Director of Finance

at  Making Waves Swim School

Our story began in the summer of 1994 when our founder taught 50 kids to swim in his parents’ backyard pool where Making Waves Swim School was born! It wasn’t a sophisticated business however, it gave us the freedom to focus on what mattered most – our student’s progress in the pool, connecting with families and giving back to our community.
Now, over twenty-nine years later, we have five locations in Brampton, Milton, Mississauga, Vaughan and Guelph and teach over 8,000 students per week in learn-to-swim programs. Our award-winning water safety programs have produced thousands of confident swimmers, while staying true to the care, enthusiasm and passion put into that first summer.
Our Canadian roots also means the more diversity we have in our team, the more unique perspectives and fun ideas we share. It fuels our passion and connects us closer to our families and the communities we serve. We cheer for diversity in age, gender identity, race, sexual orientation, physical or mental ability, ethnicity, and perspective. And, we’ll do whatever it takes to create an environment where everyone can do their best work and be their best selves.

REQUIREMENTS & SKILLS:

• Canadian CPA Designation
• 5+ years of related Canadian accounting and corporate tax experience
• 5+ years of team management experience
• Proven track record of successful finance leadership in a fast-paced start-up or high-growth environment
• Experience in designing and implementing financial strategies, forecasting, budgeting, and planning
• Strong business acumen and leadership skills with a dedication to driving and achieving results
• Skilled at translating financial insights into actionable recommendations to inform strategic decision-making
• Experience with Google Suites
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills to effectively analyze, deliver, and present financial information to wide-ranging audience with ease
• Must be willing to travel to facilities and be available at extended hours to support business operations needs as required

In this exciting new opportunity as Director of Finance, you will be responsible for shaping the financial future of the organization by providing strategic financial leadership, managing risks, optimizing financial resources, and ensuring compliance. You will play a critical role in driving the organization’s long-term financial sustainability and success.

The Director of Finance works closely with the executive leadership team, managers and staff throughout the company. The Director of Finance oversees all financial activities and is responsible for all financial reporting, leading a small team and overseeing accounting policies, systems and procedures in order to ensure accurate and timely financial reporting.. The Director of Finance must demonstrate strong leadership and listening skills, have a collaborative spirit and be highly proficient with oral and written communication. The Director of Finance has a commitment to goal-setting and excellence in every task and project they take on, no matter how big or small.

• Lead and manage a team responsible for financial reporting, including supervision of month and year-end close processes, and financial management
• Develop and implement streamlined procedures for month and year-end close to enhance efficiency, accuracy, and compliance
• Prepare and meticulously review financial statements, ensuring their accuracy and alignment with generally accepted accounting principles (ASPE) and regulatory requirements
• Lead the annual audit process alongside external auditors, supplying the necessary documentation and addressing any inquiries
• Manage and enhance internal controls and strategies aimed at preventing financial misstatements, mitigating unnecessary risks, and minimizing the risk of fraud
• Provide leadership and guidance in the development of financial reporting systems and tools to support informed decision-making by senior management
• Conduct in-depth analyses of financial data, identifying trends, and presenting findings to the leadership team, offering insights that drive strategic business decisions
• Lead financial analysis efforts for any new product initiatives, including cost assessments, revenue forecasts, and assessing overall lifetime profitability
• Identify areas to maximize IT efficiencies, including review of available efficiency options for QB, QBO, Payroll, etc.
• Participate in strategic planning discussions, leveraging financial expertise to support the company’s growth initiatives
• Mentor and nurture finance team members, fostering a culture of continuous improvement, teamwork, and high-performance
• Own the primary relationship with external service providers and oversee other accounting department functions, including but not limited to payroll, AR, AP, and insurance