Controller

CMHA BC; Vancouver; Hybrid; CAD 119,000 - 149,000; Full time

Job summary

CMHA BC is seeking a Controller who will oversee day-to-day financial operations, budgeting, and external reporting. You will supervise Accounting and Payroll, ensure GAAP compliance, and coordinate with auditors and funders.

The role requires a CPA, 6+ years in accounting with nonprofit experience, and strong leadership. Hybrid Vancouver office, with a focus on accuracy, internal controls, and timely financial insights.

Qualifications

• Undergraduate degree required.
• CPA designation or eligibility required.
• 6+ years progressive accounting experience; 3+ years as a financial controller preferred.
• Experience with nonprofit fund accounting and related regulations.
• Strong knowledge of GAAP and charity accounting standards.
• Proficiency with Excel and accounting systems.
• Excellent organizational and leadership skills.
• Ability to supervise and develop staff.

Responsibilities

• Maintain and oversee the chart of accounts; perform reconciliations and GL analyses.
• Manage Financial Software for full-cycle accounting and payroll functions.
• Develop and implement accounting policies to ensure accuracy and internal controls.
• Oversee banking functions and external audits; coordinate with auditors.
• Prepare monthly financial statements and variance analyses for budget officers.
• Coordinate annual audited financial statements and external reporting.
• Lead month-end close and reporting to the Board Finance Committee.
• Provide staff training and financial guidance across departments.

Skills

CPA designation

GAAP knowledge

Financial analysis

Leadership

Budgeting

Education

Undergraduate degree

CPA designation

Tools

Blackbaud Financial Edge NXT

Martus

Float

Payworks

Excel

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.

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 and analysis of general ledger activity.
• Oversees the management and administration of the Association’s Financial Software to effectively 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 accounting and 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 needs of 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 in a 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, tactfully 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

The Controller consistently conducts themselves in alignment with CMHA BC’s core values:

• 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 we work. 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 may contribute 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, unceded lands the CMHA BC offices are located