Pacheedaht First Nation - or “People of the Seafoam”- are a Nuu-chah-nulth people from the southwest coast of Vancouver Island.
Career Opportunity
Controller
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 Band Manager, the Controller serves as PFN’s senior finance leader, providing strategic financial oversight and acting as the primary financial advisor to Chief and Council. This role is responsible for ensuring compliance with PSAS, ISC, FNHA, and CMHC reporting requirements, managing the annual external audit, leading the finance team across both remote and on-site locations, and overseeing ongoing automation and continuous improvement initiatives.
PFN is seeking a Controller who combines a hands-on approach with strategic vision, capable of implementing and following through on projects, evaluations, and feasibility studies. You will be directly involved in synthesizing complex information, informing reinvestment strategies, and engaging in practical tasks such as compliance, audits, and process improvements. The Controller is tasked with ensuring the finance department operates independently and sustainably, while delivering timely and actionable information to support PFN’s leadership and staff, ultimately helping to maintain sound and sustainable financial operations.
What you will do
In this role, you will contribute through practical work, strategic thinking, and the ability to see the bigger picture. Key responsibilities include:
Governance, leadership, and advisory
- Serve as the senior financial advisor to Chief and Council, presenting monthly, quarterly, and annual financial reports in a manner that is clear, transparent, and decision-focused.
- Support Council in fulfilling fiduciary responsibilities by maintaining strong financial governance, policies, and internal controls.
- Attend Council meetings and provide financial analysis, recommendations, and risk assessments as needed.
Financial planning and reporting
- Lead the annual budgeting process across all PFN entities and programs.
- Develop multi-year financial forecasts aligned with the Nation's strategic, operational, and capital plans.
- Prepare consolidated and entity-level financial statements in accordance with PSAS.
- Oversee the annual external audit and act as the primary liaison with auditors.
Compliance and funding oversight
- Ensure compliance with all funding agreements (ISC, FNHA, CMHC, provincial ministries, grants) and reporting deadlines.
- Provide oversight of the Funding Manager's work, ensuring proposals and reports meet funder requirements and align with PFN's financial position.
Treasury and risk management
- Ensure compliance with all funding agreements (ISC, FNHA, CMHC, provincial ministries, grants) and reporting deadlines.
- Provide oversight of the Funding Manager's work, ensuring proposals and reports meet funder requirements and align with PFN's financial position.
People Leadership
- Directly supervise, mentor, and develop the finance team, including remote team members.
- Conduct regular one-on-ones, performance conversations, and team meetings (mix of in-person and virtual).
- Build a positive, values-driven team culture that reflects PFN's community values.
- Manage workload distribution and ensure adequate cross-training and coverage.
Systems, automation, and continuous improvement
- Own the ongoing automation roadmap and ensure finance systems are maintained, improved, and leveraged effectively.
- Evaluate and recommend system enhancements to reduce manual effort and support the remote work model.
- Develop and maintain a comprehensive finance procedures manual (SOPs) so all processes are documented and not dependent on any single person.
Behaviours and Competencies for Success
- Demonstrates initiative and a proactive approach to problem-solving, consistently rolling up sleeves to address operational challenges. Adapts quickly to changing priorities, showing resilience and resourcefulness in day-to-day tasks.
- Brings a forward-thinking mindset, connecting financial insights to organizational goals and community impact. Anticipates future needs and trends, and champions innovation and process improvement within the team.
- Fosters a culture of teamwork and open communication; empowers others through mentorship and constructive feedback. Builds trust and rapport across diverse groups, including Indigenous communities, staff, and external partners.
- Upholds integrity, transparency, and accountability in all financial and leadership activities. Navigates complex situations with sound judgement, always respecting confidentiality and governance standards.
- Demonstrates genuine respect for Indigenous values, culture, and governance. Is committed to ongoing learning and cultural humility, integrating community perspectives into program delivery and decision-making.
- Clearly conveys financial concepts and strategies to both financial and non-financial audiences. Listens actively, adapts communication style as needed, and ensures information is accessible and actionable.
Lived and learned experience we are seeking
To be the successful candidate for this position, you will have/demonstrate:
- Education or equivalent: CPA (CA, CMA, or CGA) designation in good standing.
- Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or Commerce.
- Skills grounded in lived experience: 8-10+ years of progressive finance experience, including at least 3 years in a leadership or supervisory capacity.
- Experience with full-cycle accounting, budgeting, audit management, and financial reporting in public sector, not-for-profit, Indigenous government, or municipal environments.
- Experience with Xyntax accounting software
- Demonstrated experience with ISC, FNHA, CMHC, or provincial funding agreements and reporting.
- Program leadership: Experience leading or supporting finance transformation, process automation, or system implementation projects.
- People & relationships: Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to communicate financial information to non-financial audiences.
- 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. Cultural awareness and genuine respect for Indigenous governance, values, and community dynamics.
- Certifications & Checks: Must be bondable and able to provide a clear criminal record check, as required.
What we offer
- The opportunity to driving meaningful impact and shaping community-focused initiatives at a strategic level.
- Salary range of $115,000- $140,000 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.
