Accounting Manager

Status: Permanent, Full-time

Location: Head Office, Vancouver, BC

Salary Range:  $75,587, midpoint $94, 483 and a maximum $108,656

Schedule: Monday to Friday 

Job Summary
The Manager, Accounting is responsible for overseeing the organization's accounting operations and the administration of client trust accounts. This position provides leadership in financial reporting, compliance, trust management, budgeting, audits, and process improvement while ensuring the safeguarding of client assets and adherence to applicable legislation, policies, and fiduciary responsibilities.

The role combines technical accounting expertise with trust administration oversight and requires a hands-on approach to financial operations, staff development, and continuous improvement initiatives. The Manager, Accounting works closely with the Controller, CFO, operational leaders, funders, auditors, financial institutions, and trust beneficiaries.

Key Responsibilities

Financial Management & Accounting

• Oversee day-to-day accounting operations including accounts payable, accounts receivable, general ledger maintenance, reconciliations, and month-end processes.
• Review and approve journal entries, account reconciliations, and financial transactions.
• Support monthly, quarterly, and annual financial reporting.
• Assist with annual budget development, forecasting, and variance analysis.
• Prepare and review funder reports, grant reporting, and financial analyses.
• Ensure compliance with accounting standards, internal controls, and organizational policies.
• Support annual external audits and coordinate audit requests.
• Monitor cash flow and assist with treasury management activities.
• Identify and implement improvements to accounting processes, systems, and reporting tools.

Trust Program Management

• Oversee administration of client trust accounts and trust-related financial activities.
• Ensure trust accounts are accurately maintained, reconciled, and supported by appropriate documentation.
• Review and approve trust disbursements within delegated authority.
• Monitor client trust balances and investigate irregularities, unusual transactions, or compliance concerns.
• Safeguard client assets through strong internal controls and fiduciary practices.
• Ensure trust operations comply with applicable legislation, trust agreements, organizational policies, and regulatory requirements.
• Support client trust account reviews and periodic trust reporting.
• Oversee trust account openings, closures, transfers, and investment activities.
• Assist in the management of trust investments and related reporting activities.

Compliance, Risk & Internal Controls

• Maintain effective financial and trust controls.
• Monitor compliance with trust policies and procedures.
• Participate in risk assessments and mitigation activities.
• Investigate discrepancies and recommend corrective actions.
• Support policy development, review, and implementation.
• Identify and escalate potential fraud, abuse, or misuse of funds.

Leadership & People Management

• Supervise and mentor accounting and trust staff.
• Establish priorities and monitor workloads.
• Provide coaching, training, and performance support.
• Develop department procedures and documentation.
• Foster a culture of accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
• Participate in recruitment, onboarding, and staff development activities.

Systems & Process Improvement

• Lead initiatives to improve financial systems, reporting, automation, and workflows.
• Participate in technology implementation projects.
• Develop and maintain process documentation and standard operating procedures.
• Support data analysis and business intelligence initiatives.

Education

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, Commerce, or related field.
• CPA designation (or near completion) preferred.

Experience

• Minimum 3-5 years of progressive accounting experience.
• Minimum 1-3 years of supervisory or management experience.
• Experience in a Not-for-profit environment is considered an asset.
• Experience managing audits, budgeting, and financial reporting.

Knowledge & Skills

• Strong understanding of accounting principles and financial reporting.
• Experience with accounting software (SAGE300, Quickbooks)
• Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities.
• Advanced Microsoft Excel skills.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines.
• High attention to detail and commitment to accuracy.
• Strong ethical judgment and discretion when handling confidential information.

Core Competencies

• Financial Leadership
• Strategic Thinking
• Accountability
• Risk Management
• Process Improvement
• Client Service
• Team Leadership
• Collaboration
• Integrity and Confidentiality

Working Conditions

• Hybrid working environment possible for suitable candidates.
• Periodic deadlines related to month-end, quarter-end, year-end, audits, and reporting requirements.
• Handling confidential financial and client information requiring a high degree of discretion.

About Coast

Coast Mental Health (Coast) is one of the largest mental health non-profit societies in Canada, and operates a large array of innovative housing and community based rehabilitation services for people with a mental illness living in and around Vancouver.  Coast operates in the Lower Mainland of British Columbia providing approximately 1000 people with supportive housing and 4000 clients living in the community with a wide variety of programs and services.

Coast fosters a client-driven, recovery-oriented environment that promotes restoring health, personal growth and a return to society for individuals with a mental illness through advocacy and providing direct programs and services.

Why Coast

• We believe in the person, not the disease
• We operate client-centered care under the principles of psychosocial rehabilitation
• There is a variety of work within a particular position and within the organization
• We strive to be the best that we can be
• We hold Exemplary Status accreditation through Accreditation Canada
• We have won numerous awards for our innovative programming
• We care about our employees, and believe in living our values and culture throughout the organization

Some of the Benefits Coast Offers

• 100% employer-paid benefits for employees and their families.
• Vision Care, Dental Care, Prescription Drugs, Naturopath, Acupuncture, Chiropractic, Group Life, Massage therapy, Physiotherapy, and Unlimited Out-of-Province and Out-of-Country Emergencies.
• General sick-leave accruals.
• Long-term disability programs.  Short-term disability programs available to exempt positions only.
• 5 days of paid leave for Indigenous Employees for Ceremonial, Cultural, and Spiritual events per year.
• 8 weeks of paid leave for gender affirming care for medical procedures for transgender and gender diverse employees, cumulative total.
• Employee and Family Assistance Program, which includes personal counselling, Life Coaching, Financial Coaching, Legal Referral and Advisory Services, and Health Coaching. In addition, Coast provides a cognitive behavioural therapy program (CBT abilities program) and Headversity for managing a variety of life issues and includes self-paced therapeutic support.
• Municipal Pension Plan with guaranteed lifetime monthly pension when you retire. More information can be found at: https://mpp.pensionsbc.ca.

 ***Employees of Coast must apply within seven days of the posting date with their internal account (Coast email address registered) to be considered as an internal applicant. Current Coast employees who apply to this posting using external accounts or after the 7 day deadline will be considered as external candidates. Seniority will not apply.***

Coast Mental Health is committed to creating a culture of diversity and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will be considered for employment without regard to age, gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation, religion or disability.