Director of Finance

The College of Registered Nurses of Alberta (CRNA) is a regulatory college under the Health Professions Act (HPA). Our vision is excellence in nursing regulation for the health of all Albertans. Our objective is people-first, and we are committed to attracting the best people, engaging and developing a workforce that embodies our values of integrity, respect, accountability and professionalism. The CRNA is committed to meeting and exceeding its legislative responsibilities by using a Right-touch relational regulatory approach.

Director of Finance

The CRNA values its people and is committed to fostering a culture of trust, fairness, collaboration and continuous improvement. Guided by our values, we aim to deliver impactful and transparent financial leadership to support the organization’s strategic objectives.

Reporting to the Senior Financial Officer & Executive Director, People, Planning, & Performance Measurement (SFO/ED), the Director of Finance will lead a team of finance professionals and work hands-on to advance the CRNA’s financial strategies and goals. This role is integral to ensuring effective financial operations, promoting a culture of transparency and accountability, and delivering financial insights that empower informed decision-making.

The Director of Finance will embrace the CRNA’s collaborative and progressive culture while overseeing key financial functions, including accounting, financial planning, analysis and reporting. By fostering efficient processes and aligning financial activities with organizational priorities, this role will support the achievement of the CRNA’s strategic objectives.

The ideal candidate will bring a blend of technical expertise, leadership capabilities and a collaborative approach with experience in regulatory or not-for-profit environments. They will play a pivotal role in advancing the CRNA’s financial excellence while building and mentoring a high-performing team.

Primary Responsibilities

Strategic Financial Leadership

• Support and implement the organization's financial strategy to align with its business plan and goals.
• Assist in the execution of initiatives aimed at improving financial performance and operational efficiency and effectiveness, supporting the SFO/ED’s strategic direction.

Financial Planning and Analysis

• Provide insights for strategic financial planning and decision-support.
• Collaborate with senior and operational leadership to evaluate and enhance financial performance.
• Lead the execution of financial planning and forecasting, ensuring alignment with the CRNA’s business plan:
  • Oversee the budgeting process to ensure alignment with organizational objectives and the CRNA’s financial health.
  • Prepare annual budgets and monitor progress to align with organizational priorities.
  • Conduct variance analysis, financial forecasting and risk assessment.
• Conduct financial analysis to identify trends, assess performance and highlight areas for improvement.
• Prepare financial management & discussion reports and briefing documents for Senior Leadership and Finance & Audit Committee.
• Collaborate with the SFO/ED to monitor financial KPIs and identify risks and opportunities to achieve or exceed targets.

Accounting and Compliance

• Ensure compliance with financial regulations and not-for-profit accounting standards.
• Oversee daily financial operations, including general ledger, accounts payable, and accounts receivable functions, accounting for capital and intangible assets, and accounting for a defined benefit pension fund to ensure accuracy, completeness and compliance.
• Maintain an effective financial control environment through financial policies and the CRNA’s financial accounting system (Sage Intacct).
• Manage treasury functions including cash flow monitoring, cash management practices and oversight of investments to optimize organizational financial health.
• Drive functional process-mapping and improvement for efficient financial workflows.
• Lead the coordination of annual audits, including pension fund audits, and liaise with external auditors.
• Support audit preparation by coordinating the completion of draft financial statements and supporting documentation.

Controls and Risk Management

• Maintain and enforce financial policies, procedures and guidelines, including delegation of signing authority, to ensure compliance and effective financial controls and operations.
• Monitor and maintain internal controls to safeguard assets and ensure compliance with legislation, regulations and the CRNA's policies.
• Identify financial risks and develop mitigation strategies.
• Monitor the CRNA’s investment portfolios and collaborate with the Planning, Risk and Procurement team on insurance policies.

Team Leadership

• Lead a high-performing, collaborative finance team to deliver value-added processes and business advisory services.
• Promote professional development and succession planning within the team.
• Champion process improvements to enhance efficiency and accuracy in financial workflows.

Internal and External Communication

• Prepare and deliver monthly and quarterly financial reports and financial communications to support decision-making and achieve organizational objectives.
• Act as a strategic partner to business units, providing financial guidance to drive informed decisions.
• Communicate financial results and strategies to interested parties.
• Support the organization in financial discussions with external partners.

Qualifications and Experience

Education and Professional Designation

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Business Administration or Finance.
• Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA) designation (required).

Professional Experience

• 10+ years of experience in financial management with demonstrated success in leading finance operations, accounting and analytics.
• 5+ years of experience leading a team of financial professionals with a collaborative and mentorship-oriented approach.
• Strong understanding of not-for-profit environments, with experience in regulatory environments considered an asset.
• Strong knowledge of accounting standards, regulatory compliance, financial reporting and analytical models, including for a single-employer pension fund.
• Proven ability to analyze financial data, identify trends and provide actionable insights to support decision-making.
• Experience in developing and maintaining financial policies and control environments to ensure compliance and integrity.
• Demonstrated ability to prepare and deliver financial communications, including management reports and decision documents tailored to diverse groups (e.g., Senior Leadership, Finance & Audit Committee).
• Familiarity with ERP systems, with experience in Sage Intacct an asset.
• High proficiency in MS365 applications, virtual meeting platforms, and intermediate to advanced Excel and PowerPoint skills.

Key Competencies

• Strategic thinking: Aligns financial operations with organizational goals.
• Leadership: Inspires and mentors team to achieve high performance.
• Analytical skills: Delivers actionable insights through financial data interpretation.
• Communication: Clearly conveys financial strategies to diverse groups.
• Attention to detail: Ensures accuracy and compliance in all financial reporting.
• Adaptability: Responds effectively to dynamic challenges with innovative solutions.

What We Offer

• An ongoing full-time employment opportunity.
• Competitive salary with a comprehensive health and dental benefits package, including resources to support mental health and financial wellness.
• Annual Health Spending Account (HSA) and Wellness Spending Account (WSA) to support ongoing learning, health, wellness and family services.
• Defined benefit pension plan.
• Flexible, hybrid work environment with a 7.25-hour workday, Monday through Friday.
• 12 general holidays, plus an annual holiday break in December.
• Earned vacation days, starting at a rate equivalent to 20 days per year.