Description:
The Director of Finance will collaborate closely with the VP of Finance to help CARFAX Canada achieve its financial goals and support continued growth. You will lead our financial operations and accounting teams, emphasizing mentorship, continuous learning, and improvement.
You will be responsible for providing accurate, transparent, and insightful financial reporting to internal and external stakeholders to support analysis and decision-making. Your leadership will ensure financial reports are prepared accurately and on time, while adhering to GAAP (Generally Accepted Accounting Principles), corporate accounting policies, and best practices. You will also play a critical role in supporting the business’s growth, overseeing the financial control environment to ensure accuracy, compliance, and risk mitigation. Additionally, you will lead Finance system migrations and support the continuous modernization of the Finance function to enhance efficiency and productivity.
The Director of Finance will be instrumental in driving positive change within the organization, going beyond traditional financial management to address the challenges and seize opportunities. Your strategic insight and leadership will be critical in advancing our financial operations and supporting CARFAX Canada’s strategic objectives.
Position Responsibilities
Functional
- Prepare monthly, quarterly, and annual financial statements within deadlines and in accordance with corporate accounting standards.
- Report on monthly variances and key drivers while proactively identifying areas of opportunity.
- Manage internal control environment and ensure accounting activities are in accordance with company policies and procedures.
- Collaborate with business leaders to improve current financial processes and drive efficiency and effectiveness.
- Drive best practices on all accounting matters including financial systems, month end close, analysis, and reporting.
- Promote a culture of financial responsibility, transparency, and accountability throughout the organization and uphold the highest ethical standards in financial management and reporting, ensuring transparency and integrity in all financial transactions.
- Be the key point of contact for all accounting and reporting matters with internal and external stakeholders (CARFAX Canada, S&P Global, Canada Revenue Agency, etc.).
- Partner with VP Finance to assist with and contribute to strategic initiatives.
- Manage SR&ED (research and development program) and coordinate with key stakeholders to maximize recovery.
- Ensure employee bonus and commission payments are accurately calculated.
- Ensure on-time completion of all regulatory compliance reporting as required.
- Interpret and apply accounting policies.
- Coordinate the preparation of the annual tax return.
- Coordinate internal or external audits as needed.
- Projects and other assignments as required.
Leadership
- Manage, supervise, and train accounting team members.
- Coach team members to increase performance, engagement and productivity.
- Create and execute development plans for team members, while providing supportive mentorship.
- Set and manage priorities within the team.
- Build trusting relationships with directs, peers, and other leaders.
- Foster high team engagement.
- Ensure all accounting processes are documented, and critical responsibilities are cross-trained.
Position Requirements
- Minimum 7+ years of progressive and relevant work experience, including at least 5 years of experience as a people manager and/or director.
- Professional accounting designation (CPA), ideally with a background in public accounting.
- Excellent leadership skills (team orientation, coach and mentor, knows how to influence).
- Strong technical skills, attention to detail, and track record improving team processes.
- A dedication to continuous improvement and ability to implement plans that propel the business forward.
- Robust data fluency, presentation skills and ability to translate insights into clear action plans.
- Expert knowledge of accounting principles, practices and applications.
- Knowledge of US GAAP is a plus (or ability to demonstrate versatility and resourcefulness in researching, interpreting, and analyzing accounting standards).
- Strong verbal and written communication, organizational, and prioritization skills.
- Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills.
- Able to work well under pressure and meet tight deadlines.
- Very high level of ethics and personal integrity.
- Advanced knowledge of MS Office and Excel.
- Proficient in accounting systems with a proven ability to manage and execute full systems migrations.
- Working knowledge of Canadian corporate tax and SR&ED.