Chief Financial Officer

The Position

Reporting to Chief Executive Officer (CEO), this position will responsible for directing the financial affairs of STC and its related corporate entities. The position will conduct regular analysis to develop and implement an overall financial strategy to maintain and enhance the financial health of the STC and its corporations. The CFO will provide updates to CEO, Tribal Chief and Board of Directors of the wellbeing of STC overall financial performance. The CFO's major mandate is to ensure STC has a long-range financial strategy which aligns STC to achieves its mission, to meet STC's goals. As a member of the STC's C-Suite and senior management, the CFO will serve as the principal advisor and assist and recommend to STC and it's legal entities financial management systems and is directly responsible for leading STC's finance team responsible to deliver accurate and timely financial tracking and reporting systems, financial forecasting and analysis, budgetary controls, financial risk management, investment management, grant management, central records, and year end reporting assigned and maintained by STC's finance department. Externally, the CFO will establish key long-term relationships with lending and financial institutions, governments and other financial partners that enhance STC's financial outcome to carry out the mission and strategic objectives and goals. The CFO must provide leadership and direction for staff members that continuously promote First Nations' philosophy and the STC's mission and values.

Direct Reports: Finance Managers, Agreements Manager;

Secondary Reports: Pay and Benefits Technician, Accounting Clerk, Accounting Technician, Accountant, Records Management Coordinator, Archive Records Technician.

Responsibilities:

Financial Management and Reporting

• Develops, analyzes and interprets statistical and accounting information in order to appraise operating results, performance against budget, and other matters bearing on the fiscal soundness and operating effectiveness of STC.
• Ensures the maintenance of the STC's financial system of accounts and keeps books and records on all government transactions and assets.
• Works cooperatively with the CEO to direct the preparation of the budget and financial forecasts. Institutes and maintains other planning and control procedures (including the cost accounting system) and analyzes and reports variances.
• Oversees all financial policies and develops internal controls for the organization.
• Ultimately responsible for tax planning and compliance with all applicable federal, provincial payroll, and taxes.
• Oversees and manages the cash flow and variances within the STC corporations.
• Provides strategic and technical advice to work collaboratively with C-Suite and STC Directors to develop and implement overall financial strategies for STC.
• Oversees and manages timely and accurate accounting, general ledge and fund accounting for STC and its corporations.
• Prepares and develops all necessary internal and external financial reports providing monthly financial reports on all funds administered by the organization to the Board and presents the Audited Financial Statements and other financial reports/updates/information to staff, management, funders and STC Governance House Board of Directors in a way that emphasizes clarity, transparency and understanding.
• Ensures depreciation rates to apply to capitalized items and advises C-Suite/Board of Directors of desirable operational adjustments due to tax revisions.
• Evaluates and recommends insurance coverage for protection against property losses and potential liabilities.
• Managing relationships with investors and investment institutions, funders and first nation, municipal, provincial, federal governments/agencies.
• Identifying and managing business risks and insurance requirements.
• Works with programs and STC Member Nations to ensure grant compliance requirements and reporting responsibilities are met.
• Has responsibility for providing STC with the necessary information to make decisions affecting long-range financial plans.
• Responsible for directing Internal and External audits working cooperatively with the auditors to identify areas suggested for review.
• Ensures that the annual external audit reports, management's discussion and analysis to the report for primary and entity-wide audits are completed.
• Provides general direction to the finance staff in the development and maintenance of adequate accounting and financial controls to meet prevailing federal/provincial standards and requirements and to generally accepted accounting procedures.
• Coordinates with the CEO and works with the Program Directors to develop and monitor annual budgets for STC programs including grants and contracts, budget modifications and the approval of all budgets and modifications for STC operations.
• Reviews, develops and updates procedures to ensure financial accountability within Finance.
• Prepares and submits financial reports and updates.

Strategic Leadership and Management

• Manages and evaluates the performance of direct report personnel, including annual reviews and disciplinary actions. Recommends training requirements. Keeps staff at the highest level of skill necessary to meet the STC's needs and objectives.
• Acts as a role model who exemplifies the values and culture of the organization, provides inspirational leadership to employees.
• Provides leadership in developing program, organizational and financial plans with the Board of Directors and STC management, and carry out plans and policies authorized by the board.
• Leads the financial management team to define, develop, and implement annual operational plans to meet corporate goals in accordance with Board policies. Sets and monitors achievement of the annual objectives for the team.
• Supports a workplace environment and culture that is aligned with the business goals and objectives of STC. Ensures fairness in treatment, compensation, and equality in the work experience.

Financial Department Operations

• Collaborates with the CEO, COO and Senior Management Directors to oversee, develop and manage corporate budgets. Ensures the implementation and management of effective internal control systems.
• Collaborating with the CPO, oversees the allocation of human and physical resources to deliver balanced and efficient operational performance.
• Approves expenditures within the authority delegated by the CEO.
• Periodically evaluates each of the financial program and service areas for effectiveness and efficiency.
• Negotiates and oversees the project management of contracts with consultants and contractors as required.
• Recruits, selects, and reviews the performance of direct reports and provides guidance, mentorship, and coaching as required.
• Works within the confines of the Finance budget, quarterly forecasts and implements the appropriate expenditures controls to manage costs by providing recommendations to the CEO on expenses, purchases and resourcing costs prior to purchase or agreement to services; reviewing and monitoring departmental operating and human capital costs; continuously seeking new ways to optimise expenses and labour costs.
• Develops strong teams to carry out the Finance Department strategies by recruiting, selecting, training and developing new members as required; providing coaching, mentoring and developing of existing professions with the project; communicating performance and client expectations and standards and ensuring applicable policies, procedures and best practices are adhered to; delegating and monitoring work of team members; establishing performance goals; evaluating employee performance to ensure goals are met and providing timely feedback, assessment of work performance and discipline if required; creating and following up with employees work and developmental plans; ensuring succession plans for self and employees to deliver on project strategies and objectives; leading the development and implementation of processes and best practices within the scope of the project.
• Positively represent STC and act ethically and in the best interest of STC at all times.
• Communicate with tact and discretion while maintaining strict confidentiality.
• Perform other related duties as defined and assigned by the Chief Executive Officer or designate on an as and when required basis.

Education and Experience:

• Master's degree in business administration (MBA), finance or a related subject and/or a professional accreditation such as the Canadian Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA) designation.
• 5 years of increasing responsibility within a finance department such as in a senior financial position for a First Nation, public sector, or government service agency.
• Previous experience in public accounting also is highly valued.
• Technical skills include general management with bottom-line responsibility, organizational development knowledge, strategic planning, leadership, personnel policies, practices, and procedures, risk management, and communication.
• Experience working within a governance structure in a community development capacity with First Nations; familiarity with First Nations culture, history is considered an asset.
• Demonstrated experience managing staff; providing mentorship, coaching and performance feedback with the ability to motivate others in a collaborative team environment.

Knowledge, Skills and/or Abilities:

• Knowledge and understanding of working with First Nations traditions, culture, and issues.
• Knowledge of First Nation governance, board policies, funding policies, contribution agreements and reporting.
• Proven ability to demonstrate financial acumen, strategic mindset, business insight and manage change.
• Extensive skills in the preparation of financial statements and preparation of financial audit requirements.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, including the ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships.
• Ability to manage, direct and lead staff to the achievement of goals and priorities.
• Analytical, decision making and the ability to recognize challenges, identify causes and provide solutions.
• Dependability: able to work independently, submit accurate documentation, and seek guidance when needed
• Receptive: accept feedback, take ownership of responsibilities, and identifies areas of growth
• Interpersonal Skills: communicates clearly, seek solutions, and demonstrates flexibility
• Integrity: keep sensitive information confidential and adheres to STC's policies
• Initiative: seeks opportunities for further development

Other:

As a role closely involved with finances, a satisfactory criminal background check is required, upon hire.

Must provide a current, original, Canadian Criminal Record Check (CCRC) search as a condition of employment.