Director, Accounting

First West Credit Union View all jobs

Langley City, BC
Permanent
Full-time

1 month ago

Job Category: Finance & AccountingJob Description:We are currently seeking a Director, Accounting to join our team.The Director, Accounting leads the organization's accounting operations and ensures high-quality financial reporting in accordance with Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS). This role oversees the general ledger, subsidiary accounting, specialized accounting activities and accounts payable, delivering accurate and timely financial statements for a nationally regulated financial institution. As the senior technical accounting authority, the Director develops and maintains accounting policies, evaluates the effect of evolving standards, and directs the organization's approach to the implementation. This role protects organizational assets by elevating internal controls, strengthening governance, and embedding sound risk practices into accounting processes. Through partnership with internal leaders and external stakeholders, the Director drives continuous improvement, develops efficient and scalable business processes, and supports informed decision making across the organization.Here's what would be included as a part of your typical day * Leadership: Provides strategic and people-centered leadership across the accounting and AP functions, including workforce planning, recruitment, onboarding, capability development, goal setting, performance management, and succession planning. Fosters a high-performance culture grounded in employee engagement, psychological safety, accountability, and cross-functional collaboration, while promoting cross-training to enhance resilience and scalability.

Accounting and Audit: Provides strategic oversight to ensure the integrity, accuracy, and reliability of the organization's financial information, statements, and control environment in accordance with IFRS. Serves as the organization's senior technical accounting authority on IFRS interpretation and application.s and leading the assessment and implementation of new and amended standards impacting the credit union and its subsidiaries. Leads the end-to-end external audit process and acts as the senior liaison with external auditors and oversight bodies. Partners closely with cross-functional leaders to ensure audit readiness, timely resolution of accounting and control matters, and continuous enhancement of financial governance. Collaborates strategically with the tax function to align IFRS-based accounting outcomes with tax planning, regulatory requirements, and long-term business objectives across the enterprise.
Controls and Compliances: Provides strategic leadership to establish, maintain, and enhance a robust accounting control framework that supports accurate financial reporting and strong governance. Ensures the design and effective operation of accounting principles, policies, and reporting controls across the department and source systems, with clear accountability for data integrity and quality assurance over financial transactions. Partners closely with leaders across the Credit Union, internal and external audit teams, and regulatory authorities, including OSFI, to ensure financial reporting processes are efficient, scalable, and fully compliant with regulatory and accounting requirements.
Organizational Collaboration: Partners with Finance leadership to advance department-wide objectives and ensure alignment with enterprise financial strategy. Brings a deep understanding of end-to-end operational processes, systems, and their impact on the internal control environment to proactively identify, assess, and resolve complex operational challenges. Serves as a trusted advisor across the organization by participating in leadership meetings and leading or contributing to special initiatives of strategic importance. Provides clear, timely, and insightful technical briefings to leadership and stakeholders at all levels, translating complex accounting and control matters into actionable business insights.
Professional Development: Maintains professional and technical knowledge by attending educational workshops, reviewing professional publications, establishing personal networks. Maintains CPA continuing professional development requirements.

Required Skills, Experience & Qualifications

Bachelor's degree in business administration, accounting or a related field required
CPA, CGA, CA or CMA required
9+ years of progressive accounting or finance experience, including 5+ years in a management or leadership role
Advanced knowledge of IFRS, accounting theory and standards, internal control over financial reporting, and taxation required
Experience in a nationally operated financial institution preferred
Experience leading change and effectively developing teams of people required
Proven ability to collaborate with cross departmental and multiple business unit groups
Demonstrated relationship building skills with the ability to communicate verbally, in writing and through presentations with a wide variety of stakeholders at varying levels
Proven leadership in organizational or process change
Proven ability to develop and execute on business plan and bridge any finance/accounting/regulatory change requirements to the business needs
Demonstrated strong ability to manage multiple sources of diverse and complex information applied to the resolution of complex issues
Advanced knowledge of banking systems and ERP systems
Deep understanding of IFRS standards
Strong expertise in accounting and control processes with a large and complex organization
Displays an understanding of risk and risk ownership by being able to demonstrate adherence to policies and procedures.

About Us:What's in it for you:First, we strive to make our team members feel genuinely rewarded. You'll have:

Mental health coverage and resources
Customizable health benefits, as well as topped-up parental leave
Performance-based compensation, employee banking advantages and group RRSP matching
Vacation time and flexible work arrangements to support your lifestyle

We are committed to providing a fair, equitable, and competitive rewards package that reflects the value an individual brings to our organization. The compensation mentioned in this job posting should serve as a guide. The total cash compensation earned may vary based on a variety of factors including bonuses and/or incentives, an individual's skills and experience, and may correlate with performance in the role.We also provide and encourage opportunities for our employees to make a meaningful impact. After all, as a credit union we're powered by giving back-in big ways and through small gestures. That's why we offer employees paid time off to volunteer, partner with thousands of local charities, build long-lasting relationships that help our members get ahead and commit to environmental, social and governance (ESG) practices.By joining our team, you'll be able to elevate your potential. Wherever your own purpose leads, we're here to support you with award-winning in-house training programs, access to LinkedIn Learning, and reimbursement for external courses to help you get ahead.Take the next step in your career as part of our team. Apply for this opportunity!Candidates, please note: if you are being considered for this role, you will be required to complete a background check, such as employment verification, credit check and criminal record check.Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & BelongingAt First West Credit Union, we embrace diversity regardless of gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, religion, race, ethnicity, age, diverse ability, and any aspect that makes someone unique. Inclusion is woven through our organization, from our employee-led network groups, hiring practices and education programs that address barriers and continually grow our equitable, diverse and inclusive culture.We encourage people who are from equity-deserving groups to apply for a career with us, including women or non-binary people, persons with diverse abilities, Black, Indigenous Peoples, People of Colour and members of 2SLGBTQIA+ communities.If an accommodation would help you during the process of applying or interviewing for a career with us, please let us know how we can assist you, whether it's preparing materials in an alternate format, booking an accessible meeting room or other arrangement.Your individuality is welcome here.About UsWe're a financial cooperative that does things differently. We provide time-tested advice that helps our members feel optimistic about their future, and we offer comprehensive banking solutions that enable people to confidently reach their goals. With the financial strength and extended branch network of a large financial institution, we maintain local connections to our communities and take a unique grassroots approach to service. Our more than 250,000 members and approximately 1,250 employees operate from 45 branches throughout the province of BC, under the Envision Financial, Valley First, Island Savings and Enderby & District Financial brands. Visit firstwestcu.ca for more information on First West Credit Union.Please know we appreciate your interest in us but only candidates selected for an interview will be contacted.

First West Credit Union

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