Financial Controller
Do work that matters. Grow with a positive, collaborative team. Water First is looking for creative, enthusiastic relationship-builders to support sustainable access to safe, clean water in partnership with Indigenous communities across Canada.
Water First is a registered charity grounded in trust-building, meaningful relationships, and lasting impact. Our engagement is guided by responsibility and accountability, with Indigenous voices, experiences, worldviews, and inherent rights centred across all our work.
To ensure Indigenous perspectives lead discussions about work with Indigenous communities, we integrate consultation with Indigenous staff, the Indigenous Advisory Council, community partners, and Indigenous members of our Board of Directors.
We respect and value Indigenous cultural traditions and practices in our workplaces, including the burning of medicines such as tobacco, sage, cedar, and sweetgrass. All employees are expected to maintain strong Indigenous historical and cultural awareness and commit to ongoing learning to support respectful, informed approaches throughout the organization.
Reporting to the Director of Finance, the Financial Controller is responsible for coordinating the day-to-day accounting operations of Water First and ensuring the accuracy and timeliness of the organization's financial records. The Controller oversees the financial accounting cycle, including general accounting, payroll accounting, grant accounting, accounts payable, accounts receivable, month-end close, compilation of the annual budgets, regulatory compliance, and audit requirements and schedules.
Working closely with the Director of Finance, the Controller provides operational leadership to the Finance team, supports the smooth running of key accounting systems like QuickBooks, Expense Point and ADP, coordinates the budget compilation process, and ensures that accounting activities are completed efficiently and in accordance with applicable organizational policies and funding agreements.
Start Date: October 5th, 2026
Work Location: Remote / Hybrid: 3 days in office, 10 Francis St, Creemore ON, L0M 1G0
Job Type: Permanent full-time, 37.5 hours per week
Salary range: $90,000 to $120,000
Water First supports progressive labour policies, including:
- Defined benefit pension plan
- Dental care
- Disability insurance
- Employee assistance program
- Extended health care
- Life insurance
- Generous paid vacation
Responsibilities for this position include, but are not limited to:
Financial Accounting & Month-End Close
- Coordinate the month-end and year-end close process, ensuring all accounting activities are completed accurately and on schedule.
- Review journal entries, accruals, reconciliations and supporting schedules prepared by the Finance team.
- Ensure the completeness and integrity of the General Ledger and supporting financial records.
Grant & Project Accounting
- Ensure expenditures are recorded in accordance with instructions from programs, fundraising and grant agreements.
- Review project coding and allocations across programs, grants, program expenses and departments.
- Coordinate grant reconciliations and project financial reporting.
Payroll Accounting & Compensation
- Oversee payroll accounting, reconciliations, allocations, and related financial controls.
- Ensure the accurate accounting and timely remittance of payroll taxes, statutory deductions, pension contributions, and other payroll-related obligations.
- Work collaboratively with Human Resources to ensure the accurate accounting of salaries, benefits, ROE issuance, etc.
- Model commitment to the ongoing learning of Indigenous histories and ways of being to support informed and respectful work approaches. (For Management / Director Role)
Compliance & Regulatory Reporting
- Coordinate the preparation of statutory returns (HST, EHT, others), remittances, and regulatory filings for review and approval by the Director of Finance.
- Coordinate the annual external audit, including the preparation of audit working papers and supporting documentation.
- Prepare the first draft of the annual T3010 Charity Information Return and other required regulatory filings.
Raise organizational awareness
- Contribute to initiatives that raise awareness about our work, and/or engage donors, to build greater support for the organization, in coordination with Communications and Fundraising.
The ideal candidate for this position will possess the following:
Qualifications:
- Degree or diploma in business, finance, accounting, or a related field
- Must have one active CPA, CMA, or CA designation
- Three years of experience in the financial industry
- Experience and knowledge of Charity Law and Financial Requirements
- Knowledge of accepted accounting rules, practices, tax laws, and reporting requirements
- Advanced knowledge of accounting systems, budgets, and internal controls
Skills:
- Strong knowledge of Financial, Mgmt, Cost, Fund and Tax Accounting
- Strong organizational and leadership skills
- Proficient in using technology as a management reporting tool and experience working with information technology staff to develop and implement program evaluation systems
- Solid experience in Microsoft Office and Google Suite applications
- Attention to detail
- Problem-solving
Please Note:
- Water First’s standard operating hours are Monday to Friday, 8:30 am-4:30 pm Eastern Time, with reasonable accommodations for flex-time.
- All applicants must be legally authorized to work in Canada and possess a valid Social Security Number (SIN).
- Candidates will be required to undergo a Vulnerable Sector security check as a condition of employment.
Excited to learn more about this opportunity? We’d love to hear from you. Water First is committed to a diverse and inclusive workforce and strongly encourages Indigenous applicants. We are dedicated to a fair, equitable, and barrier-free hiring process in accordance with AODA and will provide accommodations upon request.
While we appreciate the interest of all candidates, only those candidates selected for an interview will be contacted.
Interested candidates should please forward their cover letters and resumes to by September 15, 2026
Pay: $90,000.00-$120,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- Casual dress
- Company pension
- Dental care
- Disability insurance
- Employee assistance program
- Extended health care
- Flexible schedule
- Life insurance
- On-site parking
- Paid time off
- Tuition reimbursement
- Vision care
- Work from home
Work Location: Hybrid remote in Creemore, ON
