Finance Manager, Operations

Federation of Canadian Municipalities; Ottawa; Hybrid; CAD 101,000 - 114,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible work arrangements

Summer schedule

Benefits and professional development

Job summary

Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM) is seeking a Finance Manager, Operations to oversee the full accounting operations cycle, drive financial controls, and provide leadership for the finance team. You will manage AP/AR, cash flow, and reporting, while coordinating with the Finance Director, Operations.

The role emphasizes system improvements, data-driven decision support, and collaboration with auditors and senior leadership in a hybrid Ottawa environment.

Qualifications

• University degree in Business, Finance, Accounting, or a related field.
• CPA designation is desirable.
• Experience with budgeting, forecasting and financial reporting is required.
• Knowledge of CRM and ERP systems is an asset.
• Bilingual English/French is an asset.

Responsibilities

• Oversee the full accounting operations cycle including AP, AR, cash flow and financial controls.
• Lead month-end and year-end close processes and budgeting.
• Prepare financial reports for the Finance & Audit Committee and Board.
• Lead CRM and ERP system integrations and improve reporting and data quality.
• Develop and monitor key financial metrics for senior leadership.

Skills

Analytical skills

Excel

Power BI

Power Query

Power Pivot

CRM software

Workday

ERP systems

Bilingualism (English/French)

Municipal sector knowledge

Education

Bachelor's degree in Business/Finance/Accounting

CPA designation

Tools

Power BI

Power Query

Power Pivot

Workday

CRM software

ERP systems

Job description

Who we are at FCM:

The Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM) is the national voice of local governments, representing their interests with the federal government.

With over 2,000 members, including Canada’s largest cities, small urban areas, rural and remote communities, as well as 20 provincial and territorial municipal associations, FCM represents more than 90% of the country’s population. Through its advocacy, funding offers and diverse programs, FCM’s work has a direct impact on Canadians’ quality of life.

At FCM, we are committed to making the communities Canadians live in more prosperous, sustainable, and equitable. We aspire to deeply respectful, collaborative, empowering and inclusive. All leaders in the organization embrace these values, the corporate culture and the passion for FCM’s mission.

About This Role:

Reporting to the Finance Director, Operations, the Finance Manager, Operations is responsible for overseeing the full accounting operations cycle, including Accounts Payable (AP), Accounts Receivable (AR), corporate credit card administration, and CRM-ERP related financial integrations. The role provides financial leadership and operational support through budget development, month-end and year-end close activities, audit coordination, and the preparation of timely and accurate financial reporting.

The Finance Manager, Operations is responsible for reviewing quarterly financial reports and analysis for the Finance & Audit Committee, ensuring stakeholders receive clear, accurate, and actionable information on financial performance, risks, and key trends.

In addition, the Finance Manager, Operations leads the management and continuous improvement of accounting systems, internal controls, and financial processes. The role promotes best practices, leverages technology and data-driven solutions, and ensures the delivery of accurate, reliable, and meaningful financial information to support organizational objectives and compliance requirements.

What you’ll be doing:

• Oversee the full accounting operations cycle, including Accounts Payable, Accounts Receivable, corporate credit card administration, cash flow management, and financial controls.

• Lead month-end and year-end close processes, financial analysis, budgeting, and audit coordination.

• Reviews and ensures that all A/P and A/R transactions with appropriate backup to establish proper audit trail.

• Lead the validation and registration process for the Annual Conference member portal, ensuring system security, user access, and ongoing maintenance.

• Manages the organization’s cash flow through supervising the accounts payable and the accounts receivable Finance Team and ensuring sufficient segregation of duties and compliance with internal controls.

• Prepare monthly, quarterly, and annual financial reports, including quarterly reporting packages for the Finance & Audit Committee and Board of Directors.

• Ensure compliance with accounting standards, internal controls, organizational policies, and regulatory requirements.

• Implements changes to systems and procedures to streamline administrative processes and improve financial controls

• Manage and continuously improve financial systems, reporting processes, dashboards, and analytics to support data-driven decision-making.

• Lead CRM and ERP system integrations and optimize financial reporting, data quality, and process efficiencies through technology.

• Reviews results of audits for selected samples from auditors. Recommends actions based on results.

• Develop and monitor key financial and operational metrics, providing insights and recommendations to senior leadership.

• Support membership renewal, recruitment, and engagement initiatives through financial and statistical reporting.

• Manage, coach, and develop Finance Operations staff, including recruitment, performance management, training, and ongoing professional development.

• Build and maintain effective relationships with internal and external stakeholders, auditors, vendors, and business partners.

• Lead special projects and continuous improvement initiatives that enhance operational effectiveness and financial performance.

People Leadership

• Responsible for managing staff, which includes recruitment, providing performance reviews, developing performance improvement plans and issuing discipline as required, identifying training needs, coaching, providing advice and direction and developing staff.

• Key contributor to Finance Operation division on future procedure improvement, modern technology transformation

Accountability

• Oversee day-to-day accounting operations across the organization, including accounts payable, accounts receivable, cash receipts, and corporate credit card administration.

• Ensure compliance with accounting policies, internal controls, regulatory requirements, and financial best practices.

• Lead the reconciliation and review of key balance sheet accounts related to accounts payable and accounts receivable, ensuring accuracy and integrity of financial records.

• Drive continuous improvement initiatives by implementing enhancements to accounting processes, procedures, and controls.

• Manage priorities and ensure the timely and accurate completion of accounting activities, reporting deliverables, and project commitments.

• Support organizational objectives by leveraging financial data, technology, and business insights to improve performance and accountability

Decision - Making

• Determines priorities and resource allocation within the Finance Operations team to meet organizational objectives and service standards.

• Recommends and implements improvements to financial processes, systems, internal controls, and reporting practices to enhance efficiency and effectiveness

• Reviews results of audits for A/P and A/R. Recommends actions based on results. Ensures processes are compliant and intact

• Evaluates and recommends enhancements to CRM, ERP, and reporting systems to support business needs and organizational growth.

• Oversees staff performance, development, training priorities, and workforce planning within the team

Communication and contacts

• Provides exceptional customer service and builds strong relationships while effectively managing accounts payable and accounts receivable inquiries with vendors, customers, and internal stakeholders.

• Act as a liaison between Finance, Operations, and Information Technology to support financial systems, reporting, and process improvements.

• Liaises with external auditors on all A/P and A/R related financial audits. Implement changes necessary internally on accounting processing procedure

• Provides ongoing financial advice and support to Managers on all financial processes, policies, compliance requirements and reporting

Knowledge and Experience

• University degree in Business, Finance, Accounting, or a related field, with a CPA designation; an equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered.

• Minimum 5 years of progressive accounting experience, including at least 3 years leading Accounts Payable and Accounts Receivable functions.

• Experience in financial analysis, budgeting, forecasting, and financial reporting, with advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel.

• Knowledge of Power BI, Power Query (M) and Power Pivot (DAX) is a strong asset

• Working knowledge of computerized financial ERP applications and use of analytic tools to interpret data.

• Experience with CRM and Workday platforms to support financial operations, reporting, and process improvement is considered an asset

• Knowledge of the municipal sector and/or experience working in an association environment is considered an asset.

• Demonstrated ability to thrive in a fast-paced environment, with strong analytical, problem-solving, and organizational skills.

• Bilingualism (English/French) is considered an asset.

Specific Working Conditions & Requirements

• Hybrid with a typical office environment at the FCM’s offices in Ottawa.

• Uses a computer as a business tool daily.

• Detailed analysis of financial reporting which required visual effort.

Salary Range:

$101,459.00 - $113,883.00

What we offer:

We offer a flexible work model grounded in accountability, collaboration, and delivering results. It is designed to support both performance and well‑being. While work is primarily virtual, occasional travel to our Head Office in Ottawa is expected. The majority of the team is based in the National Capital Region.

Where applicable, you may also have opportunities to travel across Canada to engage with the communities we support and better understand the impact of our work.

Employee experience and supports:

We are committed to creating an environment where people can do their best work while maintaining a healthy balance including:

• Flexible work arrangements that support productivity and collaboration
• Summer schedule (July 1 to Labour Day):
  • 7-hour workdays
  • Fridays off, aligned with team and operational needs
• Ongoing commitment to employee development
• Comprehensive range of employee benefits and services designed to support employee wellbeing and development. Please note: details and eligibility may vary depending on the role
• Modern office space in Ottawa’s ByWard Market and downtown core

We’re committed to fostering an organizational culture that embraces equity, diversity, inclusion and belonging, where individuals from diverse racial and ethnic identities, ages, nationalities, social economic status, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression and physical and mental abilities can thrive and be fully engaged at their best level.

We welcome and encourage applications from people with disabilities. Accommodations are available on request for candidates taking part in all aspects of the recruitment and selection process.

The future of work at FCM includes a hybrid work model; therefore, this role will be a combination of virtual and on-site work. The successful candidate is required live within 80kms of downtown Ottawa, unless otherwise specified, and be authorized to work in Canada.

As part of our recruitment process, we use automated artificial intelligence tools to screen applicants. All AI-generated assessments are reviewed and validated by our People and Culture team.