Pacheedaht First Nation - or “People of the Seafoam”- are a Nuu-chah-nulth people from the southwest coast of Vancouver Island.
Career Opportunity
Senior Accountant
Full-time, Ongoing (Hybrid)
Who we are
We are the Pacheedaht First Nation - a resilient, thriving community rooted in our sacred lands and waters. Our home brings peace, safety, and belonging, connecting us to one another and to our ancestors.
Guided by our teachings, we steward our territory and exercise our rights, title, and jurisdiction with care, protecting the wildlife, clean air, waters, and forests that sustain current and future generations. Pacheedaht First Nation is a proud, progressive government focused on the health, safety, and self-reliance of our people while preserving our culture, values, and language. We hold four reserves (174 hectares) within our traditional territory in Port Renfrew, about 80 km from Victoria, with an estimated 286 members, including roughly 100 living on-reserve.
About the role
Reporting to the Controller, the Senior Accountant serves as the cornerstone of PFN’s finance department. This position brings together advanced accounting expertise and payroll administration, overseeing full-cycle accounting, payroll processing, month-end and year-end close, and financial reporting. A key objective of the role is to implement and leverage cloud-based payroll and AP automation systems to drive operational efficiencies and enhance the effectiveness of financial functions.
What you will do
As the Senior Accountant, you will contribute to the Nation’s work through the following areas of responsibility:
Full-cycle accounting
- Perform full-cycle accounting including journal entries, accruals, adjustments, and reclassifications.
- Lead month-end and year-end close processes, preparing working papers and draft financial statements for Controller review.
- Prepare financial reports, variance analyses, and budget-to-actual comparisons for the Controller and program managers.
- Prepare audit schedules, reconciliations, and supporting documentation; liaise with external auditors as directed by the Controller.
Payroll
- Oversee the processing of bi-weekly payroll, ensuring accuracy and timeliness for earnings, deductions, benefits, pension contributions, and statutory remittances.
- Monitor compliance with the Canada Labour Code (or BC Employment Standards Act as applicable), CRA, CPP, EI, and all relevant payroll legislation.
- Supervise the generation and distribution of year-end tax forms (T4s, T4As) and other mandatory payroll documentation.
- Review payroll account reconciliations, address discrepancies, and ensure proper maintenance of payroll records.
- Oversee administration of payroll-related benefits enrolment, pension, and leave tracking.
Reconciliation and compliance
- Perform bank reconciliations, intercompany reconciliations, and GL account reconciliations across all PFN entities.
- Review and approve work completed by AR and AP staff, ensuring accuracy and proper coding.
- Maintain documentation to support WCB filings, sales tax compliance, and other regulatory obligations.
Process Improvement
- Identify opportunities to streamline and automate accounting and payroll processes.
- Support the implementation and maintenance of automation tools, cloud platforms, and reconciliation software when chosen.
- Develop and maintain SOPs for all recurring accounting and payroll processes.
- Provide mentorship and technical guidance to the AR, AP and Payroll staff.
- Other tasks as assigned.
Behaviours and Competencies for Success
- Demonstrates integrity, accountability, and respect in all interactions, fostering trust within the team and organization.
- Adaptable and resilient in navigating change, showing a commitment to continuous improvement and learning.
- Proactive in identifying challenges and opportunities, taking initiative to support both colleagues and organizational goals.
- Culturally aware, values diversity, and actively promotes inclusion, ensuring a welcoming environment for all staff and community members.
- Displays strong ethical judgement and confidentiality, especially when handling sensitive financial and payroll information.
- Collaborates effectively, communicates clearly, and listens openly to diverse perspectives, contributing to a positive workplace culture.
- Maintains a solutions-focused mindset, demonstrating persistence and resourcefulness in reaching objectives.
Lived and learned experience we are seeking
To be the successful candidate for this position, you will have/demonstrate:
- Education or equivalent: Diploma or degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field.
- Payroll Compliance Practitioner (PCP) designation or equivalent payroll experience.
- CPA enrollment or designation preferred.
- Skills grounded in lived experience: 5+ years of progressive accounting experience, including full-cycle accounting and payroll processing.
- Self-directed and able to work independently with minimal supervision.
- Experience in public sector, not-for-profit, or Indigenous government environments preferred.
- Technical capacity: Proficiency with accounting software and cloud-based payroll systems. Experience with Xyntax accounting software is considered an asset.
- Strong Excel skills and comfort with digital tools, automation platforms, and remote collaboration.
- People & relationships: Excellent communication, relationship-building, and collaboration skills; skilled in problem solving and conflict resolution.
- Team supervision: Experience supervising and mentoring staff, with strengths in planning, organizing, and time management.
- Indigenous experience: Indigenous lived experience and/or significant experience working with Indigenous communities is strongly valued.
- Certifications & Checks: Must be bondable and able to provide a clear criminal record check if required.
What we offer
- The opportunity to driving meaningful impact and shaping community-focused initiatives at a strategic level.
- Salary range of $78,000 to $95,000 per year based on a 35-hour work week.
- Every second Friday off, and hybrid work arrangements where operationally feasible.
- Additional paid time off over the festive season, plus generous sick and personal leave.
- An extended benefits plan and an employer-matched pension plan.
Persons of Indigenous ancestry will be given preference per s16(1) CHRA.
