Finance Director

Stevenson & White; Ottawa; On-site; CAD 140,000 - 210,000; Full time

Job summary

Stevenson & White seeks a Finance Director in Ottawa to lead finance and accounting, compliance, operations, and administration. The role blends hands-on execution with designing repeatable processes, modernizing financial reporting, and guiding a diverse team, reporting to the CFO and collaborating with senior leadership. A CPA with 8+ years of leadership experience is expected, with strong communication and cross-functional problem-solving abilities.

Qualifications

• CPA designation is required.
• Bachelor’s degree in accounting, finance, business or related field.
• 8+ years of progressive finance and accounting experience with leadership responsibility.
• Strong ownership of full close, board/investor reporting, and audits.

Responsibilities

• Lead financial reporting, budgeting, forecasting, and analysis for senior leadership and year-end activities.
• Oversee cash management, tax, insurance, payroll, and controls.
• Ensure regulatory/compliance obligations are met and coordinate with external advisors.
• Strengthen systems and data, leveraging AI/automation for reporting and workflows.
• Develop and coach the finance and administration team while supporting operations.

Skills

CPA designation

Finance leadership

Financial reporting

Board/investor reporting

Audits & external advisors

AI tooling awareness

Interpersonal communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in accounting/finance/business

Tools

ERP systems

MS Excel

Job description

Our client is a rapidly growing high-tech design firm headquartered in Ottawa, and they are seeking a business-savvy and forward-thinking Finance Director to join their leadership team. Reporting to the Chief Financial Officer, this role provides direction across finance and accounting, compliance, operations, and administration, with a strong focus on financial integrity, effective controls, and continuous improvement. You will be required to move fluidly between designing repeatable processes and personally executing the technical work - supporting development of the board package, reviewing the tax filings, interpreting insurance policies, and coaching a geographically diverse team. Success depends as much on judgement and cross-functional problem-solving as on technical accounting skills. This hands-on role has a high expectation and requirement to modernize how finance and administration operates – including thoughtfully integrating AI tools into reporting, analysis, and day-to-day workflow. Main responsibilities include:

• Lead financial reporting, budgeting, forecasting, and analysis, providing insight into financial performance and supporting senior leadership and year-end activities
• Oversee cash management, banking, tax, insurance, payroll, lending, and financial controls, ensuring strong risk management and compliance
• Manage regulatory and statutory requirements and work closely with external advisors and partners as needed
• Strengthen financial systems, processes, and data, leveraging AI and automation to improve efficiency, reporting, and day-to-day workflows
• Lead and develop the finance and administration team while overseeing general administration and facilities to support effective operations

Qualifications:

The main qualifications for this role include:

• Completed CPA designation is required
• Bachelor’s degree in accounting, finance, business, or a related field
• Minimum 8+ years of progressive experience in finance and accounting, including senior or leadership-level responsibility
• Strong reporting foundation including demonstrated ownership of a full financial close and board/investor reporting cycle
• Track record supporting external audits and managing external advisors across audit, tax, legal and insurance
• Proficiency with ERP systems and MS Excel
• Practical fluency using AI tools with the ability to identify automation opportunities
• Experience in technology, professional services, privately held, or PE-backed environment is considered an asset
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills