MIKISEW CREE FIRST NATION mikisewcree.ca OPPORTUNITY PROFILE │ Chief Financial Officer ABOUT MIKISEW CREE FIRST NATION Mikisew Cree First Nation signed Treaty 8 in 1899. The Mikisew Cree have resided in Northeastern Alberta since time immemorial. The Peace-Athabasca Delta, which is in the centre of their traditional lands, is a unique international ecosystem which is cherished. It is the source of much that sustains them. When the fur trade came west and established a trading fort in this area, the Mikisew Cree were among those who traded furs. The traditional lands of the Mikisew Cree First Nation range over much of the area where the Athabasca Oil Sands deposits have been found. Mikisew Cree First Nation shares this territory with four other First Nations that make up the Athabasca Tribal Council. At the present time, most Mikisew Cree First Nation members reside in Fort McMurray, Edmonton, Fort Smith, NWT and Fort Chipewyan. Their Nation has the largest population of the five Athabasca Tribal Council Nations. In 1986, a Treaty Land Entitlement was signed with Canada that created several Reserves in and around the Fort Chipewyan area and into the area north of Lake Athabasca. The Mikisew Cree First Nation is proud of their heritage, and confident in its bright future. THE OPPORTUNITY Accountable to the Chief Executive Officer, the Chief Financial Officer participates as an integral member of the senior management team and performs duties in accordance with the mandate and priorities of the Mikisew Cree First Nation Administration. The Chief Financial Officer will coordinate, administer, and supervise the day-to-day financial activities of the organization. They will respond to queries and perform financially related action items for all major function areas of the Mikisew Cree First Nation Administration including but not limited to: Band Administration, Community Services (Health, Education, and Social Development) and Technical Services (Housing, Public Works, and Property Management). The Chief Financial Officer leads, manages and carries out the full range of controllership and financial activities including budgeting, analyses, accounts receivable and payable, preparation of financial statements, month and year- end reports, and a variety of financial reporting. The Chief Financial Officer develops and implements financial policies, systems and procedures, and monitors compliance. The Chief Financial Officer is also responsible for the coaching and mentoring of financial staff and training of the senior management team on preparation of budgets and understanding of financial documents and reports. This position is based in Fort McMurray, Alberta. KEY ROLES & RESPONSIBILITIES • Leads, focuses, builds, develops, and motivates the staff in the successful achievement of the Mikisew Cree First Nation’s financial plans, goals, and objectives. • Develops and implements financial training and development opportunities for the organization, supports staff, and provides one-on-one mentoring and coaching when requested or necessary. • Leads, manages and carries out the full range of controllership and financial activities, including budgeting, job costing, capital accounting, analyses, accounts receivable and payable, payroll activities, preparation of audit papers and a variety of financial reporting. • Oversees the management of all leases, contracts, capital expenditures, and other financial commitments. OPPORTUNITY PROFILE │ Chief Financial Officer 2 • Develops and implements financial policies, systems and procedures, and monitors compliance. • Acts as an “Internal Auditor” reporting any irregularities or activities of a fraudulent nature, misappropriation of funds, assets that are unaccounted for, and questionable expenditures or purchases to the Chief Executive Officer and/or the Chief and Council. • Works closely with the Chief Executive Officer and senior management to develop and monitor budgets on a timely basis for all departments. • Prepares budgets for funding requests, business plans, reports, and proposals as well as interfaces with government agencies, financial institutions, and suppliers of goods and services. • Oversees the preparation of journal entries, reconciliations, financial statements, estimates, summaries and carries out a wide variety of financial analyses. • Ensures the timely and accurate preparation of month and year-end adjusting, correcting, recurring, accruals and prepaid journal entries, bank reconciliations, audit working papers and financial statements. • Coordinates financial goals and objectives of the Mikisew Cree First Nation as well as implement goals through weekly action. • Provides information and advice to management on strengthening internal controls and compliance and works closely with the external auditors. • Reviews investment portfolios for security, accountability and maximum rate of return and advises the Chief Executive Officer accordingly. • Builds strong and effective relationships and networks both internally and externally to advance the Mikisew Cree First Nations objectives and promote its positions, policies and interests. Specifically, works with the banking community to ensure the best loan and interest rate strategies and execution. • Other duties as assigned. THE PERSON QUALIFICATIONS & EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS • CPA designation is required • A minimum of five years’ experience, with preference given to ten plus years, in finance, accounting, payroll management, budgetary planning, development and implementation. • Demonstrated management experience supervising, mentoring, coaching, and training finance staff and senior managers. Ability to manage, motivate, guide and mentor a support staff. • The CFO must have a very humble heart and attitude. • Ability to clearly communicate complex information to a wide variety of audiences simply and understandably. • The CFO must be willing to be very hands on. The CFO must be able to balance 1) empowerment, not micromanaging with 2) the very strong willingness to pitch in and do any detail accounting task, even entry-level task if required to support the Finance team. We are looking for a hard-working, servant leader. • Demonstrated superior financial acumen and written and verbal communication skills. • Familiarity with funding agencies and reporting. • Ability to maintain confidentiality. • Advanced level of knowledge of computer accounting software (preferably AccPac and Xyntax). OPPORTUNITY PROFILE │ Chief Financial Officer 3 • Experience with audits, working papers, budgets, internal controls, and payroll. • Successful results from any required security, criminal record, or financial background checks with an ability to be bondable. • Demonstrated meticulous attention to detail. • Demonstrated effective interpersonal and negotiation skills, leadership, teamwork, diplomacy, and judgment. • Ability to work in politically sensitive, changing and uncertain environment. • Diplomatic and tactful, strong negotiator and influencer. • Self-motivated and highly organized, results oriented. • Demonstrated strong personal ethics. KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ATTRIBUTES Humility: A humble leader who treats others with respect regardless of their position, role or title. A hard worker with a strong willingness to pitch in and do any detail accounting task, including entry-level tasks if required, to support the team. Effective at building positive relationships with staff and partnerships with stakeholders at all levels. Assertive, if required, without being aggressive. Values empowerment over micromanagement. Tactful and diplomatic. Visionary Leadership: Very focused, strong organizational and time management skills to effectively manage multiple priorities and projects. Energetic and adaptable to new and changing situations. Acts as a servant leader who fosters positive relationships across different departments with various stakeholders. Sees and acts on immediate issues without losing sight of the long-term goals and objectives. An innovative and strategic thinker and planner, who can translate goals into an action plan. A coach and team builder—identifies and mentors future leaders. Models and fosters a proactive and results-oriented operating style with a strong client-service focus. Change Agent: Drives change within the organization; able to view “big picture” and be detail-oriented simultaneously. Can manage short-term responsibilities while considering the long-term. Financial Management: Proven ability to work in a fiscal environment of growth with a significant number of financial transactions. Timely and efficient in all budgeting, financing, and information reporting. Operational Management: Clear focus on strategic planning and the ensuing design, implementation, and improvement of operational processes and procedures. Drives the monitoring of systems and procedures internally and shares knowledge with others. Ability to respect political needs and direction, while maintaining independent decision-making with sound judgment. Politically Astute: Able to build on existing relationships and manage change with an awareness of stakeholder motivations and interests. Able to be discreet. Cultural Sensitivity: Able to work in a culturally diverse environment in a respectful manner and willing to attend cultural training sessions. Proactive and Results-Oriented: Able to focus initiatives and activities toward objectives of the Council and execute with minimal deviations from time and cost. Establish processes to adequately measure