Finance Manager

About Us

Western Community College is a privately held provider of post-secondary education in British Columbia, offering a Bachelor of Hospitality Management degree program and more than 65 career training diploma and certificate programs in the fields of business, accounting, healthcare, education, hospitality, information technology, legal studies, and warehousing, using industry-based market-driven curriculums. We provide a dynamic, collaborative, and engaging learning environment to our students with a very high standard of community-driven post-secondary education.

Western Community College invites applications from eligible and experienced candidates for the position of Finance Manager.

Title: Finance Manager

The Finance Manager will oversee the college's financial operations and lead the finance team, ensuring accuracy, efficiency, and compliance with financial regulations. In this role, the Finance Manager will manage the preparation of financial statements, lead accounts payable and receivable processes, conduct reconciliations, support audits, and guide key financial activities such as payment collections, student aid processing, and financial tracking.

This position is critical to maintaining the financial health of the institution. The Finance Manager will collaborate with leadership and cross-functional departments to provide financial analysis, strategic insights, and process improvements.

Responsibilities:

• Oversee the integrity of financial operations, including accounts payable, accounts receivable, and general ledger reconciliations, ensuring compliance with accounting standards and institutional policies.
• Lead the execution of critical financial processes, including student payment collections, payment plan management, and timely reconciliation of transactions.
• Manage StudentAid BC submissions (e.g., confirmation of enrollment, PED, App 3) and oversee related student funding processes to ensure timely and accurate reporting.
• Oversee third-party billing and collections, ensuring accurate invoicing and timely receipt of funds. 
• Supervise commission calculations, issuance of refund cheques, and preparation of student tax forms (e.g., T2202A), ensuring accuracy and compliance with regulatory requirements.
• Maintain financial system integration and data accuracy between MyWCC and QuickBooks, ensuring timely reporting and tracking of institutional financial data.
• Manage vendor and supplier records, lead purchase order and invoice processing, and ensure timely execution of accounts payable tasks.
• Coordinate the preparation of monthly, quarterly, and annual financial statements, budgets, and internal/external financial reports to support strategic planning.
• Design, implement, and monitor internal financial controls, processes, and compliance practices to uphold integrity and mitigate risk.
• Monitor institutional cash flow, conduct regular bank reconciliations, and ensure financial liquidity and operational continuity.
• Conduct comprehensive financial analyses, including budget variance reviews and trend identification, and provide actionable insights to leadership for strategic decision-making.
• Support both internal and external audits by preparing required documentation, addressing auditor inquiries, and implementing corrective actions as needed.

Qualifications & Skills:

• Bachelor's degree in accounting, Finance, or a related field.
• CPA designation required. 
• 2-3 years of accounting experience, preferably within an educational institution or similar setting, including at least 1 year in a managerial role.
• Strong knowledge of accounting principles, financial reporting, and tax regulations.
• Proficiency in accounting software (e.g., QuickBooks, Sage) and MS Excel.
• Strong leadership skills. 
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and organizational skills.
• High attention to detail and accuracy.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team in a fast-paced environment.