Chief Financial Officer

SmithValeriote Law Firm; Guelph; On-site; CAD 150,000 - 230,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Comprehensive Benefits

RRSP Matching

Professional Development

Work-Life Integration

Exceptional Culture

Job summary

SV Law, a leading full-service firm serving Guelph and surrounding communities, seeks an experienced CFO to join its senior leadership. The role partners with the Managing Partner and Executive Committee to drive strategic financial planning, technology integration, and practice-management improvements.

Ideal candidates bring CPA credentials and 5+ years in a professional services setting, with a proven ability to guide partners, manage teams, and foster a collaborative, high-performing culture

Qualifications

• CPA designation with at least five years of leadership experience in a professional services firm.
• Ability to balance hands-on service with strategic guidance to the partnership.
• Strong understanding of technology in professional services, incl. practice management, document management, and billing systems.
• Familiarity with Ontario legal market, Law Society of Ontario regulations, and law-firm economics.
• Excellent people skills with ability to build trust and lead change.

Responsibilities

• Planning & Strategy – oversee financial stability while transforming systems and policies.
• Budgeting & Forecasting – direct annual budget cycle and profitability targets.
• Client & Finances – streamline client intake and enhance financial hygiene processes.
• Lawyer Support – automate processes to let lawyers focus on client work; align partner compensation.
• People & Culture – promote a positive, proactive culture across the firm.

Skills

Leadership

Strategy & Planning

Budgeting & Forecasting

Financial Systems

People Skills

Education

CPA designation

Job description

SV Law is a leading full-service law firm proudly serving Guelph, Elora, Waterloo, and the surrounding communities since the mid-1960s. With a team of over 50 lawyers and dedicated professional staff, the Firm provides trusted, practical legal counsel across a comprehensive range of practice areas — including services to both business and personal clients.

The Firm is consistently recognized as a leader across Southwestern Ontario, is home to multiple lawyers named among The Best Lawyers in Canada and has been recognized as a Top Employer, in Guelph, and across Southwestern Ontario, and Canada. The Firm is deeply rooted in its communities — supporting local organisations through fundraising, sponsorship, and volunteerism.

The Firm has experienced continued year-on-year growth. To support the next phase of growth it is seeking an experienced financial leader to serve as its first Chief Financial Officer (‘CFO’).

THE OPPORTUNITY

This is an exciting opportunity for a senior finance professional to step into a newly created, high-impact leadership role. Reporting directly to the Managing Partner and working alongside the Executive Committee and the Chief Administrative Officer, the CFO will be an integral member of the Firm’s senior leadership team — supporting ongoing growth by maintaining and enhancing the Firm’s enviable financial foundation and overseeing the Firm’s approach to technology / artificial intelligence.

The CFO will bring the financial discipline, strategic rigour, and professional services expertise that a fast-growing firm of this scale demands. This is a superb role for a candidate who combines strategic vision with hands‑on execution, and who thrives at the intersection of finance, technology, and people.

WHAT WE OFFER

Competitive Executive Compensation:

A total rewards package commensurate with the seniority and scope of the role, including a performance-based incentive component.

• Comprehensive Benefits – Health, dental, vision, life insurance, and employee wellness programs.
• RRSP Matching – A meaningful employer-matched RRSP program to support your long-term financial security.
• Professional Development – Ongoing investment in leadership growth through continuing education, professional development, and industry engagement.
• Work-Life Integration – A flexible working arrangement balancing the requirements of this senior role. The Firm highly values work / life integration.
• Exceptional Culture – A collegial, community‑minded environment where your contributions will be valued, recognised, and rewarded.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

The CFO will provide leadership across the following areas:

• Planning & Strategy – Work with the senior leadership team to balance financial stability with the need to transform the Firm’s systems and policies. Provide oversight and ongoing enhancement of the Firm’s finance and technology teams and systems. Build and maintain a network across the legal profession to ensure the Firm is aware of competitive trends and best practices.
• Budgeting & Forecasting – Direct the planning and execution of the Firm’s annual budget cycle, with responsibility to ensure the Firm achieves its annual Profit targets. Reporting regularly to the Executive Committee and Partnership. Provide ongoing education to all lawyers on fee strategy and profitability.
• Client & Finances – Develop and execute a plan to streamline the client intake process. Drive the ongoing improvement of financial hygiene process.
• Lawyer Support – Automate and simplify financial processes to ensure that lawyers can primarily focus on client work. Work with the Partnership on the partner compensation cycle to align with the Firm’s strategy.
• People & Culture – Serve as a senior leader across the Firm, promoting the development of a positive and proactive culture.

Qualifications

• The ideal candidate will be:
• CPA designation required with a minimum of five years leadership experience within a professional services firm — preferably within the legal industry.
• Demonstrated ability to work both hands‑on, personally delivering service, and strategically advising and guiding the partnership
• Understanding of technology and the fast-changing digital environment, including experience with practice management, document management, and billing systems.
• Familiarity with the Ontario legal market, Law Society of Ontario regulations, and the economics of law firm management — including partnership structures and lawyer compensation models.
• Excellent people skills with a proven ability to build trust, influence and persuade partners, lead teams, and foster collaboration while driving change and adaptation across the Firm.
• A superb sense of humour and a genuine willingness to work as part of a successful, collaborative, high‑performing team.

Inclusion, Accessibility & Accommodation

SV Law is committed to maintaining a respectful, accessible, and inclusive workplace. We welcome applications from all qualified individuals. Accommodations are available throughout the recruitment process — please let us know if you require support.

Use of Artificial Intelligence in Recruitment

In accordance with Ontario legislation effective January 1, 2026, SV Law discloses that artificial intelligence is not used to screen, assess, or make hiring decisions for this role.

As a full-service law firm, we hire a diverse range of talents and backgrounds to match our growing range of legal services.