Team Lead, Finance
About the role
Team Lead, Finance Technology at OCAS plays a vital role in reinventing higher education by delivering dependable technology systems and business services that support Ontario’s public colleges. As Team Lead, Finance, you’ll lead the Finance team’s day-to-day operations, ensuring accurate accounting practices, internal controls, and finance processes aligned with organizational needs. Reporting to the Director, Finance & Governance, you’ll provide leadership and mentorship to the Financial Analyst and Accounting Specialist while supporting financial planning, reporting, and compliance activities. This full-time permanent position requires three days each week in the Guelph office.
Responsibilities
- Lead and mentor the Finance team, providing day-to-day supervision to the Financial Analyst and Accounting Specialist while supporting professional development and responsive service.
- Oversee and approve the month-end close process, including journal entries, account reconciliations, settlements, and accruals for OCAS and partner organizations.
- Review, validate, and post payroll entries provided by Human Resources.
- Maintain and improve internal control frameworks, including approval thresholds aligned with the OCAS Purchasing Policy.
- Update and maintain contracts for financial and payroll services with partner organizations.
- Prepare and deliver monthly financial reports, variance analyses, and financial insights to budget owners, the Executive Team, Employee Forums, and the Director, Finance & Governance.
- Support the preparation of materials for the Audit Committee and Board of Directors.
- Lead the annual budget development process and maintain forecasts aligned to approved operating plans, including cash flow forecasts.
- Coordinate annual audit, tax, and compliance activities, including working paper preparation, year-end documentation, auditor liaison, and statutory reporting requirements for a not-for-profit organization.
- Develop and maintain accounting policies and process documentation, identify system and process improvements, and ensure critical Finance functions are cross-trained within the team.
- Represent the Finance department in cross-functional projects and support the Director, Finance & Governance with financial information requests, ad hoc reporting, and assigned projects.
Requirements
- CPA designation, required.
- A post-secondary degree or diploma in accounting or finance.
- 8 to 10 years of relevant progressive experience, or equivalent.
- Proven ability to lead a team, manage competing priorities, and communicate with tact and diplomacy in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment.
- Exceptional attention to detail, strong problem-solving, and organizational skills.
- Strong verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to explain financial information clearly to non-financial audiences.
- Ability to build and maintain effective working relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
Skills
- Experience in the not-for-profit or broader public sector (nice-to-have).
- Experience preparing financial materials for boards, audit committees, or similar governance audiences (nice-to-have).
- Experience with MS Dynamics Business Central ERP System (nice-to-have).
- Advanced Excel capabilities (nice-to-have).
- Familiarity with Accounting Standards for Not-For-Profit Organizations (ASNPO) (nice-to-have).
Benefits
- Flexible hybrid work model balancing in-office collaboration with remote work.
- 22 vacation days, plus a paid company shutdown during the holiday season.
- Defined benefit corporate pension plan.
- Comprehensive benefits, including vision, dental, extended health care, and life insurance.
- Paid volunteer time and opportunities to support local charities.
Pay
The pay range for this position is $92,660.00 - $108,000.00, depending on skills and previous experience.
Schedule
This is a full-time permanent position requiring three days each week in the Guelph office.
Reports to: Director, Finance & Governance.