Financial Innovation Associate
About The Position
The Financial Innovation Associate grows with the program: an accounting professional who wants to use their financial skills to contribute to a program directing investment back into the places we live. This is not a typical accounting role. The Associate is the analytical backbone of the certification process, working directly with businesses from single-location social enterprises to large national companies, and helps redefine what it means to be a “creative accountant” by developing new economic tools and reports powered by accounting data for businesses and regions across the country. Reporting to, and mentored by, the Manager, Financial Innovation, the role contributes to program delivery and operations alongside an ambitious team.
Requirements
- Two to three years of accounting or finance experience.
- CPA designation or actively pursuing it. Recent CFE writers are strongly encouraged to apply.
- Strong analytical skills and fluency with financial statements, with the ability to work confidently with imperfect, real-world business data.
- Excellent communication skills, especially the ability to explain financial concepts to audiences who are not finance specialists, with patience and warmth.
- Strong organizational skills and attention to detail, and comfort balancing analytical work with program administration.
- A genuine interest in community economic development, social enterprise, or place-based economies, and in building creative financial tools that direct money into the places we live.
- Comfortable navigating ambiguity in a growing program and working closely with a team.
- Willing to travel occasionally for workshops, cohort delivery and team gatherings, including to Fogo Island.
- Entrepreneurial spirit and positive attitude.
- Commitment to upholding the vision and goals of Fogo Island Inn, Shorefast Foundation, and other affiliated organizations.
- Ability to excel in a fast-paced and dynamic environment.
- Sensitivity to the history and culture of rural Newfoundland.
Nice To Haves
- Bilingualism in English and French would be an asset.
Responsibilities
- Complete the first pass review of every Economic Nutrition certification: analyzing business financial data, validating inputs, and preparing certifications for senior approval.
- Serve as the primary point of contact for businesses during their certification window, guiding them through the process with clarity and care.
- Lead annual renewal reviews and help maintain the certification standards documentation.
- Contribute to writing the rulebook for a first of its kind certification as new edge cases and business models emerge.
- Dig into regional certification data to surface the insights that power the Institute's advocacy reports and point to targeted areas for investment that strengthen local supply chains.
- Provide financial analysis support on engagements with larger enterprises, where certification becomes a deeper consulting relationship.
- Over time, facilitate the financial and data sections of the Economic Nutrition program, teaching business owners and regional partners how to read and act on their own numbers.
- Share in the administration that keeps a growing national program running, including contracts and payment tracking, participant onboarding, scheduling, and KPI tracking alongside the program team.
Benefits
- Health and dental benefits
- Access to an employee assistance program for mental health support and work/life services
- Team member discounts within our businesses (Fogo Island Inn and Fogo Island Workshops)
- Travel to Fogo Island, and allowances for travel
- The technology necessary to complete your work
- Continued learning and professional development opportunities
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Mid Level
Education Level
No Education Listed
