Chief Financial Officer (CFO)
Admin DepartmentFull TimeBritish Columbia
Organization Summary:
Empowered by the First Nations Leadership Council and in partnership with the provincial and federal governments, the BC First Nations Justice Council (BCFNJC) is responsible to 204 First Nations in BC. Our mandate is to reduce the overrepresentation of Indigenous people in the criminal justice system and to support Nations as they move to sovereignty over justice.
The BCFNJC is rapidly growing, and we are seeking team members who understand the gravity of this responsibility and are excited by the opportunity. Indigenous people in BC deserve world-class legal services and programs. We are seeking to hire staff who share our vision and will not stop until we reach our goal. We take our mandate seriously but also strive for a balanced, caring work environment that is respectful and supportive.
Position Summary:
The Chief Financial Officer (CFO) will direct first of its kind, transformative work in BC. With complex and novel funding models, the organization seeks to diversify its revenue streams and elevate its strategic partner relations and reporting. Reporting to the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and working closely with Council and the provincial government, the CFO is responsible for managing the organization’s overall financial position and plays a critical role in developing and implementing the financial strategy of BCFNJC. As a member of the leadership team, the CFO will design and implement financial policies, strategies, reporting structures, and an internal control framework to ensure financial stability and support the rapid expansion and advancement of the BC First Nations Justice Strategy (“Justice Strategy”), a first of its kind roadmap to justice system transformation for Indigenous People in BC. The work of BCFNJC, and therefore the structure that the CFO informs, will provide a model for other provinces and Canada to mirror.
The CFO advises the CEO, Council and the leadership team on a wide range of financial issues for the organization and actively participates in problem-solving and decision-making for a variety of strategic and operational issues. The CFO will establish high-performance business functions with dedicated, skilled, engaged, and focused team members and efficient financial, administrative, and risk practices. The CFO will coach, mentor, and lead the finance team and support the developing fiscal management capacity of the leadership team and staff members.
Key Duties and Responsibilities:
Strategic and Operational Planning
- Participate in developing the strategic plan to advance BCFNJC guiding principles, and to promote revenue, profitability and growth of the organization.
- Provide leadership and oversight of BCFNJC’s finances.
- Create and establish yearly financial objectives that comply with all funding agreements and align with BCFNJC strategic plans.
- Lead the finance and accounting functions including annual budgeting, forecasting, business planning, analysis, reporting, capital planning, insurance, asset management, audits, cost control and acquisitions.
- Translate the strategic plans for financial planning and accounting into operational plans.
- Play a key role in developing and implementing a strategy to ensure the permanence of the BCFNJC through changes in political environments, particularly through a revenue diversification strategy.
- Support and mentor the leadership team, a diverse group of professionals, to become adept at budgeting, forecasting, and seeking funding for their work under the Justice Strategy.
Financial Management
- Review prior financial results and discuss anticipated changes to highlight future needs and trends.
- Monitor financial performance against budgets and explore, analyze and report variances for discussion and decision-making.
- Ensure the reporting requirements of the policy and government funding agencies are met by overseeing development of scheduled, periodic and ad hoc financial statements and reports. The CFO has the ultimate responsibility for the timeliness and accuracy of all financial reporting.
- Identify within a risk management framework, all risks to the organization, and develop and implement internal controls to mitigate these risks.
- Oversee the year-end audit process including the review and/or preparation of working papers, schedules, analysis and other required documentation.
- Assess and evaluate the financial performance of the organization regarding long-term operational goals, budgets and forecasts.
- Coordinate the development/renewal of policies and procedures required for good governance and financial management of the organization.
Program and Service Delivery
- Work with the Administration to meet the requirements of finance policies, understand the goals and objectives, key drivers of success, information and measurement systems and processes and reporting.
- Maintain effective and efficient accounting systems, processes and practices based on recognized accounting principles, policies, procedures and guidelines while ensuring compliance.
- Provide the CEO, Finance and Audit Committee, leadership team and Council with historical, current and future projected information and analysis about organizational performance.
- Develop a process of assessing and reporting on the overall performance of the organization.
Relationship Management
- Communicate, engage and interact with internal and external partners and maintain relationships with consultants, auditors, financial institutions, funders, and diverse communities of interest including Indigenous peoples and the public.
- Establish and maintain collaborative, ongoing relationships with Council, the Finance and Audit Committee, BCFNJC leadership team, and other committees.
- Strengthen BCFNJC relationships with government funding agencies including but not limited to the Province of British Columbia, the Government of Canada, and the Law Foundation of British Columbia.
- Provide advice and guidance to the leadership team and Council.
- Represent BCFNJC in the community.
Qualifications and Experience:
- Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA) or Certified Aboriginal Financial Manager (CAFM) designations
- 10 years of experience working in finance, accounting and auditing and 5 years in a senior role leading the finance function or an equivalent combination of education and experience
- Experience leading the finance function in an Indigenous organization preferred.
- Experience implementing accounting standards for non-profit organizations (ASNPO).
- Experience with government funded program planning and reporting.
- Experience developing and managing budgets from a variety of revenue streams and in excess of $20M.
- Crown corporation experience an asset.
- Understanding of Public Sector Accounting Standards (PSAS).
- Expert in modern financial software, spreadsheets, and other accounting applications.
- Sage Intacct experience is preferred.
- In-depth experience in designing and implementing financial reporting systems and processes.
- Must display excellent organizational and project management skills.
- Must display excellent oral communication skills.
- Exceptional attention to detail and accuracy in financial record keeping.
- A demonstrated record of successfully leading, influencing direct and indirect reports.
- Knowledge of public policies and federal policies that apply to First Nation entities.
- Strong communication skills and ability to mentor and support a diverse team.
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with strong ability to actively listen to others and build rapport and trust.
- A well-defined sense of diplomacy, including solid negotiation, conflict resolution, and people management skills.
- Exceptional leadership skills, with a strong focus on mentoring and motivating and encouraging creative thinking by staff.
- High level of humility, integrity, confidentiality, and accountability.
- Strong working knowledge of the principles and practices of management and supervision.
- Strong political and financial acumen and ability to manage conflicts and both champion and advocate from an Indigenous lens that promotes greater self-determination of Indigenous people and organizations to all stakeholder parties and the public.
- Ability to evaluate alternative solutions and develop sound conclusions, recommendations, and courses of action.
- Ability to understand, interpret, explain, and apply local, provincial, and federal laws and regulations.
- Ability to evaluate management practices and adopt effective courses of action.
- Sound analytical thinking, planning, prioritization, and execution skills.
- Valid BC Driver’s License, the use of a vehicle and ability to travel.
- A clear criminal reference check (CPIC) and Vulnerable Sector Clearance will be a condition of employment.
Job Description: Chief Financial Officer (CFO)
Reporting: This position will report to the Chief Executive Officer (CEO)
Location: Any BCFNJC location, Hybrid or Remote, BC
Benefits: Extended benefits package that includes health and dental, personal days, paid vacation, and RRSP/TFSA savings plans
Pay Range: Starts at $170,000 - $200,000. Salary will be commensurate with experience and education.
Hours: Full-time (35hours / week); 8:30am - 4:30pm Mondays to Fridays
While we recognize the value of diversity in the workplace and welcome applications from people of all backgrounds, preference will be provided to Indigenous applicants in accordance with section 41 of the BC Human Rights Code. Candidates of Indigenous background are encouraged to self-identify on their application.