Senior Financial Officer – 14 Month Contract

CIFAR

Senior Financial Officer responsible for financial reporting and compliance at CIFAR. Handling researcher compensation, audits, and collaborating across departments for accurate financial information.

Posted 7/30/2026contractToronto • 🇨🇦 CanadaSenior💰 CA$75,293 - CA$88,580 per yearWebsite

Core Competencies

Role fit

Core Competencies

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Demonstrates expertise in financial reporting, account reconciliations, and compliance within the nonprofit and charitable sectors, while ensuring accuracy and timeliness in financial data management. Proficient in utilizing accounting software and advanced spreadsheet skills to enhance financial processes and stakeholder service.

Highest-signal resume keywords

Financial ReportingAccount ReconciliationsAdvanced Excel SkillsCPA DesignationNonprofit Sector Experience

ATS Keywords

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Applicant Tracking System Keywords

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Hard Skills

Financial AnalysisBudget-to-Actual Variance AnalysisAccounting PrinciplesFull-Cycle AccountingFinancial Data Integrity

Soft Skills

Analytical SkillsOrganizational SkillsCommunication SkillsAttention to Detail

Tools & Technologies

QuickBooksGoogle Sheets

Certifications & Qualifications

CPA Designation

Industry Keywords

Nonprofit SectorCharitable FilingsGovernment ReportingDonor-Funded ProgramsAudit Support

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

Prepare monthly financial statements, reconciliations, and supporting analyses to ensure accurate and timely reporting.
Analyze financial results, including budget-to-actual variances, and support donor and management reporting.
Contribute to quarterly and year-end financial reporting that informs organizational decision-making.
Lead researcher compensation and other key financial processes, ensuring accuracy, timeliness, and excellent stakeholder service.
Support the annual audit, charitable filings, government reporting, and other compliance requirements.
Maintain the integrity of financial data through reconciliations and ongoing monitoring of financial activity.
Identify opportunities to strengthen financial systems, processes, and internal controls.
Lead or support initiatives that improve efficiency, accuracy, and scalability within the Finance function.
Collaborate with colleagues across CIFAR and external partners to support organizational priorities and reporting requirements.

Requirements

What you’ll need

A degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, or a related field.
At least five years of progressive full-cycle accounting experience.
Strong knowledge of financial reporting, account reconciliations, and accounting principles.
Experience with accounting software such as QuickBooks and advanced Excel and/or Google Sheets skills.
Excellent analytical, organizational, and communication skills, with a high level of accuracy and attention to detail.
Assets: CPA designation (or progress toward completion).
Experience in the nonprofit, charitable, research, higher education, or publicly funded sector.
Experience supporting audits, government reporting, and donor-funded programs.

Benefits

Comp & perks

Comprehensive wellness - mental health supports, 4 weeks’ vacation, and “CIFAR Days” (days off with pay) throughout the year.
Opportunities for learning and growth - supported by professional development resources.
An inclusive, collaborative culture - grounded in our values, the “4Cs” (Collaboration, Curiosity, Courage and Clarity), where diverse perspectives are valued, and ideas are encouraged.
Work Flexibility - We encourage a hybrid working model that includes work-from-home arrangements with a minimum of 3 days in the office and Focus Fridays (meeting-free Fridays every week).