Description:
The Accounting & Finance Manager oversees the financial operations of the organization, ensuring accurate reporting, sound financial planning, and compliance with not-for-profit accounting standards. This role supports program delivery by providing timely financial insights, maintaining internal controls, and managing the organization’s budgeting, reporting, and audit processes.
Management Accounting
- Lead the annual budgeting process, coordinating with program managers to develop department and organization-wide budgets.
- Prepare monthly and quarterly budget-to-actual analyses, identify major variances, investigate root causes, and provide recommendations to management.
- Develop forecasting models for cash flow, program spending, grant utilization, and organizational sustainability.
- Provide financial analysis and decision support to senior leadership regarding program planning, staffing decisions, capital purchases, and funding proposals.
- Evaluate the financial impact of new initiatives, contracts, grants, and program expansions using cost-benefit analysis, scenario modeling, and sensitivity analysis.
Financial Reporting
- Oversee full-cycle accounting, including general ledger review, accruals, deferrals, reconciliations, and month-end close.
- Prepare monthly, quarterly, and annual financial reports for management, the Board of Directors, funders, and external stakeholders.
- Ensure all accounting activities comply with ASPE/ASNPO standards and organizational policies.
- Manage restricted funds, grants, contributions, and fund balances in accordance with funder requirements.
- Maintain accuracy of financial records and implement adjustments, accruals, and reconciliations.
Budgeting & Financial Planning
- Develop short- and long-term cash flow forecasts and monitor organizational liquidity.
- Oversee grant fund reporting and ensure alignment of spending with restricted fund requirements.
- Support treasury activities, including monitoring reserves and recommending allocation of surplus funds.
- Manage cash flow forecasting, bank account activity, and investment of surplus funds as per policy.
- Oversee payment runs, credit card reconciliations, and financial risk management.
- Attend Board Finance Committee meetings and present financial statements and reports as required.
Grant, Fund & Contract Management
- Manage financial aspects of grant funding, including financial tracking, reporting, and compliance.
- Prepare financial reports for government agencies, foundations, and other funders.
- Monitor restricted vs. unrestricted fund usage and ensure proper allocation of expenses.
Internal Controls, Audit & Compliance
- Implement and maintain internal controls over financial reporting, budgeting, and expenditure approvals.
- Ensure compliance with CRA charity requirements, payroll regulations, government funding agreements, and internal policies.
- Coordinate the year-end audit with external auditors and prepare all required working papers.
Team Leadership & Operational Support
- Supervise accounting staff and provide training, workload planning, and performance support.
- Collaborate with program and operations teams to provide financial guidance and support decision-making.
- Recommend improvements to financial systems, processes, and technology.
- Support overall service delivery and risk management of the organization as directed by senior management.
Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in accounting, Finance, Business, or a related field; CPA designation (completed or in progress) preferred.
- 3–7 years of progressive accounting/finance experience, ideally in a not-for-profit environment.
- Strong knowledge of ASNPO, fund accounting, and grant reporting.
- 3-7 years of experience with accounting/payroll systems. (Sage 50, QuickBooks, ADP Workflow or similar)
- Strong analytical, communication, and problem-solving skills.
- Ability to manage multiple deadlines and work collaboratively with diverse teams.
- Ability to work in-person, in Guelph, ON.