Finance/Payroll Associate - Full Time

The Financial Controller is responsible for protecting the accuracy, completeness, reliability, and timeliness of financial information across New Dawn's diverse portfolio of operations. The Controller leads the day-to-day accounting function and ensures that financial records, reporting, controls, policies, and compliance practices support responsible stewardship and sound decision-making.
Working within New Dawn's multi-entity environment, the Controller oversees accounting operations, financial reporting, budgeting, internal controls, compliance, audits, and cash administration. The role ensures financial processes are effective, reporting requirements are met, risks are managed, and decision-makers have access to reliable financial information.
Accounting Operations & Team Leadership
Financial Policies, Procedures & Internal Controls
Compliance & Audit
Financing Documentation & Cash Administration
Accounting Operations & Team Leadership
Directly manage the accounting and Finance department team and oversee the day-to-day accounting function across New Dawn's entities, divisions, programs, properties, and business units.
Oversee bookkeeping, accounts payable, accounts receivable, payroll accounting, bank and balance-sheet reconciliations, intercompany transactions, and general ledger maintenance.
Review journal entries, reconciliations, account analyses, supporting records, and adjustments, and ensure errors and outstanding items are resolved promptly.
Ensure accounting practices are applied consistently and that financial records provide a reliable foundation for organizational reporting and decision-making.
Set clear expectations for accuracy, timeliness, accountability, confidentiality, and reliable follow-through within the Finance department.
Provide ongoing supervision, coaching, feedback, and professional development to Finance staff, and address capacity or performance concerns as required.
Build team resilience through cross-training, documented procedures, appropriate segregation of duties, and the development of financial expertise.
Investigate significant variances, explain their underlying causes, and work with managers to correct coding, address pressures, and improve financial performance.
Prepare cash-flow forecasts and financial projections using agreed assumptions and provide reliable financial data and analysis to support operational decisions.
Financial Policies, Procedures, Systems & Internal Controls
Develop, document, administer, and regularly update detailed financial policies, accounting procedures, approval processes, close schedules, and documentation requirements.
Design, implement, and monitor internal controls that safeguard assets and reduce accounting, reporting, fraud, and compliance risks.
Ensure appropriate authorization, segregation of duties, supporting documentation, record retention, and review controls are consistently followed.
Oversee the effective use of accounting, payroll, and financial reporting systems and ensure system access, configurations, and workflows support accurate and efficient processing.
Develop tools, templates, and guidance that help managers understand budgets, expenses, coding, documentation standards, approvals, and financial procedures.
Compliance & Audit
Oversee tax filings, government remittances, regulatory reporting, accounting-standard requirements, and compliance with legal, contractual, funder, and organizational obligations.
Manage audit schedules, working papers, supporting documentation, confirmations, and day-to-day communication with external auditors and reviewers.
Coordinate annual audit and external review preparation, respond promptly to information requests, track outstanding items, and support timely completion.
Monitor compliance requirements and control effectiveness, identify deficiencies or emerging risks, and implement corrective action.
Financing Documentation & Cash Administration
Monitor bank balances, cash requirements, payments, receipts, and short-term cash flow to support operations.
Prepare and supply accurate financial information, schedules, confirmations, covenant reporting, and other documentation required by lenders, funders, banks, and government partners.
Track capital-project budgets, expenditures, commitments, funding claims, and required financial reporting.
Oversee banking administration, cash transfers, receivables, payables, and intercompany balances, and ensure transactions are appropriately authorized and recorded.
Produce accurate monthly, quarterly, and annual financial statements for all divisions, business units, entities, and New Dawn Enterprises Consolidated.
Deliver complete period-end reconciliations, variance reports, audit schedules, compliance filings, financial procedures, and other recurring reporting requirements on schedule.
Prepare management reports and dashboards and explain financial results, accounting details, and variances clearly to the CEO, Vice Presidents, managers, and Board of Directors when requested by the CEO.
Maintain organized, review-ready working papers and provide accurate financial information for funding applications, audits, government filings, lenders, and other external stakeholders.
Identify opportunities for continuous improvement and contribute to the development and implementation of effective solutions.
Maintain high standards of quality, safety, and confidentiality in all interactions involving employees, clients, volunteers, and organizational information.
Maintain and enhance professional knowledge and skills through ongoing learning, professional development, networking, and participation in relevant professional associations.
Client and community-focused
Bachelor's degree in accounting, finance, business administration, commerce, or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA) designation is preferred.
Minimum five (5) years of progressive accounting and financial management experience, including responsibility for financial reporting, budgeting, audit, internal controls, and accounting operations.
Demonstrated experience leading/supervising finance staff and improving accounting systems and processes.
Strong knowledge of accounting principles, financial statement preparation, reconciliations, consolidations, budgeting, forecasting, and cash-flow management.
Demonstrated expertise in audit preparation, regulatory and tax compliance, internal controls, and financial policies and procedures.
Experience with non-profit, charitable, social enterprise, real estate, or multi-entity structures is a strong asset.
Experience working with individuals and communities facing vulnerability and systemic barriers.
Understanding diverse communities and commitment to equity, inclusion, and community-centred practice.
Regular interaction with employees, volunteers, management, participants, children, families, and the public.
Travel between worksites and within the community may be required.
Occasional overtime and evening or weekend work may be required to meet operational needs.
Work is performed in an office and community setting and may be busy or noisy at times.
Prolonged periods of sitting and working at a desktop computer, including the use of standard office equipment and peripherals.
At New Dawn Enterprises, we recognize that employee well-being is fundamental to individual success, organizational excellence, and thriving communities. In addition to competitive salaries, permanent salaried employees may be eligible for the following benefits and supports. Group Health Group Benefits: Medical, Dental, Life Insurance
New Dawn offers eligible employees participation in group benefits which are provided by GroupHEALTH and include coverage for medical, dental, and vision care, as well as insurance coverage including long-term disability, life, and accidental death and dismemberment. Long-term disability premiums are fully employee-paid, allowing any future disability benefits received to remain non-taxable
Employee and Family Assistance Plan (EFAP)
GroupHEALTH offers integrated wellness services through Sparrow Health, including enhanced mental health support, seamless access to virtual healthcare, and an Employee and Family Assistance Program (EFAP). Self-Directed Registered Retirement Savings Plan
Eligible employees may choose to participate in New Dawn's Self-Directed Retirement Savings Matching Program by contributing up to 5% of their gross salary toward a registered retirement savings plan, which is deducted from their pay cheque. Eligible savings accounts include Registered Retirement Savings Plans (RRSPs) and eligible Community Economic Development Investment Funds (CEDIFs)
Flexible Work Arrangements
In recognition of the benefits of greater work-life balance and the value of flexibility and autonomy for human well-being, New Dawn makes every effort to offer flexible work schedules. Depending on the role, flexible arrangements may include self-scheduling (regular schedule and/or time off coverage), flexible start and end times, remote work, and other accommodations
Full-time salaried employees are eligible to participate in a 32-hour reduced-hours work week while maintaining full-time employment status and compensation. These hours can be worked over four 8-hour days, or five 6.5-hour days, with the chosen schedule identified at the beginning of employment and at the start of each year
Paid Vacation
Full-time, salaried employees are entitled to 120 hours (equivalent to 15 days) of paid vacation annually. Part-time, salaried employees are entitled to paid annual vacation hours prorated to their FTE status
Full-time, salaried employees are entitled to 56 hours (7 days) of paid mental and physical wellness leave annually. Part-time, salaried employees are entitled to paid annual leave for mental and physical health prorated to their FTE status. These hours can be used to take time off work for physical and/or mental wellness/illness, and to attend appointments for the employee and/or their dependents
Paid Holidays
New Dawn observes thirteen (13) public holidays and other days for which staff will be paid. They are: New Year's Day, Family Day, Good Friday, Easter Monday, Victoria Day, Canada Day, Civic Holiday, Labour Day, National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, Thanksgiving Day, Remembrance Day, Christmas Day, Boxing Day
In the spirit of family, the President reserves the right to close the office between Christmas and New Year's to enable employees to spend time with their families. These non-statutory days will have no impact on employee vacation time
New Dawn celebrates employee contributions through service awards, milestone recognition, and ongoing appreciation programs that acknowledge achievements and significant personal and professional milestones
When certifications, training, licenses, or credentials are required for a position, New Dawn covers renewal costs. New Dawn is committed to supporting employees in developing their skills, expanding their knowledge, and pursuing lifelong learning opportunities. Corporate YMCA Membership Program
To support employee health and wellness, New Dawn offers a corporate membership in partnership with the Cape Breton YMCA. The corporate membership provides staff with a 12% discount on the cost of individual membership, and New Dawn covers 50% of the discounted individual membership cost
New Dawn is proud to be a designated Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP) employer. Eligible employees may be able to receive employer support for permanent residency applications through the program. Employees are responsible for confirming their eligibility under the AIP or any other immigration stream before seeking employer endorsement
New Dawn is Canada's oldest Community Development Corporation. Since 1976, we've been working to create a more just, healthy, and self-determined community by responding to local needs and driving long-term, systems-level change. Today, New Dawn continues to focus on self-reliance, resilience, and community-led transformation. Every day, we engage thousands of community members and employ over 150 Cape Bretoners through programs and services that are practical, creative, and grounded in care. Our work spans health and social care, housing, the arts, youth, immigration, and community development. Some of these services generate revenue, which we reinvest into our organization, fueling sustainability and deepening community impact