Chief Financial Officer

The Community Foundation of Nova Scotia

The Community Foundation of Nova Scotia (CFNS) is a charitable giving facilitator. We help donors make sustainable philanthropic impact on causes they care about at the grassroots level. We endow funds for donors, manage donation programs, and convene conversations that make a positive difference in our communities. We do this through three funding streams: donor-advised funds, impact funds that target specific priorities, and community funds created and managed by communities. In 2024, CFNS granted over $4 million to communities across Nova Scotia, and we currently steward than $40 million in philanthropic assets.

Our ultimate vision is to build vibrant communities of respect, belonging and possibility across Nova Scotia that have the resources to care for their own needs.

The Opportunity

The Community Foundation of Nova Scotia is seeking a Chief Financial Officer to work closely with the CEO and a growing team of professionals to steward funds while ensuring the financial sustainability and integrity of the Foundation as it continues to grow. This role in fiduciary leadership will include responsibility for managing and evaluating the Foundation’s financial strategy, systems, and reporting in alignment with its mission and long-term goals.

After years of steady growth, CFNS has set an ambitious goal to significantly increase philanthropic impact in Nova Scotia. This qualified professional will play a critical role in shaping the future of the Community Foundation by ensuring strong financial leadership and operational sustainability. As we strive to enable greater impact in communities and charitable causes across the province, we will place emphasis on stewarding donor funds with transparency and integrity, building trust through robust financial reporting, and ensuring the Foundation’s readiness for future growth. The Chief Financial Officer will work as a partner and collaborator with the CEO in building and advancing the Foundation’s financial strategy for more than 170 donor-advised and donor-directed funds.

Key Objectives

· Provide strategic financial leadership

· Lead budgeting, forecasting, and audit processes

· Manage and oversee financial systems, controls and risk management

· Support operational effectiveness

Role Structure

· Permanent and Part Time staff member

· Reporting to the CEO

· 20 hours per week (with potential to increase in future years by mutual agreement)

· The role is based in our Halifax office, with some work-from-home flexibility

· This position currently has one direct report: Accounting Manager (with future potential to grow a small team)

Key Responsibilities

Financial Oversight & Reporting

Review bi-weekly payments for accuracy (payment details and coding) and completeness of documentation, first approval.
Perform cash management duties, including analyzing the weekly bank report from the Accounting Manager and funding cash flow deficits from investment accounts when required.
Provide backup for payroll, as required.
Review the month-end working papers, reconciliation from investment accounts and interfund accounting as prepared by the Accounting Manager, as well as segregation of duty check regarding donations.

· Based on above point, perform required transfers to satisfy fund balances.

Prepare Summary Financials as well as operational budget to actual report for CEO and Treasurer monthly.
Prepare forecast and cash flow reports for CEO, Treasurer and presentation to Finance & Audit Committee on quarterly basis.
Together with Accounting Manager, coordinate and complete annual audit.
Coordinate and complete annual budget.
Together with Accounting Manager and Treasurer, complete the CRA Charity Return and related documentation.
Review fundholder (client) accounts (fee schedules) and related calculations and entries, as prepared by the Accounting Manager.
Review annual and semi-annual fundholder (client) reports, as prepared by the Accounting Manager.
Facilitate the disbursement reserve and disbursable balances in agreement with the Disbursement Reserve and Capital Preservation Policy.
Assist Treasurer with Finance & Audit Committee tasks, including but not limited to Terms of Reference, Education, and Audit RFP.
Maintain banking relationships, including credit facility reporting and investment manager relationships.
Annual review of Insurance policy for the Foundation.
Ad-hoc analysis and support as required.
Coordination of employee benefits program with provider.

Leadership of Financial Management

· Collaborate as a strategic partner with the CEO as a member of the senior management team.

· Is comfortable working in a small team setting and managing staff (1 or more direct reports), including staff coaching and development.

· Meet with team members monthly to update budget.

Other Accounting & Reconciliation

Prepare and submit semi-annual HST filings.
Analyze interfund transfers, ensuring accuracy and completeness for inclusion in audit reports.

Policy & Process Improvement

Review accounting processes and procedures, provide recommendations for efficiencies, and prepare documentation for approval by the Finance & Audit Committee.
Participate and provide contributions to policies related to employee benefits, organizational liability, and cyber security as it relates to donations and other financial transactions.
Annually, review and update policies.

Governance & Compliance

Work with the Investment Committee to ensure Investment Policy and fee structure is adhered to in relation to the budget.
Ensure the Foundation is in compliance with CRA rules and regulations while staying current on issues related to charitable fund accounting.

Qualifications and Experience

· CPA designation or equivalent professional accounting designation

· 10 + years progressive experience in accounting or financial management, including experience as a CFO or near CFO position (e.g. VP Finance)

· Experience in budgeting, forecasting, strategic planning, risk management, accounting and internal controls

· Strong knowledge of fund accounting, Accounting Standards for Non-Profit Organizations, charitable compliance, charitable reporting, and restricted funding structures is considered an asset

· Outstanding attention to detail and exceptional organization skills

· Demonstrated ability to be innovative with cost and time efficiencies

· Willingness and ability to learn new skills and adapt to changing environments, including adopting technology and digital processes for improvements.

· Excellent communication skills, with the ability to present financial information clearly to non-financial audiences

· Exhibit a positive and collaborative attitude, fostering teamwork and cooperation

· Experience working with volunteers

· Given the nature of the Foundation, the idea candidate will have volunteered or worked with a Charity or Non-Profit Organizations

Benefits

· Life Insurance (TBD by mutual agreement)

· Health & Dental

· Critical Illness

· Paid Vacation

Salary Range

Based on 20 hours per week of Permanent Part time, the salary range will be $65,000-$80,000.

Start Date

Flexible start date: October 2025

The Community Foundation of Nova Scotia is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to a culture that promotes diversity, equity, and inclusion. CFNS hires based on merit and is committed to employment equity.

For more information on CFNS, visit www.cfns.ca.

To apply, please send a cover letter and resume to recruiting@cfns.ca

Application deadline: Thursday, September 4^th at 4pm

Community Foundation of Nova Scotia

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Chief Financial Officer