Full-time: Senior Manager, Finance

Algonquin Students' Association • Ottawa, ON

8d • CA$95,000 - CA$120,000 • Onsite

About The Position

The Senior Manager, Finance is the organization’s senior financial leader responsible for financial stewardship, strategic financial planning, governance, enterprise financial systems, internal controls, treasury management, and executive decision support. The role oversees all financial operations of the Algonquin Students’ Association, including budgeting, forecasting, financial reporting, cash flow management, investments, reserve planning, audit coordination, compliance, and financial systems governance. In addition to core accounting responsibilities, the Senior Manager serves as the organization’s subject matter expert for financial and payroll systems, ensuring data integrity, system optimization, automation, and integration across the organization. Operating within a complex, multi-service, unionized, and student-governed environment, the role partners closely with Executive Leadership and the Board of Directors to ensure the organization’s long-term financial sustainability.

Requirements

• Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA) designation or equivalent Chartered Accountant designation (required).
• Bachelor’s degree or diploma in Accounting, Finance, Commerce, or a related discipline.
• Minimum five (5) years of progressive senior financial management experience, with accountability for budgeting, forecasting, audit coordination, and internal controls.
• Demonstrated expertise with ERP (such as SAGE) and payroll systems (such as Deputy), including configuration, reporting, controls, and system optimization.
• Proven experience leading financial reporting, compliance, and statutory remittances in a complex organizational environment.
• Advanced proficiency in Excel and financial analysis, including variance analysis, forecasting, and scenario modeling.
• Strong understanding of internal control frameworks, audit requirements, and financial governance.
• Ability to translate complex financial information into clear, actionable insights for executive and non-financial leaders.

Nice To Haves

• Experience leading or supporting ERP implementations, upgrades, or system integrations.
• Experience supporting a student association, not-for-profit, post-secondary institution, or similarly governed organization
• Demonstrated experience supporting executive leadership and Board-level financial reporting.

Responsibilities

• Lead the development, coordination, and oversight of the annual operating and capital budgets
• Monitor financial performance against approved budgets and forecasts; analyze variances and recommend corrective actions across the SA’s diverse operations including student fees, hospitality, theatre, athletics, and recreation
• Prepare accurate and timely monthly, quarterly, and annual financial statements and supporting schedules
• Provide clear, meaningful financial analysis to support executive and Board decision-making
• Oversee organizational cash flow, banking relationships, investments, and liquidity management
• Develop long-term financial strategies that strengthen organizational sustainability
• Lead reserve planning, capital renewal forecasting, and long-term asset replacement strategies
• Act as the organization’s expert and owner of Sage ERP and Deputy payroll systems, including configuration, controls, reporting, and optimization
• Ensure data integrity, access controls, audit trails, and documentation within all financial systems
• Lead automation and modernization of financial processes to improve efficiency, accuracy, and scalability
• Oversee integration between Sage, HRIS, banking platforms, and reporting tools
• Serve as the primary liaison with external auditors, financial system vendors, and service providers
• Design, implement, and maintain strong internal financial controls and segregation of duties
• Ensure compliance with all applicable Board policies and executive limitations
• Ensure compliance with all applicable federal, provincial, and statutory requirements (e.g., payroll, HST, remittances)
• Maintain continuous audit readiness and coordinate year-end audit activities
• Monitor enterprise financial risks and recommend mitigation strategies that protect the organization’s financial sustainability.
• Provide multi-year financial projections and scenario analysis aligned with organizational strategy that supports the SA’s mission
• Support Senior Management with financial insights related to operational performance, capital planning, and resource allocation
• Translate complex financial data into clear, actionable information for non-financial leaders
• Provide financial leadership for strategic initiatives, business cases, and major organizational investments.
• Evaluate the financial viability of new services, programs, and business opportunities
• Lead, coach, and develop finance staff to ensure high performance, accountability, and professional growth
• Establish clear priorities, performance expectations, and workflow within the Accounting department
• Ensure finance staffing and capabilities evolve alongside organizational complexity and technology
• Maintain strong working relationships with financial institutions, insurers, auditors, and Algonquin College finance counterparts
• Evaluate and recommend appropriate insurance coverage and manage policies accordingly
• Participate in senior leadership discussions related to organizational strategy and risk
• Other duties as assigned by the General Manager

Benefits

• participation in a pension plan
• extended health and dental coverage
• vision care
• other supportive benefits that promote well-being
• complimentary access to our on-campus fitness facilities
• additional perks that foster a healthy, engaged, and active workplace culture

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Manager