge of accounting standards, financial management practices, government funding requirements, legislation, and regulatory requirements affecting the organization.

QUALIFICATION CRITERIA:

• A recognized accounting designation, such as Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA), is strongly preferred.
• A university degree, college diploma, or equivalent post-secondary education in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, or a related discipline is required.
• A minimum of five (5) years of progressive experience in accounting and financial management, including demonstrated responsibility for financial operations, budgeting, financial reporting, and organizational financial planning.
• Demonstrated experience working with government-funded programs, funding agreements, grants, and compliance reporting is strongly preferred.
• Experience within a not-for-profit, publicly funded, healthcare, developmental services, social services, or community services organization is considered a significant asset.
• Knowledge of the financial and reporting requirements associated with the Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services (MCCSS) and other applicable funding bodies is preferred.
• Knowledge of applicable Ontario legislation and regulatory requirements relevant to the position, including Occupational Health and Safety requirements, WSIB, employment standards, privacy, and other applicable legislation.

Salary Range: $84,000 - $98,000 annually

Accommodation Statement: We are an equal opportunity employer committed to fostering an inclusive and accessible workplace. Accommodations are available upon request throughout the recruitment and selection process.