AVP, Operational Accounting & Finance Systems

Co-operators•Guelph, ON

5d•Hybrid

About The Position

The AVP, Operational Accounting & Finance Systems is a key member of the Finance, Accounting, and Reporting (FAR) leadership team, which provides critical accounting, financial reporting, and finance system services to all companies in the Co-operators Group under a shared services model. This role is essential to delivering on the company's strategy of being a catalyst for a sustainable and resilient society. The team prioritizes people, fostering a strong culture and development opportunities for employees to thrive and live the company's purpose. The national Finance team aims to create, enhance, and protect value for the organization and its stakeholders by educating and influencing the organization to make well-informed, risk-based decisions. They think innovatively and strategically to solve business problems and drive the business forward with practical, integrated processes and tools for organizational success.

Requirements

Minimum of six (6) years of experience in the financial services industry.
Deep working knowledge experience in Operational accounting, financial accounting, financial controls, auditing, and finance systems.
Post-secondary degree in Accounting, Business, or a related discipline.
Solid understanding of project management principles.
Demonstrated strong influence and communication skills to lead cross-functional change.
Considerable experience building a high-performing, highly engaged team with a focus on client service.
Professional designation or appropriate professional qualifications (CPA, CFA, and/or PMP).
Accomplished professional accountant with a proven ability to translate corporate goals and strategy into operational terms.
Ability to work effectively across department and hierarchical boundaries to meet company objectives.
Demonstrated ability to initiate and lead strategic change, develop and implement innovative solutions, and simplify, standardize, and embed new ways of working while building future-ready capabilities.

Nice To Haves

French language skills are an asset.

Responsibilities

Manage Accounts Payable, including the DATABASICS system, and the corporate credit card program.
Oversee the processing of all cheque, EFT, and wire transfer payments.
Manage all general ledger bank account reconciliations and payroll account reconciliations.
Handle corporate cash handling and advisor billing.
Manage common financial systems applications across the group of companies.
Support financial applications for CGIC.
Develop the financial operations aspect of new product and claims applications.
Provide project management support and resources for efficient and effective delivery of new applications, upgrades, and enhancements.
Collaborate with leaders and teams across the Group of Companies on Finance transformation initiatives to drive strategy, capacity gains, cost savings, accelerated benefits, improved data and reporting, and enhanced client experience.
Serve as the key contact for all relevant projects across the group of companies, providing business requirements for A/P, A/R, banking, and reconciliations.
Develop teams with skillsets aligned to FAR’s longer-term strategy, optimizing technology solutions and encouraging automation of tasks within governance guardrails.
Establish and maintain effective, open relationships with all team members, maximizing opportunities for continued employee growth and quality service delivery.
Lead the business process/project management function for finance business and systems initiatives, supporting initiative sponsors to ensure stakeholder involvement.
Develop and maintain appropriate service levels for all Operational Accounting functions, responding effectively to the needs of all companies in the Group.
Ensure cost-effective internal financial controls are in place and tasks for the financial close process are completed by required deadlines.
Lead finance transformation efforts by optimizing technology and restructuring processes to create value, efficiency, and agility across the broader finance function.