Senior Financial Accountant

The Salvation Army is an international Christian church. Its message is based on the Bible; its ministry is motivated by love for God and the needs of humanity.
Mission Statement The Salvation Army exists to share the love of Jesus Christ, meet human needs and be a transforming influence in the communities of our world.

Core Values The Salvation Army Canada and Bermuda has four core values:
Hope: We give hope through the power of the gospel of Jesus Christ.
Service: We reach out to support others without discrimination.
Dignity: We respect and value each other, recognizing everyone’s worth.
Stewardship: We responsibly manage the resources entrusted to us.

The Senior Financial Accountant (“SFA”)is a leader of an accounting group and reports to the Assistant Director of Financial Accounting.  Utilizing hands-on accounting experience and an in-depth understanding of accounting principles and organizational practices, the SFA will perform complex accounting activities and process development.  Responsibilities include, but are not limited to, accountability for account reconciliation, financial reporting, budget preparation, and provision of financial management advice to various stakeholders.

Accountabilities:              

General Ledger maintenance and validity and related financial and analytical functions:

• Manages monthly closing of the financial records and posting of month end information to ensure the accuracy of financial statements
• Masters the Salvation Army policies to ensure expenditure claims, accrual and journal entries are appropriate and accurate as well as revenue accounts are correctly coded
• Evaluates scenarios where internal policies are in conjunction with laws
• On a monthly basis, reviews unit financial statements for accuracy, and financial health (i.e. Cash flow, fund balances, budgetary performance, etc.)
• Develops new processes to promote efficiencies and improve internal controls
• Implements and maintains systems and policies to support new processes
• Advises and mentors accountants and partners regarding policy, tax law and accounting principles
• Prepares the monthly journal entries to record purchases and sales of investment portfolio assets, and any related gain or loss, based on the information supplied to him/her by the Investment Officer
• Approves journal entries prepared by others.
• Performs significant account reconciliations ensuring that they are prepared on a timely basis and that appropriate clearing actions are taken
• Researches and reconciles discrepancies on the bank reconciliations
• Identifies errors and instructs the team of the required corrections
• Prepares various accruals / pre-paids and ensures transactions are reflected in the appropriate accounting period.

Oversight and maintenance with preparation of financial documents and reporting tools:

• Prepares annual audit schedule and financial statements in accordance with the requirements of the funding agreements.
• Prepares and or oversees preparation of client entities’ annual Registered Charity Information Returns by staff.
• Ensures government filings are prepared in accordance with all applicable policies and guidelines.
• Critically reviews and analyzes monthly budget variance report and balance sheet accounts regularly and identifies all significant budget variances and ensures information is complete and accurate.
• Discusses budget variance analysis reports, forecasts and corrective action with partners.
• Acts as a member of the budget team, in preparing a first draft of ministry unit budgets, and collaborating on a final budget submission on behalf of ministry units and THQ/DHQ departments.
• Prepares multi-year forecasts on behalf of clients
• Maintains client entity registration for the taxes including timely filing of returns.
• Researches and/or prepares various analytical and financial reports.
• Completes various recurring and ad hoc reports requested by funders, other government departments, ministry unit leaders, and other finance team members.

Manage partnership with ministry units and external clients:

• Acts as the designated client contact and follows up with clients concerning outstanding issues related to financial statement and accounting processes
• Remains fluent with and understands Salvation Army policies to ensure accounting transactions are in line with policy and procedure.
• Initiates and maintains ongoing communications with clients, treating them with respect and courtesy at all times. Develops an understanding of client requirements, providing detailed solutions and explanations to queries.

Education, Qualifications and Certifications:  

•  Bachelor Degree in Finance/ Accounting stream.
• The SFA must be enrolled in CPA program PEP.

Experience and Skilled Knowledge Requirements  

• Three years but less than five years of relevant experience (AP/AR/GL).

Skills and Capabilities (examples provided below):

• Attention to detail, problem solving and analytical skills.
• Strong sense of integrity and confidentiality with professional ethics and a balanced sense of fairness and flexibility.
• High quality Excel spreadsheet skills for handling large volumes of data (function knowledge specific to VLookups and index/match, indirect, trims, left, right, mid, substitute, if statements [with or/and logic])
• Excellent knowledge of Word
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills.
• Excellent customer service skills are a must.

The Salvation Army offers accommodation for applicants with disabilities in its recruitment process. If you are contacted to participate in an interview or screening process, please advise us if you require accommodation.

In support of our commitment to a healthy and safe workplace and community, The Salvation Army (TSA) has a vaccination requirement for all employees in Canada.  The successful candidate will be made an offer of employment on the condition of being fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and will be required to provide proof of full vaccination, prior to their employment start date. The requirement to be fully vaccinated is subject to provincial/territorial human rights legislation. If the candidate is unable to vaccinate for a reason protected by the Human Rights Code, a request for accommodation can be submitted and written proof satisfactory to TSA will be required.

We thank all applicants, however, only those candidates to be interviewed will be contacted. Internal Applicants, please advise your managing supervisor of your intentions prior to submitting your application.