Finance Specialist

Earnscliffe; Ottawa, Toronto; Hybrid; CAD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Earnscliffe is a Canada-based leading public affairs and communications firm seeking a Finance Specialist to manage day-to-day financial operations in a hybrid Ottawa or Toronto setting.

The role reports to the Financial Controller and supports accounts payable, receivable, expense management (Nexonia), cash transfers, bank reconciliations, and month-end close.

If you thrive in a small-team environment and can own end-to-end accounting tasks while helping the broader team, apply now.

Qualifications

• Minimum three years of progressive experience in finance or accounting.
• Strong understanding of accounting principles and practices.
• Advanced Excel skills (VLOOKUP, Pivot Tables, Data Validation).
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.

Responsibilities

• Manage full AP cycle: invoicing, coding, and payment runs.
• Cover AR functions: client invoicing, collections, and doubtful debts.
• Process staff expense claims and EFTs; handle bank transfers.
• Prepare month-end journal entries; maintain ledgers and depreciation.
• Assist in year-end closing and audit support.

Skills

Advanced Excel

Accounting principles

Communication skills

Tools

Sage

QuickBooks

Nexonia

Job description

Earnscliffe is one of Canada’s leading public affairs, public relations, opinion research, digital and design firms. We work with organizations, businesses, associations, coalitions, and campaigns to navigate complex challenges, shape public conversations, and connect with the audiences that matter most.

Our integrated teams bring together expertise across strategic communications, public affairs, research, digital strategy, and creative design to deliver thoughtful, impactful work grounded in insight and execution. From advocacy campaigns and stakeholder engagement to branding, content, and digital communications, we help clients move their objectives forward through strategies that are clear, creative, and effective.

The Finance Specialist is responsible for the day-to-day execution of transactions related to the firm’s financial operations. Reporting directly to the Financial Controller, with upward engagement with the Director of Finance, this role is responsible for the accurate and timely processing of AP, credit cards, employee expenses, and for the maintenance of robust financial records. The ideal candidate thrives in a small-team environment where they can take "end-to-end" ownership of accounting tasks while supporting the broader team.

Strategic Focus Areas

• Financial Integrity: Ensure all financial transactions are recorded in accordance with accounting principles and the internal firm policies.
• Operational Efficiency: Streamline the flow of credit card transactions, accounts payable and expenses to maintain optimal working capital.
• Accuracy & Compliance: Execute entries in a timely fashion with 100% accuracy to ensure regulatory compliance.
• Reporting Support: Assist the Director of Finance and Controller in preparing monthly financial reports by maintaining “clean\" and reconciled sub-ledger and general ledger accounts.

Responsibilities & Duties

Accounts Payable & Receivable

• Manage the full AP cycle: verifying invoices, matching and coding to appropriate projects/departments, and preparing payment runs.
• Ensure accurate project-coding for all disbursements including employee expenses and credit card transactions to facilitate precise client re-billing.
• Provide coverage to AR function, including generating client invoices for service line teams, assistance with collections, and provision for doubtful debts.

Expense & Cash Management

• Review and process staff expense claims (Nexonia), ensuring adherence to the firm’s travel and expense policies.
• Manage electronic cash fund transfers (EFTs) and other payments including wire transfers.
• Assist with bank reconciliations.

General Ledger & Reconciliations

• Prepare and post journal entries for month-end and year-end closing.
• Maintain accrual ledgers and prepaid expenses continuity schedules.
• Provide monthly financial analysis over budget-to-actual expenses and trends.
• Maintain the fixed asset register and record depreciation.
• Assist in the preparation of HST returns and supporting documentation.

Administrative & Team Support

• Assist with the preparation of working papers for audit, review engagements and periodic tax filings and compliance requirements including year-end returns.
• Provide administrative support as needed to meet departmental deadlines.

Qualifications & Requirements

• Minimum three (3) years of progressive experience in finance and/or general accounting roles with specific experience in accounts payable.
• Demonstrates a solid understanding of accounting principles and practices.
• Advanced Excel skills(VLOOKUP, Pivot Tables,and Data Validation)
• Proficiency with financial reportingand expense software,including Sage, QuickBooks, and Nexonia would be highly desirable.
• Excellent communication, and interpersonal skills.

This position is a full-time, permanent, hybrid role and is open to candidates located in Ottawa or Toronto.

This is an existing role. This employer uses artificial intelligence technology to assist in screening, assessing, or selecting applicants for this position.

Earnscliffe is an equal opportunity employer committed to building a diverse and inclusive workplace. We encourage applications from all qualified individuals and will provide accommodations throughout the recruitment process, upon request.

We thank all applicants for their interest; however, only those selected for an interview will be contacted.