Financial Team Lead

Forward Creative Inc.; Halifax; On-site; CAD 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

A community-focused consulting firm in Halifax, NS, is hiring a CPA – Financial Team Lead. This role involves shaping financial strategy, managing operations, and mentoring a team. The ideal candidate has 5+ years in accounting with expertise in Canadian tax compliance and strong skills in cloud solutions like QuickBooks. Join a collaborative team dedicated to making a positive impact across sectors including government and community. Competitive benefits are included.

Benefits

Health and dental coverage

Paid sick leave

Vacation

Bonus structure based on performance

Professional Development Hours

Qualifications

• 5+ years of experience in accounting with public practice and in-house work.
• Strong knowledge of Canadian tax compliance.
• Proven experience managing a finance or accounting team.

Responsibilities

• Lead financial strategy internally and for clients.
• Oversee financial operations including bookkeeping and reporting.
• Manage and mentor bookkeeping team for quality control.

Skills

Accounting experience

Tax compliance expertise

Team management

Cloud-based accounting platforms

Excel or Google Sheets proficiency

Strong communication skills

Detail-oriented

Education

CPA designation

Tools

QuickBooks Online

ERP systems

Job description

Forward Creative is dedicated to shaping a more prosperous future for Atlantic Canada. By partnering with governments, non-profits, and ambitious businesses, we tackle complex challenges and transform bold ideas into lasting change.

Our mission is simple but powerful: to empower our clients to be a force for good. We provide the strategy, the people, and the tools needed to bring high-impact projects to life. Creativity and courage fuel everything we do—because that’s what it takes to drive growth, improve quality of life, and build momentum toward a brighter tomorrow.

We act with intention, leading initiatives from infrastructure and economic development to organizational transformation. But we don’t stop at strategy. Our work is grounded in a deep commitment to community well-being, uncompromising integrity, and a culture of inclusion.

At Forward Creative, we exist to turn vision into reality—and to build a stronger future for Atlantic Canada, one initiative at a time.

We’re hiring a CPA – Financial Team Lead to bring structure, clarity, and leadership to our internal and client‑facing finance operations. From reviewing books and tax filings to guiding our bookkeeping team and advising clients, you’ll help keep the numbers sharp and the systems running smoothly. This role is perfect for a CPA who loves to turn complexity into clarity—someone who’s just as comfortable reviewing financial statements as they are streamlining a messy process or supporting a teammate. You’ll lead with accuracy and insight, while keeping things practical, collaborative, and human. You’ll shape systems, offer strategic guidance, and make sure the financial side of our work is built to support smart, sustainable growth—for us and for our clients.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead financial strategy both internally and for clients
• Oversee day-to-day financial operations for Forward Creative, including bookkeeping, monthly closings, and reporting
• Lead the review and finalization of financial records for client accounts, ensuring accuracy, compliance, and consistency
• Manage and mentor a team of bookkeepers, ensuring quality control, support, and workflow efficiency
• Oversee the preparation and filing of corporate and personal taxes, GST/HST, and payroll remittances (internal and client-side)
• Provide financial consulting and analysis for clients, including forecasting, budgeting, and strategic insights
• Support new client onboarding and system set-up (chart of accounts, software, file organization, cleanup if needed)
• Create and maintain SOPs and internal systems to support team scaling and sustainable workflows
• Coordinate with leadership on business planning, cash flow, and financial forecasting
• Stay informed on Canadian accounting standards, CRA regulations, and tax planning opportunities
• Lead or support CRA audits and communications when needed
• Ensure all deadlines are met, all filings are submitted, and nothing falls through the cracks

Your Skills & Experience:

• 5+ years experience in accounting, with a mix of public practice and in‑house or client‑based work
• Strong knowledge of Canadian tax compliance (corporate, personal, HST/GST, payroll)
• Proven experience managing a finance or accounting team
• Proven experience working with municipalities, non‑profits and businesses
• Confident working in cloud‑based accounting platforms (QuickBooks Online and ERP systems)
• Proficient in Excel or Google Sheets for budgeting, forecasting, and data review
• Strong communication skills—you can translate financial info for clients and teammates alike
• Detail‑oriented with strong time and project management

What You Bring:

• You’re a strategic thinker with operational instincts—you don’t just fix problems, you prevent them
• You care about clarity—you want clients and teammates to understand their finances
• You’re steady and accountable—you follow through and get things done
• You’re a systems‑minded leader—you think in processes, workflows, and sustainable improvements
• You enjoy coaching and mentoring—you’re here to help the team grow and succeed
• You’re calm under pressure and great at managing priorities without losing sight of the details
• You believe financial systems should support creative and purpose‑driven work—you’re here to make it possible
• Health and dental coverage
• Paid sick leave
• Vacation
• Bonus structure based on performance and impact
• Onboarding and coaching from senior team leads
• Professional Development Hours (PDH)
• Purpose‑driven work across government, community, and business sectors

Join Forward Creative Inc. today!

We are a high‑performing team with real opportunity for leadership and impact. Be part of a collaborative, future‑focused environment.

We are committed to providing an inclusive and accessible application process for all candidates. If you require any accommodations to participate in our application process, please reach out to us at [e-mail]. We are here to assist you and ensure that you have the best possible experience.

We acknowledge that we are in Mi’kma’ki, the ancestral and unceded territory of the Mi’kmaq People. This territory is covered by the “Treaties of Peace and Friendship” which Mi’kmaq and Wolastoqiyik (Maliseet) Peoples first signed with the British Crown in 1725. We are all Treaty people.