Director, Finance

Director of Finance

KIRAH Executive Search & Leadership Advisory has been exclusively retained by the   Langley Animal Protection Society , known as LAPS, to lead the search for its next Director of Finance.

This is an opportunity for an experienced finance leader to bring strong financial stewardship, operational discipline, and strategic insight to a respected community organization whose work directly improves the lives of animals and families.

The successful candidate will join a committed leadership team and serve as a trusted financial advisor to the Executive Director and Board. This individual will combine strategic thinking with hands-on execution and will be comfortable moving between Board-level reporting, organizational planning, payroll, financial controls, compliance, budgeting, and day-to-day accounting.

This search is intended for a finance leader who values accountability, reliability, communication, and purpose.

About the Langley Animal Protection Society

The Langley Animal Protection Society is a growing non-profit organization committed to compassionate animal welfare and community support.

Each year, LAPS provides safe harbour and care to more than 650 animals. The organization also supports families in need through programs such as   Major’s Legacy   and   New Beginnings , while continuing to build a future centred on innovative, responsible, and compassionate animal welfare.  

LAPS is supported by a dedicated Board, an experienced Executive Director, a collaborative leadership team, committed employees, volunteers, donors, and community partners.

The organization’s work is deeply meaningful, but its impact also depends on strong financial leadership, trusted internal systems, responsible governance, and long-term sustainability.

The Leadership Opportunity

Reporting to the Executive Director, the Director of Finance will serve as the organization’s senior financial leader.

This is both a strategic and operational role.

The Director of Finance will advise the Executive Director and Board, support organizational planning, oversee financial reporting and compliance, and ensure that core financial operations are completed accurately, consistently, and on time.

The successful candidate must be comfortable working in a lean environment where leadership involves both direction and execution.

This is not a role for someone who wants to operate at a distance from the details. It is well suited to a leader who enjoys taking ownership, solving problems, improving systems, and ensuring that the organization can rely on its finance function every day.

The Leadership Mandate

The Director of Finance will be responsible for strengthening and sustaining the financial foundation of LAPS.

The mandate includes:

Financial Leadership and Advice

• Serve as the principal financial advisor to the Executive Director.
• Provide clear, practical financial guidance to the Board and leadership team.
• Translate financial information into meaningful insights that support sound decisions.
• Contribute to organizational planning, resource allocation, and long-term sustainability.
• Identify financial risks, operational gaps, and opportunities for improvement.

Financial Reporting and Accounting

• Prepare accurate month-end and year-end financial statements.
• Develop summarized financial reporting for leadership and Board review.
• Prepare journal entries and account reconciliations.
• Maintain complete, accurate, and audit-ready financial records.
• Oversee bank reconciliations, online banking, and cash flow management.
• Track deferred grant revenue and prepare related reporting.  

Budgeting and Financial Planning

• Lead the annual budgeting process in collaboration with department leaders.
• Support managers in developing realistic and responsible departmental budgets.
• Monitor actual financial performance against budget.
• Prepare projections, forecasts, and revenue plans.
• Recommend efficiencies and improvements based on financial analysis.
• Help leadership understand the financial implications of organizational decisions.

Compliance, Governance, and Risk

• Ensure timely completion of required tax and regulatory filings.
• Oversee PST, GST, T3010, charitable gaming-related, payroll, and other required reporting.
• Maintain appropriate internal financial controls.
• Support audit preparation and external financial review processes.
• Conduct financial risk analysis and prepare compliance reporting for the Board.
• Coordinate insurance renewals, including vehicle, liability, directors and officers, and cyber coverage.
• Obtain insurance certificates as required.  

Payroll, Benefits, and Employee Administration

• Process or oversee bi-weekly payroll for hourly and salaried employees.
• Ensure payroll deadlines are consistently met.
• Administer employee benefits and group RRSP requirements.
• Ensure compliance with CRA payroll remittances.
• Prepare T4s and required WorkSafe reporting.
• Maintain accurate payroll and employee financial records.
• Support occasional payroll requirements related to weekends or statutory holidays.  

Accounts Payable and Receivable

• Oversee invoice approvals, vendor payments, EFT processing, and credit card reconciliations.
• Manage invoicing under existing contracts and other billing arrangements.
• Administer corporate credit cards and related accounts.
• Maintain appropriate approval, documentation, and reconciliation processes.
• Ensure vendors, partners, and internal stakeholders receive timely and professional support.  

Financial Systems and Administration

• Act as administrator for finance-related systems, websites, and platforms.
• Maintain current user access, licenses, and account information.
• Liaise with external technology providers where required.
• Identify opportunities to strengthen, streamline, or modernize financial processes.
• Ensure that critical systems and financial information remain secure, organized, and accessible.

What Success Will Look Like

In the First 90 Days

The successful candidate will:

• Build strong working relationships with the Executive Director, Board leadership, and senior team.
• Develop a clear understanding of the organization’s financial position, systems, obligations, and operating environment.
• Establish confidence in the accuracy and timeliness of payroll, reporting, banking, and compliance.
• Review existing controls, processes, reporting practices, and key financial deadlines.
• Identify immediate risks, priorities, and opportunities for improvement.
• Ensure continuity across all essential financial functions.

Within Six Months

The Director of Finance will:

• Strengthen monthly reporting and financial visibility.
• Support leadership with practical budgeting and forecasting.
• Improve the consistency and reliability of financial systems and processes.
• Establish clear financial calendars, accountabilities, and reporting expectations.
• Build a reputation for responsiveness, follow-through, and sound judgment.
• Help leadership make better informed operational and strategic decisions.

Within the First Year

The Director of Finance will:

• Be recognized as a trusted financial advisor to the Executive Director and Board.
• Strengthen financial governance, risk management, and internal controls.
• Contribute meaningfully to long-term planning and organizational sustainability.
• Improve the quality, clarity, and usefulness of financial reporting.
• Build confidence throughout the organization in the finance function.
• Create a stable financial platform that supports LAPS’ continued growth and community impact.

The Leader LAPS Is Seeking

LAPS is seeking more than a technically capable finance professional.

The organization requires someone who can be relied upon.

The successful candidate will demonstrate:

• A high level of personal integrity and professional judgment.
• Consistent accountability and follow-through.
• Strong initiative and the ability to act without constant direction.
• Clear, timely, and proactive communication.
• Careful attention to accuracy and deadlines.
• The confidence to advise senior leadership and the Board.
• The humility to remain hands-on when required.
• Calmness and sound decision-making under pressure.
• Respect for confidentiality and organizational trust.
• A collaborative approach to working with colleagues across different functions.
• A genuine interest in contributing to a purpose-driven organization.

Throughout KIRAH’s initial discovery, the need for reliability, ownership, communication, professionalism, and trust was emphasized as central to long-term success in this appointment.

Requirements

The successful candidate will bring:

• Post-secondary education in accounting, finance, business, or a related field.
  
• A CPA designation is preferred.
  
• Seven to ten years of progressive finance experience.
  
• Experience leading or independently managing a broad finance function.
  
• Strong experience with financial reporting, budgeting, forecasting, payroll, compliance, and audit preparation.
  
• Experience supporting an Executive Director, Chief Executive Officer, Board, or senior leadership team.
  
• Demonstrated understanding of cash flow management, internal controls, and risk.
  
• Experience in the non-profit or charitable sector is strongly preferred.
  
• Familiarity with grant accounting and deferred revenue reporting is an asset.
  
• Experience with Sage 50 or similar accounting systems is an asset.
  
• Strong analytical, organizational, and problem-solving capabilities.
  
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
  
• The ability to work effectively in a hands-on, collaborative environment.  
  

Working at LAPS

This is a full-time, permanent position based at the Patti Dale Animal Shelter in Langley.

The role is structured around a 40-hour workweek. Daily scheduling may offer some flexibility within the organization’s operating requirements, although the successful candidate must remain available to support financial deadlines, payroll, operational priorities, and occasional events.  

This position is best suited to someone who appreciates the importance of being present, accessible, and connected to the organization they support.

Compensation and Benefits

LAPS offers a competitive employment package that is expected to include:

• Annual salary between  $90,000 and $110,000
• Four weeks of annual vacation
  
• Three annual wellness days following successful completion of the initial employment period
  
• Participation in the organization’s employee benefits plan
  
• Group RRSP matching of 2 percent following six months of employment
  
• Support for approved professional development
  
• Paid time off in lieu for approved additional hours, subject to organizational policy
  
• Meaningful leadership work within a respected community organization  

Final compensation will be determined based on the successful candidate’s experience, qualifications, and overall alignment with the position.

Why Consider This Opportunity?

For the right finance leader, this role offers a rare combination of responsibility, influence, and purpose.

You will have the opportunity to:

• Lead the full financial function of a respected non-profit organization.
  
• Work directly with the Executive Director and Board.
  
• Influence organizational planning and sustainability.
  
• Strengthen systems and processes that support meaningful community impact.
  
• Join a leadership team that values commitment, professionalism, and collaboration.
  
• Apply your financial expertise to work that directly supports animals and families.
  

This role will appeal to someone who wants their work to matter and who understands that strong financial leadership is essential to mission delivery.

KIRAH’s Perspective

Having met with Board leadership and reviewed the organization’s needs, KIRAH believes this opportunity will be especially compelling for an experienced finance leader who enjoys combining strategic advice with practical execution.

The successful candidate will inherit a broad and important mandate. The organization requires someone who will not only maintain the finance function, but strengthen confidence in it.

Technical competence is essential. Long-term success, however, will be determined by reliability, initiative, communication, judgment, and the ability to earn trust.

For a finance leader who values purpose, accountability, and meaningful organizational contribution, this is an opportunity worth exploring.

Equity and Inclusion

Langley Animal Protection Society and KIRAH Executive Search & Leadership Advisory are committed to an inclusive search process.

Qualified candidates from all backgrounds are encouraged to apply. Accommodations are available throughout the recruitment process upon request.

Application Process

KIRAH welcomes applications from qualified candidates interested in this opportunity.

Please submit:

• A current resume
  
• A brief cover letter outlining your interest and relevant experience
  

All applications and inquiries will be treated with discretion.

Applications for this KIRAH executive search are securely processed through destinationone Consulting’s recruitment platform.

Apply through the application link provided on this page.