Accounting & Finance | Accounting and Financial Officer, Intermediate Level - FT

Position Summary

The Accounting and Financial Offer position will support Mercy Ships Canada’s service deliver in all aspects of the accounting cycle ensuring that the accountabilities are performed in an accurate and timely manner. The scope of the role includes collaborating on accounting and business systems upgrades, audit and registered charity information return reporting, bank monitoring and reconciliation, income statement and balance sheet financial records maintenance, management financial reporting and payroll administration.

You will work closely with Mercy Ships Canada staff and Mercy Ships colleagues in the other offices. The position requires high-level cross-channel communication between various departments in the International Support Centre. This position reports to the Director, Business Operations & Risk.

About Mercy Ships

Mercy Ships Canada is a registered Canadian charity and governed by a Board of Directors who are volunteers.  We are part of leading NGO called Mercy Ships International that  provides free surgeries and medical education, training and advocacy in Africa using hospital ships. Each year more than 1,500 volunteers from around the world join Mercy Ships to donate their time and skills. Mercy Ships follows the model of Jesus and seeks to love and serve those in need, be people of integrity, and be people of excellence in all that we say and do. 

Mercy Ships Canada supports surgical and medical training projects that align with the global organization’s core values and goals. We also support our Canadian volunteers who donate their time and talents to the organization’s international work.

Accountabilities

Accounting Systems & Business System Upgrade

• Collaborate with senior leadership on the transition to and implementation of a cloud-based accounting system that allows for the integration of other business processes.

Audit and Registered Charity Information Return Reporting

• Assist senior leadership with accounting tasks associated with audits, ensuring that all audit requests are completed for the interim and annual audits accurately and in a timely manner.
• Prepare, maintain and coordinate records required for Canada Revenue Agency compliance, including the Registered Charity Information Return (T3010).
• Collaborate in implementing audit findings and recommendations.

Bank Monitoring and Reconciliation

• Monitor bank accounts, bank account balances, verify types of deposits including from foundations are processed. Advise the team if any donor cheques have been declined.
• Monitor liquidity of operating including cashflow and GICs and ensure funds are available for upcoming expense payments to vendors and monthly electronic payment to either Mercy Ships International (MSI) or the Mercy Ships Global Association (MSGA) are available.
• Prepare the bank deposit to CIBC as needed.
• Prepare monthly bank reconciliations and ensure transactions are posted correctly in the general ledger.

Income Statement and Balance Sheet Financial Records Maintenance

• Ensure financial transactions are completed accurately on time.
• Plan and manage the posting of all activities and transactions to the general ledger.
• Ensure all financial commitments and transactions are aligned with MSCA’s internal controls policy and procedures and make recommendations when any system needs to be updated.
• Maintain up to date knowledge of current charitable sector Canadian accounting and implement best practices and relevant legislation.

Management Financial Reporting (MSCA Staff, Board and Mercy Ships International and Mercy Ships Global Association)

• Provide support for the preparation of the annual budget and updates to the cash flow forecast.
• Monitor the budget and work proactively with colleagues to address cash flow considerations and the timing of budgeted expenses.
• Monitor progress on financial objectives, review the timing of scheduled expenditures, analyze variables, provide explanations and suggest corrective actions when there is a significant variance in relation to MSCA’s internal controls.
• Monitor accounts payables and receivables and reconcile the general ledger and prepare variance reports and explanations.
• Prepare monthly and ad hoc financial reports, including income statements, balance sheet, and cash flow statements, for management and committee meetings.
• Support the Finance and Compliance Committee of the Board of Directors with regular financial reports and data analysis.
• Ensure statutory remittances are made and reported.
• Ensure effective and productive relationships with Mercy Ships International (MSI) staff are established and the timely and accurate reporting of MSCA’s financials and seconded costs is posted.
• Prepare documents and wire spreadsheet for reconciling MSI and MSGA invoices for monthly payments.
• Collaborate with staff and MSI to reconcile joint programs project expenses.

Payroll Admin

• Maintain the payroll management system, ensuring that employees are paid, processing and submitting statutory and benefits remittances on a timely basis as well as preparing RSP matching cheques.
• Manage the tracking of vacation and all types of leave following Mercy Ships Canada policies and Employment Standards.
• Maintain employee personnel files and staff attendance records.
• Help prepare required payroll paperwork during hiring or termination of employees as well as T4s and ROEs.
• Prepare and submit required filings for WSIB, WCB and CNESST.
• Ensure business payroll obligations are met and all transactions are completed on time and accurately.