Accountable to: Director of Administration
Direct Reports: Business & Finance Administrator
The role of a Finance Manager is crucial for the overall financial well-being of an organization. As a key player in the financial management team, the Finance Manager is responsible for overseeing and managing the financial activities of the School. They are responsible for managing financial resources, and providing accurate financial information so informed decisions drive the organization towards its financial goals. With their skills in financial management, strategic thinking, and leadership, finance managers play a critical role in ensuring the stability and growth of the organization.
Financial Planning and Analysis:
- Developing and implementing financial strategies, policies, and procedures
- Conducting financial analysis to provide insights into the organization’s financial performance
- Preparing financial forecasts and budgeting to support decision-making processes
- Identifying financial risks and developing strategies to mitigate them
- Analyzing financial data to identify trends, issues, and opportunities for improvement
Reporting
- Ensuring accurate and timely preparation of financial statements, including income statements, balance sheets, and cash flow statements
- Complying with accounting standards and regulatory requirements
- Providing financial reports to senior management and stakeholders
- Producing accurate monthly reporting
- Reporting on company assets and liabilities
- Managing departmental budget reports, liaising with academic and support staff budget holders, and proactively monitoring department spends
Accounting Records, Cash Flow, and Financial Management
- Monitoring and managing the organization’s cash flow to ensure liquidity
- Analyzing cash flow patterns and making recommendations for optimizing cash flow
- Developing strategies to manage working capital efficiently
- Managing relationships with banks and other financial institutions
- Initiate and be co-responsible for year-end, with Accounting Assistant and Finance Committee in a timely manner
- Ensuring effective financial controls are maintained
- Overseeing prepayments, accruals, and other monthly journals.
- Overseeing the School trip budgets and reporting.
Budgetary Responsibilities
- Managing the operational annual budget process, in collaboration with the DoA, including annual projections, & variations.
Risk Management
- Assessing financial risks and developing risk management strategies.
- Implementing internal controls to safeguard the organization’s assets.
- Monitoring compliance with financial regulations and reporting requirements.
- Evaluating and managing insurance policies to mitigate financial risks.
Payroll
- Ensuring a full understanding of the payroll budget to enable comprehensive variance analysis
- Undertake a regular review of cash balances and alert DoA when transfers are required
Departmental Management
- Ensure knowledge sharing is adequate and the department operates effectively during any holiday or absence periods.
- Manage the appraisal process for direct reports in line with the BES policy
- Ensure regular one-to-one meetings are held with team members
- Ensure the department provides an excellent service to all users, both internally and externally
- Establish an atmosphere that encourages new ideas and approaches to work.
- Maintaining a can-do attitude within the team and a collaborative teamwork approach.
- Leading by example, motivating and inspiring team members
Other
- Maintaining high levels of communication with other departments
- Undertaking various other tasks at the request of the DoA, as required
- Overseeing the Society’s accounting system, setting up account codes, budget holders, and report categories as required
- Overseeing full working knowledge of the Society’s fee billing system; purchase order system; forecasting software; and any other system linked to finance along with an overview of the payroll system
- Preparation of financial statements, assisting with month-end and year-end processes, and reviewing financial transactions for accuracy.
- Maintain regular communication with the Finance Manager and DoA. This includes providing updates on performance, seeking guidance on complex financial matters, and ensuring that any significant financial issues or risks are promptly escalated for appropriate action.
Essential Skills Required
Education
- Professional Accountancy qualifications
- Good knowledge of accounting standards in BC and Canada
Financial Acumen:
- Strong understanding of financial concepts, accounting principles, and financial analysis techniques
- Ability to interpret financial data and provide insights to support decision-making
Strategic Thinking
- The capability to align financial goals with the overall organizational strategy
- Identifying opportunities for financial growth and cost optimization
Leadership and Communication
- Effective communication skills to collaborate with cross-functional teams and senior management.
Analytical and Problem-solving Skills
- Proficiency in analyzing complex financial data and identifying trends or patterns
- Ability to solve financial problems and make informed decisions
*Waldorf Early Childhood Association of North America (WECAN); Association for Waldorf Schools of North
America (AWSNA); Ministry of Children and Family Development (MCFD); Ministry of Education (MoE)
Terms and Compensation
- .80 FTE 12-month continuing contract
- Salary commensurate with experience
- Benefits include insurance drug coverage, health spending account, LTD/Life and accidental death, and a RRSP employer matching program.
- A nourishing work environment with a supportive and proactive communication policy.