Financial Specialist - Support Services

Position Overview

Reporting to the Senior Financial Officer, the Financial Specialist, Support Services is responsible for supporting selected First Nation clients across Canada through remote accounting and on-going training.

Accountabilities

• Develop relationships with assigned clients that have an approved Financial Administration Law (FAL) to promote, build trust and secure buy-in to implement their FAL and ultimately prepare for FMS certification;
• In collaboration with the First Nation client conduct the FMS Support Services needs assessment and identify opportunities for remote accounting and training opportunities;
• To complete any other tasks as requested by FMS Support Services management team;
• Support First Nation FAL clients to achieve FMS certification. "Support" in this context means facilitating, empowering, motivating, educating, and may take the form of:

Remote Accounting Services

• In collaboration with the First Nation client and the FMS Support Services Senior Financial Officer, develop a remote accounting service schedule based on the priorities identified in the FMS Support Services readiness assessment
• Assist First Nation clients with remote accounting support (or in person) as identified in the FMS Support Services readiness assessment. This may take the form of:
  • Processes claims and vouchers for payment, enters invoices, matches invoices with purchase orders, and checks all claims for accuracy;
  • Verifies account codes and signatures for proper assignment of budgetary expenditures;
  • Acts as first line contact with vendors regarding billing problems;
  • Administers & maintains the contingency account/cash advance system including control & reconciliation of the contingency by distributing and receiving money;
  • Liaises with managers/employees on expenditures by ensuring that they comply with policies and regulations and ensuring that funds are available;
  • Processes payment of invoices within specified time frames;
  • Processes payment of accounts by verifying that all contract terms and conditions have been met and determining the right financial coding to avoid financial loss and payment duplication;
  • Liaises with suppliers to give and obtain information necessary to ensure the accuracy of accounts/financial transactions and to rectify any irregularities;
  • Organizes filing of all appropriate documents; stores, updates and retrieves financial data;
  • Prepares monthly submissions for accounting and monthly remittances;
  • Prepares general ledger and journal entries and trial balance;
  • Manages accounts receivable and payable;
  • Opens and closes books for auditors;
  • Prepares financial statements and bank reconciliations;
  • Invoice's clients and answers inquiries;
  • Assesses fixed assets and depreciation;
  • Prepares costing and budgeting as requested.
  • Assisting with any other financial management initiatives as identified by the FMS Support Services Senior Financial Officer.

Training and Capacity Development

• In collaboration with the FMS Support Services Senior Financial Officer develop a training plan based on the information provided in the initial needs assessment;
• Deliver training and capacity development that may take the form of:
  • Journal Entries;
  • Budgeting;
  • Bank Reconciliations;
  • Processing Accounts Payable & Accounts Receivable;
  • Monthly & Quarterly Reporting pursuant to GAAP and PSAB;
  • Any other training as identified by the FMS Support Services management team.

Qualifications

• A Degree in Finance, Accounting, Economics, or another business-related field;
• A CPA designation or progress towards a CPA designation considered an asset;
• Must have a minimum of 5 years' experience in:
  • Providing financial services, preferably within an Indigenous, government, or not for profit environment;
  • Planning, monitoring, and reporting activities (eg. Budgeting, variance reporting, financial statement preparation, etc);
  • Managing aspects of funding agreements (grant/proposal writing; policy writing; facilitation of deliverables; monitoring/reporting);
  • Managing and operating within internal controls relevant to all aspects of a financial management system;
• Demonstrated experience working with information and data management systems;
• Experience with an Enterprise Resources Program (ERP) such as SAGE, Adagio or Xyntax an asset;
  
• Experience with budget, accounting, and reporting systems;
• Must have experience working with Microsoft Office Suite;
• Strong working knowledge of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles;
• Experience working with Federal Government organizations and representatives an asset;
• Must have an understanding, awareness and appreciation of indigenous culture and history;
• Willing to participate in ongoing education and training for the role including indigenous studies;
• Must be fluent in English (spoken and written). Fluency in French or an Indigenous language is considered an asset;

Equivalent or relevant education and/or experience may be considered.

Working Conditions

• This position is based in West Vancouver, British Columbia.
• Remote or hybrid work arrangements within BC may be considered;
  
• Requires regional and national travel.

What We Offer

• Salary and annual bonus eligibility;
• Flexible 37.5-hour work week
• Employer paid extended benefits;
• Matching group RPP contributions;
• Annual vacation allowance and generous paid stat & non-stat days;
• Work-life balance;
  
• Professional development & career growth opportunities.