Finance Manager

Who we are

Children are at the front and centre of what we do; they are the foundation of our purpose and the basis for our evidence-driven strategy. Our mission is to transform the lives of children, youth and their families by developing and delivering innovative, research-based mental health and early learning programs. At the Child Development Institute (CDI), we are passionate about helping our communities’ most vulnerable members and their caregivers. It motivates each of us to face what can be difficult situations while continuously finding the purest joy in play, in silence, in advice, and in the unbelievable strength and resilience of our young clients. Joining us now is a rewarding opportunity to be part of an organization that is built on a legacy of more than 100 years of helping children and families.

Recognized as a leader and model for measurement-based impact, we are client-centred, family-centred, and data-informed. We are a place where professionals grounded in mental health, care, and well-being of infants, children and youth, come together in collaboration, learning and inclusion. As a multiservice organization delivering social, emotional, and behavioural counselling services, early childhood education, learning disabilities and mental health services, and family violence services, we address the whole person from when they begin their life. Every child and family that reaches out to us is unique, and we value and embrace their individuality. We deliver the tailored support and tools they need to build life-long skills, positive mental health, and resilience. With their trust in us, we guide children and families along a supportive journey. It is an often difficult path and simultaneously the most rewarding experience for providers, children and families.

Who we need

Reporting to the Director, Finance, we are hiring a Finance Manager to provide leadership and oversight across CDI’s financial operations, accounting, reporting, compliance, and internal controls. As our new Finance Manager, you will lead key financial processes, including month-end and year-end reporting, budgeting and planning, audits, treasury, and funder reporting, while ensuring the accuracy and integrity of financial information. You will lead and develop the accounting team, strengthen financial processes and systems, and partner with program managers and senior leadership to provide the financial insight and guidance they need to make informed decisions and support CDI’s programs and priorities.

This is a permanent, full-time role based at our head office at 197 Euclid Avenue in Toronto. You will work onsite for your first 60 days for training and onboarding, after which you can transition to a hybrid model with up to two remote days per week

Who you are

You are a collaborative finance leader who brings strong financial oversight together with a practical, hands-on approach. You have experience managing core accounting and financial processes, including month-end and year-end close, budgeting, audits, reporting, internal controls, and compliance, and you understand the importance of accuracy and accountability in an organization managing multiple funding requirements. You are comfortable working closely with program managers and senior leaders, translating financial information into clear guidance and helping others make informed decisions.

You are also an experienced people leader who knows how to set expectations, develop and support a team, and keep work moving in a deadline-driven environment. You are adaptable, solutions-focused, and motivated by continuous improvement, whether that means strengthening a process, implementing a new system, or finding a more effective way for the Finance team to support the organization and its mission.

What's in it for you

Purpose beyond the numbers. Your work will support an organization dedicated to helping children, youth, and families thrive. By strengthening financial operations, stewardship, and decision-making, you will help ensure CDI can continue directing its resources toward the programs and services that make a meaningful difference in the community.

Influence and ownership. You will join a dynamic environment where there is room to improve how things are done. You will have the opportunity to strengthen financial processes, contribute to systems implementation and continuous improvement, and bring forward ideas that make the Finance function more effective. Rather than stepping into an environment where everything has already been figured out, you will have a voice in how the function continues to evolve.

Visibility and professional growth. This is a highly collaborative finance role with exposure beyond the Finance team. You will work closely with the Director, Finance, program managers, senior leadership, and other stakeholders, giving you insight into how financial decisions connect to programs and organizational priorities. You will deepen your nonprofit finance and leadership experience while building relationships and influence across the organization.

As our new Finance Manager, you will:

• Lead financial reporting and accounting. You will oversee general ledger accounting and month-end, quarterly, and year-end close processes, ensuring financial statements and reports are accurate, timely, and complete. You will maintain the integrity of financial information and ensure reporting requirements are consistently met.
• Own budgeting, planning, and financial analysis. You will lead budgeting and planning activities, monitor financial performance, and provide analysis that supports informed decision-making. Working closely with program managers and senior leadership, you will help translate financial information into practical insights that support organizational and program priorities.
• Manage audits, compliance, and controls. You will coordinate the annual audit and preparation of audited financial statements and oversee compliance with accounting standards, government requirements, funder obligations, and organizational policies. You will strengthen internal controls, financial policies, and processes to support effective stewardship and manage risk.
• Oversee treasury and financial operations. You will manage cash flow, reconciliations, banking relationships, investments, liquidity, tax remittances, and the corporate credit card program. You will ensure day-to-day financial operations are well managed while balancing multiple deadlines and reporting requirements.
• Lead and develop the team. You will provide direction, coaching, training, and performance management to accounting staff, ensuring workloads and priorities are effectively managed. You will foster collaboration, accountability, and continuous learning while helping the team navigate changing priorities and deadlines.
• Improve systems and processes. You will identify opportunities to strengthen financial workflows, controls, reporting, and ways of working. You will contribute to financial systems implementation and automation initiatives, working across teams to introduce practical improvements that increase efficiency, accuracy, and effectiveness.

You bring:

• The finance expertise. You have comprehensive experience overseeing financial operations, including month-end and year-end close, audit preparation and management, budgeting and planning, financial reporting, and internal controls. You understand Canadian accounting standards and the reporting and compliance requirements of a nonprofit organization with multiple government and other funding sources.
• The professional designation. You hold a CPA designation and bring the depth of financial knowledge needed to provide sound guidance, maintain strong financial controls, and support organizational decision-making.
• The leadership experience. You have experience leading and developing an accounting or finance team. You can set clear expectations, manage competing priorities and deadlines, coach and support team members, and create an environment of accountability, collaboration, and continuous learning.
• The technical skills. You have advanced Excel skills and experience working with financial and accounting systems. Experience with QuickBooks and Concur is valuable, as is experience supporting financial systems implementation, automation, or other process improvement initiatives.
• The analytical mindset. You can interpret complex financial information, identify trends and risks, and turn your analysis into clear, practical recommendations. You are comfortable supporting budgeting, variance analysis, financial performance monitoring, and decisions about how resources are allocated.
• The interpersonal skills. You can communicate financial information clearly to people with different levels of financial knowledge. You build trusted relationships with program managers, senior leaders, auditors, funders, government agencies, and other stakeholders, and you bring a collaborative and solutions-focused approach to working across the organization.
• The adaptability. You are comfortable working in an environment with concurrent deadlines, changing priorities, and multiple reporting requirements. You stay organized and composed under pressure, take initiative to solve problems, and look for opportunities to improve processes and how the Finance team works.

Other Requirements

• All applicants are advised that offers of employment are contingent upon the successful completion of a Vulnerable Sector Check.
• Credential verifications and references are required.

Compensation: At Child Development Institute (CDI), we believe that compensation should be transparent, fair, and supportive of your experience and growth. For this role, the salary is between $83,000 - $90,000. Salary is determined by the complexity of the position and internal equity, ensuring a fair and competitive salary within our sector.

We believe in transparency and open conversations about compensation. If you have any questions about our approach, we are happy to discuss them throughout the hiring process.

Join us.

Fostering positive transformations in mental health for over a century, CDI is a world-class leader trusted in helping children, youth and families through a wide range of evidence-informed services to build lasting change.

At CDI, we prioritize the mental well-being and work-life balance of our teams. We acknowledge the reality of the emotionally demanding work each of us puts in every day. To that end, we strive to create a collaborative, diverse, inclusive, and equitable space where creativity flourish by offering:

• Full health and well-being benefits.
• Flexible hours in a planned program environment.
• A focus on cross-disciplinary collaboration and knowledge sharing.
• Ongoing paid professional development opportunities and certifications.

If you want to be part of our vision to make a measurable lifelong impact on the mental health and well-being of children, youth and their families, join us.

Apply now

If you're excited about this role but your experience aligns differently with every requirement, we encourage you to apply. While specific qualifications are strictly required, others can be based on various experiences, backgrounds, and knowledge. We can't promise an interview, but we will consider your whole application.

What you can expect from our interview process:

• A virtual interview with a Talent Advisor to discuss your interest in joining CDI and in the role. The conversation will be recorded using BrightHire, an AI-powered video interview tool. More details will be shared when you are invited to interview.
• An in-person interview with the Director, Finance, the Chief Operating Officer and an HR Representative. You will discuss your experience leading financial operations and people, including audits, month-end close, budgeting and planning, as well as your approach to working collaboratively in a dynamic, mission-driven environment.

CDI is firmly committed to diversity within its community and welcomes applications from racialized persons/persons of colour, Indigenous People of North America and the world, persons with disabilities, 2SLGBTQIA+ persons, and those who may contribute to the further diversification of ideas. We are committed to providing equitable opportunities in employment and to providing a workplace which is free from discrimination and harassment. We are equally committed to providing an inclusive and accessible workplace. If you require accommodations, please reach out to us at [email protected].

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