Chief Financial Officer (CFO)

The Society of Energy Professionals is inviting applications from qualified professionals to fill an immediate opening for a Chief Financial Officer. The Society is a trade union representing 8,000 professional employees in 14 bargaining units in workplaces across Ontario, primarily in the energy sector.

RESPONSIBILITIES

The CFO is a key strategic leader responsible for advancing the union’s growth, financial management and internal operational strategy.

While leading operational strategy and innovation, the CFO will be charged with developing and implementing increasingly efficient administrative policies and procedures in both the finance and general operational realms.

This position will manage several existing functions including finance, information technology (IT) and administration, and will have responsibility for managing the union’s assets, including dealing with regulatory bodies such as the OMB, and addressing tax appeals, etc.

Reporting through the Secretary-Treasurer to the Executive Committee and Executive Board, this position requires a financial and operational leader with a distinguished record of outstanding professional service and accomplishment. The ideal candidate will have a high level administrative leadership capacity, excellent communication and interpersonal skills, a creative and flexible approach to problem solving and a strong business mind with a solid finance background.

This job is based on a 35-hour week, Monday to Friday, with occasional requirement for weekend and evening work.

QUALIFICATIONS/SKILLS

Bachelor’s degree in a finance-related field, graduate degree/MBA preferred.

At least a CPA designation maintained, including ongoing continuing education.

At least 8 years experience in a leadership role, including managing the finance and administration of an organization with significant financial assets.

Experience within a not for profit or labour organization is preferred.

Excellent people skills, with experience collaborating in a multidisciplinary, diverse, and dynamic team.

Experience should include legal, audit, compliance, budget, and real estate management.

Demonstrated resourcefulness in setting priorities, proposing new ways of creating efficiencies, and guiding investment in people and systems.

Proven effectiveness leading professionals in finance and accounting.

Technologically savvy, with an ability to point to examples of having worked with IT staff to develop and implement new processes and systems that increased efficiency in a fast-moving environment.

Flexible and a self-starter; able to multitask while also being highly detail-oriented.

Exhibit personal qualities of integrity, credibility, and a commitment to The Society of Energy Professionals mission.

MAJOR DUTIES

• Advise the Executive Board and Executive Committee on exercising due diligence and executing their fiduciary responsibility

• Direct and oversee all aspects of the Finance/ Accounting, Information Technology and Administration functions, including managing relationships with all suppliers and tenants

• Recommend changes to the organization’s financial, internal control and administration policies/procedures/systems/best practices to improve effectiveness/integrity and maximize use of financial, IT and administration resources

• Manage processes for financial forecasting, budgets and consolidation and reporting to the Finance Committee, Executive Committee, and Executive Board

• Ensure that annual strategic initiatives approved by the Executive Board are adequately funded during the preparation of the annual budget

• Provide reporting on the performance/value of the work executed vis a vis the budget for the respective work programs

• In consultation with work program owners and Local Vice Presidents, monitor financial performance by measuring and analyzing results, while recommending corrective actions to minimize the impact of variances

• Oversee the preparation of specialized financial analyses, forecasts and reports as needed to ensure that the Executive Board and its committees are provided with timely and accurate financial information to facilitate and support effective decision making 3

• Ensure that effective internal controls are established and ensure compliance with GAAP and applicable provincial and federal laws, regulations and rules for financial and tax reporting

• Provide expert financial & strategic advice as a part of the team negotiating and implementing confidential agreements; on confidential labour relations matters during Collective Agreement renewal bargaining with the Society Staff Union & during the term of the Collective Agreement; and as part of the team determining staff count for the Society’s annual budget

• Manage cash flow and Investments

• Act as the union’s single point of contact (SPOC) with the external Auditor, as well as the insurance, payroll and benefit providers, financial institutions and law firms

• Manage the annual external financial audit and is the SPOC for the internal Audit Committee.

• Manage the union’s trusts by providing guidance to the Principal Officers, Executive Committee and Executive Board where appropriate

• Recommend and oversee the implementation of new financial reporting tools and systems

• Recommend, develop and implement financial policies and procedures to ensure that financial information is secure and stored in compliance with current legislation

• Accountable for the Information technology strategy, assets and security of the Society’s IT systems

• Work co-operatively with the management team to ensure the Society's financial and staff resources are deployed in order that its goals are met effectively and efficiently within approved work programs, budgets and strategic priorities

• Ensure that financial and administrative operations meet acceptable standards by fully utilizing the capabilities of both the Senior Financial Officer and the Administrative Services Supervisor

• Manage all finance and administration staff (through the respective line supervisors) and ensures finance and administrative staff adhere to all Society Policies and Procedures including internal financial controls

• With input from subordinates, set/prioritize & monitor ongoing goals for finance and administration staff in line with the Society's operational & strategic plans

• Promote staff development, succession planning & carry out performance management as required. Coordinate staff efforts, including through regular staff meetings