Financial Controller

Role Profile

Position Title:              Financial Controller (formerly known as Finance Manager)

Department:                 Finance

Reports To:                  Director of Finance

FTE/Hours:                   Full-Time

Salary/Pay Grade:        $120,000k - $140,000 per-year

Location:                      Merritt, British Columbia, Canada

ABOUT LNIB

The Lower Nicola Indian Band (LNIB) is a vibrant and growing First Nations community in British Columbia, committed to the well-being, culture, and prosperity of its members. LNIB provides a wide range of programs and services including health, education, social development, governance, and economic development initiatives.

We value innovation, collaboration, and respect for our traditions, and we are dedicated to fostering a supportive, inclusive, and safe work environment for all employees. LNIB follows Indigenous governance principles and prioritizes community engagement, cultural knowledge, and sustainable development in all its operations.

Join LNIB and be part of a team that is making a meaningful impact in the community while contributing to a dynamic and culturally rich workplace.

POSITION SUMMARY

The Financial Controller oversees day-to-day accounting operations, financial reporting, budgeting support, audit readiness, cash management, payroll, pension & benefits oversight, government remittances, accounts payable and receivable controls, grant and contribution agreement, insurance, asset management, records management, reporting, and continuous improvement of finance systems and procedures. The position supervises and mentors finance staff, supports program managers with timely financial information, and provides reliable analysis to senior administration, the Finance and Audit Committee, and Council.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

·         FINANCIAL REPORTING & ACCOUNTING INTEGRITY

o    Prepare accurate monthly, quarterly, and annual financial reports for senior administration, program managers, the Finance and Audit Committee, and Council.

o    Maintain the general ledger, chart of accounts, journal entries, reconciliations, accruals, deferred revenue, tangible capital asset records, and year-end working papers.

o    Ensure financial statements and internal reports are complete, timely, understandable, and useful for decision-making.

o    Coordinate month-end and year-end close processes, including review of account balances, variance explanations, and supporting documentation.

o    Apply Canadian Public Sector Accounting Standards and Band policies consistently across all programs and funds.

o    Maintain accurate accounting records for asset management, insurance, pension and benefits, and government remittances to support reliable reporting and compliance

·         BUDGETING, FORECASTING & FINANCIAL PLANNING

o    Support the annual budget process by working with program managers to prepare realistic budgets, forecasts, staffing assumptions, program cost estimates, and funding schedules.

o    Prepare regular budget-to-actual reports with clear explanations of variances, emerging risks, and recommended corrective actions.

o    Support multi-year financial planning, cash flow forecasting, reserve planning, capital planning, and sustainability analysis.

o    Help translate strategic and community priorities into practical financial plans that support responsible service delivery.

·         INTERNAL CONTROLS, COMPLIANCE & RISK MANAGEMENT

• Maintain and strengthen internal controls for purchasing, payment approvals, payroll, banking, credit cards, travel, revenues, grants, contracts, assets, and records.
• Ensure financial practices comply with the Band’s Financial Administration Law, finance policies and procedures, funder requirements, applicable legislation, and audit recommendations.
• Monitor financial risks, including cash flow pressures, funding restrictions, compliance deadlines, insurance matters, fraud risks, system access, and segregation of duties.
• Support cybersecurity risk management for finance-related systems by monitoring access controls, user permissions, segregation of duties, data protection practices, vendor risks, backup expectations, incident escalation, and secure handling of financial and personal information.
• Document processes, recommend policy improvements, and support consistent application of delegated authorities.
• Promptly escalate material financial concerns, control weaknesses, or potential breaches through the appropriate administrative and governance channels.
• Oversee compliance processes for source deductions, employer remittances, payroll-related government filings, pension contributions, benefits administration, insurance renewals, and asset safeguarding.

·         AUDIT, EXTERNAL REPORTING & FUNDER ACCOUNTABILITY

o    Lead audit preparation by maintaining complete working papers, schedules, reconciliations, and supporting documentation throughout the year.

o    Coordinate with external auditors and support timely completion of annual audited consolidated financial statements.

o    Prepare or review funder reports, claims, schedules, and reconciliations to ensure deadlines, eligible expenditures, and reporting conditions are met.

o    Maintain a calendar of financial reporting deadlines, funding agreement obligations, audit milestones, insurance renewals, and Finance and Audit Committee deliverables.

o    Prepare or review schedules related to tangible capital assets, insurance coverage, pension and benefits obligations, and required government remittances for audit and external reporting purposes.

·         FINANCE OPERATIONS & TEAM LEADERSHIP

• Oversee day-to-day finance operations, including accounts payable, accounts receivable, payroll coordination, banking, reconciliations, filing, and financial systems.
• Coordinate payroll-related administration, including pension and benefits processes, statutory deductions, government remittances, Records of Employment support, and related reconciliations.
• Supervise, coach, and cross-train finance staff, building a respectful, accurate, service-oriented, and deadline-aware team culture.
• Develop standard operating procedures and checklists that reduce key-person dependency and improve continuity.
• Support program managers with practical financial guidance, training, coding support, budget monitoring, and interpretation of reports.
• Promote a finance service model that is professional, responsive, culturally respectful, and focused on helping departments serve members well.

·         SYSTEMS, PROCESS IMPROVEMENT & DATA QUALITY

• Improve finance workflows, forms, approval routing, reporting templates, coding structures, records management practices, and the design and use of the general ledger and chart of accounts.
• Review and strengthen departmental structures, cost centres, program coding, approval workflows, and reporting dimensions so financial information aligns with operational accountability and leadership decision-making.
• Lead or support a search for best-in-class software and integrated tools, including accounting and reporting systems, project management, HR, time tracking, collaboration platforms, document management, and appropriate AI-enabled functions.
• Evaluate cybersecurity, privacy, access management, audit trail, backup, business continuity, and vendor due diligence requirements when reviewing or implementing finance, HR, payroll, time tracking, collaboration, AI, and reporting systems.
• Use systems and process improvements to reduce manual work, improve data quality, strengthen controls, support secure access to financial records, and accelerate reliable monthly, quarterly, and annual reporting cycles.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• CPA designation preferred; an equivalent combination of education, senior accounting experience, and First Nation or public sector finance experience may be considered.
• Five or more years of progressive accounting experience, including full-cycle accounting, financial reporting, budgeting, audit preparation, and internal controls.
• Experience in a First Nation government, Indigenous organization, non-profit, public sector, or grant-funded environment is strongly preferred.
• Strong understanding of Canadian Public Sector Accounting Standards, contribution agreements, restricted funding, tangible capital assets, payroll controls, and audit requirements.
• Advanced proficiency with Microsoft Excel and comfort using accounting, payroll, banking, and records management systems.
• Experience supervising finance staff, improving processes, and supporting non-finance managers with financial information.

PREFERENCE

The Lower Nicola Indian Band (LNIB) follows Section 25 of the Human Rights Code, giving preference to Indigenous applicants where applicable.