Controller

Our client, a government-funded not-for-profit organization headquartered in Edmonton, is seeking a Controller to lead its

finance function. This is the organization's senior financial role, reporting to the Chief Executive Officer, with a focus on

financial reporting, budgeting and cash flow management and oversight of a small accounting team. Remote work is

available for candidates based outside Edmonton.

Position Overview:

• The organization's senior financial management resource, reporting to the Chief Executive Officer and accountable for the integrity, accuracy and reliability of its financial information and control environment.
• The main focus is financial reporting, cash flow management and budgeting, along with overseeing a small operational accounting team.
• A government and grant funded not-for-profit that receives quarterly payments from the government, so careful budgeting to cover expenses is central to the role.
• Management accountability also extends to office services, information technology coordination, procurement, and payroll and benefits administration.
• Expected to identify and resolve financial management issues independently, bring material risks to the Chief Executive Officer promptly, and provide clear recommendations.

Responsibilities:

• Own the annual budgeting process, including assumptions, forecasts, scenario analysis, departmental input and consolidation, and give the Chief Executive Officer clear analysis of financial risks, pressures and opportunities.
• Prepare rolling forecasts, cash flow projections, variance analysis and management reporting, identify emerging issues and recommend corrective action.
• Translate financial information into practical advice for the Chief Executive Officer and management team, and support evidence-informed resource allocation and strategic decisions.
• Develop and maintain financial models and analyses for funding proposals, program decisions, contracts, business cases and other organizational initiatives.
• Support the Finance and Audit Committee and the Board with accurate, concise and decision-useful financial reporting, presentations and analysis.
• Oversee the full accounting cycle, including the general ledger, accounts payable and receivable, bank and balance sheet reconciliations, journal entries, month-end and year-end close, fixed assets and financial records.
• Prepare timely monthly, quarterly and annual financial statements and supporting schedules in accordance with applicable Canadian accounting standards and organizational policies.
• Design, document, maintain and continuously improve internal controls, financial policies, delegations, approval processes and segregation of duties appropriate to the organization's size and risk profile.
• Monitor financial performance and compliance across the organization, and investigate and resolve variances, exceptions and control issues promptly.
• Maintain complete, accurate and audit-ready financial records with appropriate document retention.
• Lead preparation for the annual external audit and serve as the primary management liaison with the external auditors, coordinating schedules, working papers, responses and the implementation of recommendations.
• Ensure timely and accurate GST, payroll, WCB, T4 and T4A and other statutory filings and remittances, and maintain compliance with federal and provincial requirements.
• Monitor financial, fraud, cyber and technology, contractual and operational risks within the position's areas of accountability, and advise the Chief Executive Officer on mitigation.
• Maintain appropriate controls over banking, payments, purchasing, contracts, organizational assets and access to financial systems.
• Oversee accurate and confidential payroll processing, payroll reconciliations, vacation and leave records, statutory remittances and year-end reporting.
• Administer employee benefit and retirement plan enrolments, changes, terminations, remittances and records in coordination with external providers.
• Support the Chief Executive Officer in maintaining current HR policies, procedures and employment documentation, and coordinate external HR expertise when required.
• Ensure sensitive employee and financial information is managed with appropriate confidentiality, access controls and record management practices.
• Oversee office services and facilities so that physical and remote work environments are safe, functional, cost- effective and responsive to organizational needs.
• Manage relationships and contracts with IT, telecommunications, software and office service providers, and coordinate technology support, equipment lifecycle planning, licensing and user access.
• Work with external IT providers and the Chief Executive Officer to maintain appropriate cybersecurity, backup, business continuity and technology control practices.
• Oversee procurement and purchasing within delegated authority, including competitive quotes where appropriate, contract and lease administration, vendor management and asset tracking.
• Identify and implement opportunities to streamline administrative and financial processes through technology, automation and improved workflows.
• Provide leadership, coaching, work planning and performance management for direct reports, and build administrative and financial capability across the organization.
• Establish clear service standards, accountabilities and processes for finance and corporate services, and monitor performance against them.
• Contribute as a member of the management team to organizational planning, policy development, risk management and continuous improvement.
• Promote a collaborative, accountable and service-oriented culture consistent with the organization's values.
• Act within delegated authority and perform other related management responsibilities assigned by the Chief Executive Officer.

Must Have Qualifications:

• Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA) designation
• 3+ years of experience in a Controller-level position
• Experience in financial reporting
• Experience in budgeting
• Experience in cash flow management

Like To Have Qualifications:

• Experience in a not-for-profit or grant funded organization