Controller

Canadian Mental Health Association BC Division; Vancouver; Hybrid; CAD 119,000 - 149,000; Full time

Job summary

CMHA BC Division in Vancouver is seeking a Controller who reports to the Senior Director of Finance and leads day-to-day financial operations, including internal and external reporting, budgeting, and financial planning for association programs.

The role supervises Accounting and Payroll, ensures GAAP compliance, coordinates year-end audits, and collaborates with staff across departments to provide timely financial advice.

Qualifications

• Undergraduate degree and CPA designation required.
• Minimum 6+ years in professional accounting with fund accounting; 3+ years as financial controller with supervisory experience.
• Strong knowledge of GAAP, charity accounting, and regulatory requirements.
• Experience with budgeting, financial statements, and complex reports.
• Proficiency with Excel; experience with accounting systems like Blackbaud Financial Edge NXT, Martus, Float, Payworks.

Responsibilities

• Maintain the association’s system of accounts with timely, accurate information.
• Oversee full-cycle accounting and payroll functions and banking activities.
• Coordinate annual external financial audit and prepare lead sheets and statements.
• Develop and monitor budgets; provide cost analyses and financial planning support.
• Prepare monthly financial statements and reports for the Board's Finance and Audit Committee.
• Supervise Finance and Payroll staff and manage performance and scheduling.
• Ensure internal controls and procedures to prevent fraud and ensure compliance.
• Communicate financial results and guidance to staff and stakeholders.

Skills

CPA designation

Financial management

Budgeting

Supervisory experience

Forecasting

Analytical thinking

Education

Undergraduate degree

CPA designation

Tools

Blackbaud Financial Edge NXT

Martus

Float

Payworks

Job description

ABOUT THE JOB:

The Controller reports to the Senior Director of Finance and oversees day-to-day financial operations the preparation of internal and external financial reporting and provides a senior level of financial and budget planning support related to Association operations. The position maintains the Association’s system of accounts; ensures the accuracy and timeliness of all financial data; and performs financial reviews and analysis. This position is responsible for the direct supervision of the Accounting and Payroll departments.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Responsible for and maintains the Association’s system of accounts, ensuring all financial information is recorded in a timely and accurate manner. Performs regular reconciliations andanalysis of general ledger activity.
• Oversees the management and administration of the Association’s Financial Software toeffectively run Full-Cycle Accounting and Payroll functions.
• Assists in the development and implementation of policy, standards and procedures to ensure overall effectiveness and accuracy of financial information.
• Oversees all Association banking functions.
• Reviews accounting practices and internal control procedures. Assists in developing, implementing and monitoring systems and procedures to maintain effective internal controls. Develops improvements that will mitigate fraud or financial loss to the Association. Ensures proper segregation of duties within the department and Association.
• Monitors regulatory changes and reporting requirements and implements appropriate systems and processes to meet requirements. Ensures the Association operates under the provisions of the Societies Act, Charities Registration (Security Information) Act, Income Tax Act, statutory regulations, and generally accepted accounting principles of a registered charity.
• Maintains effective working relationships with Association staff and ensures they receive timely financial advice and reporting to manage their positions and departments effectively. Educates staff on financial processes, budgeting and planning, including preparing guides and training materials as required.
• Researches, develops and implements reporting tools and information delivery processes to ensure effective and timely access to financial information. Provides advice and guidance in the development, design and evaluation of ad hoc and routine reports by collaborating with Association staff to provide information for planning and decision-making. Ensures management information is readable, relevant, comprehensive and accurate.
• Assists in forecasting and the annual budget planning. Develops and executes budget projections, fund structures, costing models, analysis and budget planning support. Develops standard reporting to be used for comparison across departments. Supports costings for new hires, projects, programs and initiatives by evaluating funding requirements and availability and preparing complex cost-benefit and risk analysis to support new initiatives.
• Manages and oversees month end and financial review processes, including the posting of journal entries, reconciliation of accounts, and ensures the accuracy, completeness and timeliness of financial information in the general ledger. Also prepares monthly financial statements, performs detailed analysis and communicates areas of concern to budget officers as required. Evaluates and reports on all variances to budget, providing business reasons and recommends recovery plans for unfavorable variances. Prepares financial reports for the Board’s Finance and Audit Committee.
• Coordinates the completion of the annual audited Financial Statements. Prepares lead sheets, analysis and supporting documentation as required for review by the Senior Director of Finance. Plans and coordinates the annual external financial audit, ensuring all deadlines are met. Acts as the main contact for the auditors and ensures information is provided in a timely manner as requested.
• Prepares a variety of external financial reports, including quarterly and annual submissions to the Association’s funders and other organizations as required. Interprets external accountingand reporting guidelines and communicates with external parties as needed.
• Supervises Finance and Payroll staff. Responsible for the orientation, evaluation, and development of staff. Ensures that staff are available to meet scheduled commitments and authorizes work and vacation schedules. Makes recommendations on leaves of absence, overtime and substitution. Participates in hiring, dismissal, discipline and grievance procedures and collective agreement administration relating to support staff.
• Participates in researching and implementing financial information systems that meet the needsof the Association.

ABOUT YOU:

Required Qualifications:

• Undergraduate degree
• Professional designation in accounting from a recognized educational institution (CPA).
• Minimum 6+ years’ progressive experience in a professional accounting position, preferably with fund accounting, with a minimum of 3+ years’ experience as a financial controller with supervisory experience.
• Or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Comprehensive knowledge of the principles and practices of generally accepted accounting principles, deferral method of accounting restricted revenue, registered charity accounting standards and of statutory and other regulations governing non-profit organizations.
• Thorough understanding of complex budgets and financial statements.
• Thorough knowledge of accounting, payroll and office procedures.
• Considerable knowledge of Microsoft Office tools (notably Excel) and experience with accounting systems (e.g. Blackbaud Financial Edge NXT, Martus, Float, Payworks)
• Highly developed organizational, planning and interpersonal skills, with the ability to multi-task and meet deadlines while placing great importance on accuracy.
• Ability to supervise and train employees, including organizing, prioritizing and assigning work ina busy environment.
• Ability to develop and prepare consolidated budgets and financial statements.
• Strong analytical and conceptual thinking skills.
• Demonstrated decision-making ability and leadership skills.
• Ability to exercise tact and diplomacy in interpreting and enforcing applicable financial policies.
• Ability to show initiative and be proactive.
• Strong office administration skills.
• Proven ability to deal effectively, tacfully and positively with Association employees and stakeholders.
• Ability to exercise good judgment and keep confidence.
• Demonstrated written and verbal communication skills.

Our key values and principles

• Inclusive
• Proactive
• Compassionate
• Steadfast
• Collaborative

WORKING CONDITIONS

• This is a full-time position, and the usual work week is 37.5 hours. Most work is accomplished during usual 9:00 am to 5:00 pm business hours.
• The position can be based out of the Vancouver office and offers hybrid working arrangements.
• Successful completion of background screening, including a provincial criminal record check with vulnerable sector screening through the Criminal Records Review Program, and education verification is required for this role.
• Salary Range: $119,116.00-$148,896.00
• Typical Hiring Range: $119,116.00-$120,000.00
• In determining salary, CMHA BC considers many factors including the successful candidate’s skillset and experience as well as internal equity. The final salary offer will be at CMHA BC’s sole discretion.

CMHA BC Division is committed to our workforce reflecting the diversity of the communities within which wework. As such, we encourage applications from persons with disabilities, members of visible minorities, First Nations, Inuit, and Métis people, people of all sexual orientations and genders, and others who maycontribute to the diversity of our staff. Personal experience with mental illness and or addiction, either through self or a loved one, is an asset.

ABOUT US:

Founded in 1918, The Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) is a national charity that helps maintain and improve mental health for all Canadians. As the nation-wide leader and champion for mental health and addiction, CMHA helps people access the community resources they need to build resilience and support recovery from mental illness and/or addiction.

We respectfully acknowledge xʷməθkʷəy ə̓m (Musqueam), Skwxwú7mesh (Squamish), səlilwə̓taʔɬ(TsleilWaututh), Lkwungen (Songhees) and Wyomilth (Esquimalt) peoples on whose traditional, uncededlands the CMHA BC offices are located