ABOUT YOU:
- You are an experienced CA, CGA or CPA who has managed the overall financial operations of a company including an operating budget of $7+ Million.
- You love to get involved in your company’s culture and contribute to making it stronger.
- You have the ability to communicate equally effectively to a diverse group of stakeholders from the financially savvy to the layperson about financial matters.
- You have had experience in an educational environment at a private school or for a not for profit
If these statements describe you and you also desire to work in an educational environment where work-life balance is not only valued but practised with 8 weeks off over the course of the year, then this may be the opportunity you’ve been waiting for.
ABOUT THE COMPANY:
Our client is a private faith based elementary school located in the Oak/41st Ave area of Vancouver, they are dedicated to excellence in an engaging and respectful learning environment. The school has developed a learning environment of engagement and respect and is committed to the following values:
- Providing an excellent education within an integrated program, which focuses on basic skills, independent and cooperative learning, critical thinking and creative thought;
- Providing children with an educational atmosphere conducive to their healthy social, emotional, physical and cognitive development;
- Imbuing children with the knowledge, appreciation and respect for the broad spectrum of their faith;
- Teaching children to be confident when thinking and talking about God and providing them with a foundation in their faith based values and knowledge;
- Instilling a lifelong love of learning through passionate teaching in an engaging curriculum.
Although the school is faith based in the Jewish tradition, there is no requirement for the successful incumbent to share the same faith. There is however a requirement for openness to spirituality and a faith based community culture.
ABOUT THE JOB:
This is a full time Contract role replacing the existing Controller during her medical leave for a period of 3-4 months. This contract opportunity may be available as a full time role should the current employee decide to leave the organization once her leave is up.
Reporting to the CFO, you'll be responsible for managing the school's financial operations, a $7+ Mil balanced budget and the school's Foundation. Additional responsibilities include the following:
Responsibilities:
Accounting & Cash:
- Lead all day to day operations of the finance department including budget development, analysis, accounting for investments, tracking of restricted and unrestricted donations, accounts payable, receivable, general ledger, payroll, relationship management of banks and other vendors;
- Maintain and improve appropriate internal controls for safeguard of receipt of revenue, costs, division budgets and expenditures;
- Develop annual budgets in alignment with the strategic plan and collaborate with the leadership team to develop, analyze, and review departmental budgets;
- Maintain and improve monthly and weekly financial metrics against budget;
- Monitors daily cash flow and performs treasury management functions, including optimizing interest on short-term investments, managing operating lines of credit and ensuring available foreign exchange funds
Audit & Compliance:
- Assess, manage and monitor risk related issues and recommend appropriate insurance;
- Ensure compliance with Ministry of Education Level 1 funding requirements;
- Coordinate all annual audit related activities to ensure completion by deadline;
- Implement, maintain and improve accounting policies, practices, and procedures across all programs;
- Oversee maintenance and inventory of all fixed assets;
- Ensure all expenditures are consistently aligned with grant and program budgets throughout the grant/fund period;
- Oversees annual benchmarking and reporting submissions for CAIS, NBOA and ISABC
- Prepares and maintains reserve fund reporting and related analyses.
Fundraising:
- Works collaboratively with the Advancement Team to reconcile donations and ensure compliance with applicable policies, regulations and donor requirements.
- Ensures funds are accounted for and disbursed in accordance with donor-designated intent and organizational policies.
- Supports the Advancement Team in the development of financial information and analysis for fundraising materials and donor stewardship reporting.
Team Leadership:
- Provides direct supervision and leadership to the Intermediate Accountant.
- Assists the CFO in annual performance reviews and supports the ongoing development, coaching, and performance management of Finance team staff.
Requirements:
If you enjoy the opportunity to make a real impact on the community and working in an organization that offers a pleasant and flexible culture where your contributions are recognized and rewarded, then we would love to hear from you. The ideal candidate will have:
- CPA designation.
- Minimum 8 - 10 years of Senior Accounting experience with preference given to those who have worked in a private school or educational institution.
- Experience in a not-for-profit environment and/or with fund accounting preferred.
- Extensive experience and knowledge in managing audit activities, financial reporting, budget development and analysis, accounts payable, receivable, general ledger, payroll and accounting for investments.
- Thorough knowledge of all relevant Federal, Provincial and local requirements regarding financial records, pension and payroll. (i.e., PIPEDA, CASL, CRA, PCI)
- Technologically savvy with the ability to manage data for financial reporting quickly and effectively using Excel and a not for profit accounting software system like Blackbaud’s Financial Edge database
- Excellent ability to translate and communicate complex financial concepts to key stakeholders at all levels of financial understanding.
- Exceptional attention to detail and commitment to accuracy.
- An accessible, visible and flexible management style that inspires trust and confidence in team members and stakeholders (including parents and donors).
- Strategic thinker and lifelong learner who continuously seeks opportunities to improve skills, systems and processes.
- Excellent customer service and relationship building skills.
- Strong communication, interpersonal and problem resolution skills.
- Highly adaptable with the ability to conform to rapidly shifting priorities and schedules.
- Excellent time-management, organizational and follow-up skills with demonstrated detail orientation.
- Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
- Ability to meet tight deadlines and deal with multiple concurrent tasks.
- Demonstrated integrity, flexibility, practicality, with a “can-do” attitude.
- Proactive and innovative with an “improvement seeking” orientation and the ability to sell recommendations to senior management and the board.
What You Will Receive:
The organization offers a very attractive compensation package including full benefits, 8.5% RRSP matching, and 3 weeks of vacation plus additional paid time off: 2 weeks at the end of the year over the holidays as well as all Jewish holidays that fall on weekdays. As a contract employee your compensation will be a prorated amount for the duration. Should you move into a full time role all the above will apply.
If you can see yourself in this role and have the above requirements please send your resume along with a cover letter stating why you would be a good match for this position.
