Controller

N a nwa k olas Council provides services to the member First Nations including Mamalilikulla , Tlowitsis , Da’naxda’xw Awaetlala, Wei Wai Kum , We Wai Kai , and K’ómoks . These First Nations each hold responsibility for the stewardship of Aweenak’ola, which means “the lands we are on,” within their traditional areas on North Vancouver Island and the mainland coast of what is now British Columbia, Canada.

The name N a nwa k olas, which means “a place we go to find agreement,” honours traditional ways of making decisions collaboratively that will benefit all the member First Nations. N a nwa k olas Council provides services to the member First Nations, including specific technical expertise, operational support and information, facilitation, advice, and coordination of the work of the individual Nations in their stewardship of lands and waters; supporting the work of the First Nations’ Guardians through the Ha-ma-yas Stewardship Network; and advocating for the protection of the member First Nations’ Aboriginal rights when engaging with governments. The member First Nations also work collectively through N a nwa k olas Council as a united voice, and dealing with matters of collective regional interest.

For more information on N a nwa k olas Council, please visit:

The Opportunity:

Due to a retirement, the leadership team at the N a nwa k olas Council is in search of a strong Controller to join the team out of the Campbell River offices. As the lead financial person for the organization, the Controller will provide financial management services to N a nwa k olas Council, N a nwa k olas Business Corporation, including its subsidiary corporations and related limited partnerships, and other ventures as directed by the Executive Director.

Specific responsibilities of the Controller include:

• Implement a transition from Sage Accounting to Quick Books Online, Zero or other cloud-based accounting programs with the ability to provide regular up-to-date reports to Program Leads on the Department and Projects they are managing.
• Manage all fiscal reporting. Prepare and analyze quarterly financial statements.
• Assist in developing the annual budget. Ensure adherence to approved budgets – with reports on overages to the Executive Director.
• Manage employee payment system and benefits program, in accordance with approved budget and Board direction.
• Develop, or assist in the development of funding applications as well as manage and ensure that all funding reporting requirements are met.
• Supervise and mentor the Accounts Payable Clerk.
• Attend biweekly Department Head meetings & other meetings as required.
• Prepare Monthly bank reconciliation of all bank accounts.
• Ensure payment of all required taxes in a timely manner.
• Maintain hardcopy and digital filing systems for all financial documents, including, but not limited to, service contracts, funding contracts, sales contracts, government-to-government agreements, corporate documents, etc., for N a nwa k olas Council, N a nwa k olas
  Business Corporation, its subsidiaries, and related limited partnerships.
• Other financial management functions may be assigned from time to time.

Key Qualifications and Skillsets

To succeed in the role, the N a nwa k olas Council leadership team is looking for an experienced accountant with the following qualifications:

• Minimum five years’ experience in accounting ideally in non-profit or First Nations or government setting plus 1-2 years’ experience in a management capacity.
• Strong understanding of risk management, fiscal responsibility, financial reporting, funding, grant management, contract laws, budgeting, and partnership arrangements.
• Knowledge of GAAP plus federal and provincial legislations as it pertains to non-profit and First Nations accounting principles, standards, and regulations.
• Comfort with using and implementing accounting software such as Quickbooks, Zero, or other related software. Also comfortable in using software for timely reporting.
• Experience in developing and managing annual work plans, KPIs, and budgets as well as experience reporting to the audit committee of a board or council.
• Strong technical writing skills and experience in writing policies, procedures, proposals, briefing notes, reports, and grants.
• Comfortable using Sage ERP systems and Payworks would be ideal.
• Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from industry, government bodies, professional groups, Nation members, and the public.
• An understanding of the history of First Nations governments, the Indian Act, the Truth and Reconciliation Commission Calls to Act, and the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP) is also beneficial.
• Natural strategic thinker with the ability to connect business vision and objectives into programs and policies within the accounting department.
• Strong technical writing skills. Experience in writing policies, proposals, and grants.
• Comfortable in collaborating with government bodies, private and public sector, and community agencies to establish, and maintain positive working relationships.

While we recognize the value of diversity in the workplace and welcome applications from people of all backgrounds following section 41 of the BC Human Rights Code; candidates of Indigenous background are encouraged to self-identify on their application.

Compensation

The role will be paid based on the individual's experience. We are looking at a base salary of $90k to $120k with 3 weeks vacation annually and extended benefits up to a max of $2000 for dental. There will be life insurance, 12 sick days annually and a $50/month cell phone allowance with applicable tax-free consideration for all First Nation candidates.

You must be based out of the Campbell River office. For the right candidate, N a nwa k olas Council is also ready to provide support with relocation assistance as needed.

Interested?

N a nwa k olas Council has partnered with KasaHR Consulting to fulfill this important hire. To be considered for this role, please apply by sending your resume directly through . For a more detailed job profile or additional information, feel free to contact us through this site.

KasaHR was founded on the basis that all applicants deserve respect and care when they apply for jobs. All applications will be reviewed with care, and we look forward to hearing the personal journey and story of those applicants whose backgrounds best match the needs of our clients. All other applicants will be informed of the status of their application within days of applying. If you have not heard back from us within a week of the submission of your application, please don’t hesitate to contact us for an update.