Role: Assistant Virtual Controller
Team: Client Accounting Services
Reports to: Manager, Client Accounting Services
Start date:
Why work with us/Summary
This is an incredible opportunity for a senior level accountant or assurance associate if you have several years of audit experience seeking to grow into the next chapter of your career with a CPA firm that focuses on impact over profit. We are a people-first company committed to work-life balance, targeting mid- to above-market salaries. We have ambitious goals for growth, and we want the right people to join us on this journey.
Who we are
We’re a group of activist accountants, brought together by a shared need for purpose. Since 2008, Humanity Financial has been serving clients in the social purpose space and has grown to become Canada’s leading accounting firm doing what we do. We work exclusively with non-profits, charitable organizations, First Nation governments, and Indigenous communities. Our clients are making communities healthier, more resilient, more economically just, and environmentally sustainable. And that’s just the beginning.
We exist to build financial capacity for our incredible clients – whether that is to dive in with catch-up and clean-up work, to support their funder and board reporting, or to serve as a completely outsourced finance department.
Our team includes a group of talented bookkeepers, accountants, controllers, and CFOs. Though our head office is located on the traditional, shared, and never surrendered lands of the Musqueam, Squamish, and Tsleil-Waututh First Nations, we are a remote-first company with team members across different communities in Canada, and an extended bookkeeping team in the Philippines.
Who you are
You’re a CPA with several years of audit experience in a public accounting firm and perhaps looking for something more meaningful in your work. You absolutely love working with clients and creating trusting, collaborative relationships. You enjoy solving puzzles – rolling up your sleeves and putting the pieces together – not just the theory, but the practice. You know that getting into bookkeeping tasks is sometimes part of the job and keeps you sharp.
You want to work with clients who are doing great things; supporting your clients in achieving their missions is what keeps you engaged. You want to align your personal values with your work and to link arms with people who feel the same. You sense this kind of work will require grit and resilience, and you feel that at this time in your career, you’re prepared for it.
Who we’re looking for
We are a growing company and we’re looking for Assistant Virtual Controllers to join our Client Accounting Services team. We would love to welcome folks who can ‘hit the ground running’ and that is best described as someone who might have:
- Hands-on bookkeeping experience: you posted the journal entries; you verified the transactions. You can self-review your work. You completed bank and credit card reconciliations; you know how to chase down supporting documentation.
- Full-cycle accounting experience: you have been directly involved with the full spectrum of financial activities that follow a business cycle; you handled weekly, monthly, and annual events like payroll, month-end, or preparing reporting packages to a board.
- Broad experience with audit engagements in public practice: juggling the needs of multiple clients – namely, private and NPO clients – with varying deadlines; you are resilient and can navigate a sometimes-chaotic client environment, and you know when to ask for help.
- Experience with coaching junior team members and delegating tasks: you’re able to provide clear and helpful instructions and give meaningful feedback to support others to do their best.
- A confident, personable approach: you love working with people as much as with numbers; you are emotionally intelligent, culturally sensitive, and know how to meet folks where they are. You thrive in client-facing work and have been commended for how you make clients feel: seen and heard. You go above and beyond for clients because that’s how you create raving fans.
- Savvy with technology: you’re unfazed by software, whether it is clunky or sophisticated, because in the real world, you’re going to see it all. Using various systems and tools in a remote working environment does not hinder your ability to deliver.
- The ability to bring something valuable to our team culture. This, we can’t define for you. This comes from you, and we want to know what that looks like.
A complete role description can be found at the end of this posting, which describes more fully the responsibilities and requirements for this role.
We know that a lot of technical skills can be taught, and we’ve built a learning library and an onboarding process that fully supports your success. What matters more to us is your desire to learn and grow, and your openness to change.
If what you’ve read so far resonates with you, here’s what we commit to. Read on!
What we offer
Humanity Financial is unlike any other accounting firm you’ll encounter. We are a certified B-Corporation and certified Great Place To Work; we are a Caring Company and an incorporated Benefit Company under the BC Business Corporations Act. We are certified Carbon Neutral and are working towards our Partnership Accreditation in Indigenous Relationship (PAIR) certification. Unlike most CPA firms, we don’t do year end corporate tax returns or audits (so no dreaded “tax season”). We also stand out because we fully support work life balance.
Our team members truly care about each other and our clients. As trusted and cherished advisors, we foster collaborative relationships with our clients. Our kindness is unwavering and simultaneously we don’t shy away from courageous conversations. We support and celebrate one another in doing our life’s best work – ego and competitiveness are not particularly valued. While we have co-created growth opportunities for our teams to build meaningful careers here at Humanity, a “track to partnership” is not on the menu. If that’s what you need, we are not a good fit.
Total Compensation
Our salary bands target mid- to above-market. Our philosophy is to start a new team member in the developing zone (80 to 90% of the midpoint) and support their growth into full competency. The starting salary range for Assistant Virtual Controller is $84,000 to $105,000 per year, where $105,000 is the midpoint.
Assistant Virtual Controllers start at three weeks’ annual vacation plus additional paid time off. Beyond pay and vacation, some highlights of our total rewards package include health and dental benefits from the first day of employment, an RRSP matching program, paid volunteering time, and an annual professional development allowance.
And, if we could put a price tag on meaningful work, we would.
What we include in our recruitment process
We strive to be consistent in how we screen applicants and to provide transparency so you have an idea of what to expect.
- We do not use an ATS (automated tracking system) which means a human being is reading your resume and covering email.
- After a successful screen of your resume and email, the first step is a phone call to establish a connection, and to learn a little bit more about your experience and your personality. Some administrative items will be covered off.
- The step after that is a 30-minute on-camera interview with Humanity’s People and Culture Leader and a member of our Client Accounting Services team. This interview is recorded to be shared with other team members for feedback. This interview covers areas of alignment (your experience, your approach) and culture.
- The next step is a 60-minute on-camera interview with a couple of members of our Client Accounting Services team. This interview is also recorded. This interview continues to explore alignment and culture and is a further opportunity for you to learn more about the day-to-day work.
- You are encouraged to ask questions every step of the way.
- Finally, when we are ready to make an offer, we ask for a list of references. We would love to speak with at least two individuals who you recently worked directly with and so will ask for a list of three. We want to speak with someone who you reported to, who evaluated your work. Pending the reference conversations, we will extend an official offer.
How to apply
We would love to hear from you. If you’d like to apply for this opportunity to join Humanity Financial, please apply through the “Apply for This Job” button on the right, or send an email to [email protected] with the subject heading Assistant Virtual Controller Application and include:
1. An updated resume that demonstrates how your skills and experience are a good match for what we are looking for; and
2. Your response to the following two questions:
a. Just as much as we are evaluating you, we want to know you’ve evaluated us. What do you think makes Humanity Financial the right place for you?
b. Our culture is deeply aligned with our company’s mission and purpose. How will you contribute to our team culture; what will you bring?
In your email, you are invited to let us know if you have any accessibility needs and if you are a member of a community that is marginalized or that experiences structural discrimination.
If you’ve read this far, it probably means you are considering reaching out. And if that’s the case, we’re very grateful that what we have shared resonates with you – we can’t wait to learn more.
Role Description - Assistant Virtual Controller
Job Overview
Reporting to, and with support from the Manager, CAS, the Assistant Virtual Controller provides controller support and ensures regulatory compliance and the accuracy and completeness of all financial information and reporting. This position is responsible for supporting clients with budgeting, financial forecasting, cashflow and the coordination of audit activities and ensures the client is delighted with the services received. The Assistant Virtual Controller works closely with a team of accountants and bookkeepers, overseeing their work and providing coaching, training, and mentorship so the overall capacity of the finance team is improved.
While services are provided to clients remotely, occasional travel within Canada may be required.
Detailed Overview of Responsibilities and Duties
Client Reporting & Compliance: The Assistant Virtual Controller oversees a client’s daily accounting operations and ensures accurate, complete, and high-quality financial reporting. This role develops positive and productive relationships with clients, working closely with them to understand their financial needs and develops financial solutions that support the achievement of their vision, mission, and purpose.
• Meet with new and current clients to review and document their existing financial processes and policies, making recommendations for change where they can be improved
• Review monthly bookkeeping, working papers, and journal entries prepared by bookkeepers and preparers for accuracy and completeness
• Review year-end working papers and financial statements prepared by bookkeepers or preparers
• Prepare more complex working papers and provide oversight and direction for bookkeepers or preparer team
• Develop more complex financial reports in accounting software, and related working papers in preparation for year-end filing
• Provide support, training, and direction throughout the year to our clients’ bookkeepers as required
• Prepare financial funder reports for non-profit and charity clients
• Monitor client compliance deadlines, including corporate tax instalments, GST returns, PST returns, all payroll-related remittances, and year-end corporate taxes.
• Coordinate, plan and implement in scope work (ie. Budget development) so that the work of the finance team aligns to organizational timelines, goals or deliverables
Client Advisory Services: The Assistant Virtual Controller is a trusted advisor and is constantly seeking to deliver the highest level of client satisfaction. This role ensures that service quality exceeds expectations while at the same time ensuring that client engagements achieve budgeted goals/objectives.
• Work with clients to develop individual and master fund/funder and program or project budgets
• Generate budget-versus-actual reports and work with management to analyze the source of the variances to assist in their internal and external reporting and decision-making
• Work with Executive Directors, Board of Directors, and management to develop appropriate internal controls for their organization
• Help clients identify and document appropriate financial management roles and responsibilities and create financial management job descriptions
• Leverage the strengths of the client’s finance team, providing training to support individuals in achieving their optimal potential and organizational goals
• Work directly with external accountants and auditors to ensure a smooth and successful year-end process for clients
• Work in alignment to Humanity Financial’s standard operating procedures and provide recommendations for change where the efficiency and effectiveness of internal financial systems and processes can be improved
Client Management: The Assistant Virtual Controller is responsible for the day-to-day management of a client file, ensuring that services are delivered on time, on budget and within scope of the engagement agreement.
• Assist with onboarding new clients
• Develop, implement, and manage project plans for assigned projects
• Manage and strengthen client relationships; act as the point-person for any technical accounting, compliance, or operational issues
• Create ‘raving fans’ by becoming the client’s trusted advisor
Business Management: The Assistant Virtual Controller contributes to the achievement of Humanity’s business goals and objectives, and from time to time may also support business development efforts by participating in meetings with the Manager CAS around a potential engagement, or an expanded engagement with a client.
• Understand, contribute to, and meet established key performance indicators and budgets for assigned client files
• Recommend and implement strategies (i.e., leverage, process optimization, etc.) to improve cost efficiency of client files
• Schedule and complete “after action reviews” for all significant projects and year-end files, documenting lessons learned
• As requested, support business development activities (i.e., participating in meetings with prospective clients)
• Identify new ways that Humanity Financial could create value and deepen relationships with clients.
Leadership: The Assistant Virtual Controller is responsible for being a member of and supporting a team that strives for excellent service delivery and continuous improvement.
• Proactively share knowledge and expertise with others through delivery of training sessions or through coaching/mentoring
• Provide effective training to preparers, ensuring that all routine tasks are delegated, and performed accurately
• Recommend and implement strategies that support the development of skills and expertise among the team
• Act as a resource to the team, providing advice and guidance to team members
Qualifications, Skills and Experience
An equivalent combination of education, training and experience will be considered.
• CPA designation
• Bachelor’s Degree in finance, accounting, business administration, or a related field
• 3+ years of experience as a CPA working in industry or public accounting firms
• Experience with managing and delivery of projects
• Experience with supporting and/or leading change
• Experience with gathering, presenting, and reporting financial information, analysis, insights, recommendations to stakeholders across different levels
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making skills
• Strong organizational and time management skills with an attention to detail
• Strong interpersonal, communication, and presentation skills with the ability to professionally connect with and influence a diverse group of individuals
• Strong leadership skills with the ability to lead projects and work with diverse individuals to identify issues, design solutions, and evaluate results
• Experience with supporting new client onboarding
• Accounting knowledge and experience in the following areas:
o Bookkeeping, accounting, and financial services implementation
o Regulatory compliance
o Financial analysis and reporting
o Reconciliation and analysis
o Budgeting, planning, and reporting
o Forecasting and reporting
o Financial policy development, interpretation, and application
o Financial risk management, including fraud detection and control
o Organizational performance analysis
o Payroll processing
o Financial governance and implementation of financial controls
o Grants and contract management (as it relates to compliance and reporting)
• Booking experience and/or certification (CPB, Certified Professional Bookkeeper) designation an asset
