Manager, Accounting Operations

Reporting to the Senior Vice President, Corporate Services & CFO, the Manager of  Accounting Operations manages operational activities of the accounting operation . This position is responsible for ensuring the implementation of standardized and sound accounting  practices and ensuring accountability and effective management of the College’s financial resources.
The Manager is responsible for developing, implementing and maintaining the College’s  accounting  processes, in collaboration with the Senior Vice President, Corporate Services & CFO.  The Manager is also responsible for financial analysis and reporting that provides Management with accurate and relevant information for decision making and meets internal and external reporting requirements. 
In addition, the incumbent has ownership of the budgeting software and management reporting including the analysis and recommendation of new systems/reports and upgrades.  The incumbent provides support, guidance, training and solutions for reporting and budgeting systems.
The Manager Accounting Operations will foster a productive and efficient work environment through mentorship and teamwork and take a lead role in developing and implementing innovative and practical approaches to departmental and corporate initiatives.
This position has a supplementary responsibility as the privacy coordinator for the college, reporting to the CFO (Privacy Officer).

Accounting Operations

• Manage daily accounting functions including accounts payable, accounts receivable, and financial reporting.
• Develop and implement accounting policies, procedures, and internal controls to ensure compliance.
• Lead, mentor, and develop the accounting team to enhance performance and efficiency.
• Prepare for audits and ensure accuracy in financial reporting.
• Analyze financial data and provide insights and recommendations to senior leadership.
• Serve as System Administrator and Subject Matter Expert for budgeting software; support users across financial systems (e.g., MultiView).
• Allocate team resources to support budget development, midyear projections, and ongoing financial monitoring.

• Develop tools and analyses to support evidence-based decision-making and variance reporting.
• Identify financial anomalies and recommend corrective actions; monitor operating and capital expenditures.
• Prepare forecasts and analyses to support short-, medium-, and long-term planning.
• Analyze financial performance (budget vs. actuals, capital spending, cash flow) and present insights to senior stakeholders.
• Ensure compliance with Ministry directives and lead submission of required reports (e.g., Annual Budget, Annual Report).
• Prepare and submit financial reports to external stakeholders (e.g., Ministries, Colleges Ontario, Statistics Canada).
• Interpret Ministry policies and provide guidance on compliance and financial management.
• Oversee proper treatment and reporting of revenues and expenditures, particularly for year-end audit.

• Provide leadership and supervision by setting priorities and managing team performance.
• Support senior leadership and act on behalf of the Director as required.
• Collaborate with stakeholders to align financial aspects of major projects and initiatives.
• Proactively identify and resolve operational and financial issues within the department.
• Act as a key contact for financial verification processes, including hiring requests and unbudgeted initiatives.
• Recruit, train, evaluate, and develop accounting staff to maintain high performance.

• Coordinate compliance with FIPPA and related privacy legislation.
• Manage access-to-information requests within legislated timelines.
• Lead response to privacy incidents and breaches, including investigation and documentation.
• Provide guidance on data handling, disclosure, and retention practices.
• Support development and implementation of privacy policies and procedures.
• Review contracts and data-sharing agreements for privacy compliance.
• Deliver privacy training and awareness programs for staff.
• Monitor legislative changes and emerging privacy risks.

• Prepare reports and briefings for senior leadership on compliance matters.

• Completion of a Post Secondary Diploma in such disciplines as Business, Commerce, Accounting, Finance, or an equivalent combination of education and experience is required at point of hire
• 5 years’ experience overseeing details of financial planning (including annual budgets) for a public sector entity
• Certification (or working towards the completion) in privacy management (CIPP/C, PACC, or equivalent) is required 
• Professional Accounting Designation (CA, CGA, CMA) would be an asset 
• Familiarity with Accounting standards for Broader Public Sector bodies
• Exceptional analytical skills 
• Advanced expertise, knowledge and conversancy in the use of integrated financial systems
• Expert with spreadsheets, advanced excel functions, and other analytical and reporting tools
• Advanced knowledge and understanding of financial reporting processes in a public-sector context
• Demonstrated ability to work successfully with people at all organizational levels, and with diverse and sometimes conflicting interests and philosophies 
• Demonstrated competence with complex financial and statistical modelling and highly-developed analytical skills
• Demonstrated experience with managing a team of full-time and part-time direct reports in a unionized environment
• Highly effective communicator in written communications as well as presenting skills 
• Ability to explain accounting procedures & financial concepts with non-financial personnel (Deans, Directors, Chairs) across the diverse College community.
• Demonstrated expertise in interpreting and applying the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (FIPPA) and the Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act (PIPEDA) within a post-secondary education environment. Applies legislation to manage complex freedom of information requests and respond to personal information breaches involving students, faculty, and staff. Ensures compliance with legislative and institutional requirements, mitigates privacy risks, protects sensitive academic and personal data, and supports transparency and accountability through accurate, timely, and defensible decision-making.