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Hot Docs is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to advancing and celebrating the art of documentary and to creating production opportunities for documentary filmmakers.

Hot Docs Canadian International Documentary Festival, North America’s largest documentary festival, conference and market, will present its 30th anniversary edition from April 27 to May 7, 2023.

Year round, Hot Docs supports the Canadian and international industry with professional development programs and a multi-million-dollar production fund portfolio, and fosters education through documentaries with its popular free program Docs For Schools.

Hot Docs also owns and programs the Hot Docs Ted Rogers Cinema, a century-old landmark located in Toronto’s Annex neighbourhood and the world’s first and largest documentary cinema.  While closed during the current pandemic, Hot Docs is offering audiences across Canada access to first-run documentaries and curated programming and events on its Hot Docs at Home streaming service.

Additionally, Hot Docs is the event organizer for the annual World Congress of Science and Factual Producers, a member-run conference for science and factual producers, broadcasters and content providers from around the world.


OPPORTUNITY TYPE: Full-time Permanent

REPORTS TO: President


JOB DESCRIPTION

Do you want to guide financial decisions and lead the finance team at North America’s largest and one of the world’s most respected Documentary Film organizations?  Opportunity is knocking.

Reporting to the President, the Senior Controller serves as a key member of the leadership team and is the owner of all accounting and finance matters of the organization.  This role is very hands-on with a wide range of responsibilities, including oversight of the daily accounting operations of 4 legal entities, cash forecasting, financial reporting, budgeting, year-end close, and the financial audit.  The Senior Controller will also participate in the organization’s strategic planning and operational execution as it relates to the finance function.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

  • Actively manage the Accounting Manager and Bookkeeper to ensure accounts payable invoices, employee expense reports, and corporate credit card statements are properly coded with supporting documentation and processed in a timely manner.
  • Work with Human Resources and the Accounting Manager to ensure payroll is coded to the proper department and salary line.
  • Work with the business development and accounting teams to ensure billing invoices from Salesforce are entered into QuickBooks.
  • Reconcile and match customer credit card payment batches via Moneris platform to outstanding receivable invoices to avoid overstatement of receivables and revenue in QuickBooks.
  • Review receipt batches from the Agile system to ensure all cinema related receipts are properly coded and uploaded into QuickBooks in a timely manner.
  • Ensure all bank accounts are reconciled at the beginning of every month.
  • Gatekeeper of the chart of accounts, item, and class codes in QuickBooks to ensure consistency across legal entities.
  • Ownership of the annual budget, including control of the budget and forecast model, analysis of historical data as required, working with leadership and department directors on their budget line items, and preparing the final budget package for the Board of Directors and Finance Committee.
  • Update budget model with actuals, prepare annual forecasts, and cash forecasts as required.
  • Work with the President and leadership team to develop long-term financial plans.
  • Manage banking relationships, including day-to-day banking issues, loan facilities, and corporate credit program.
  • Primary contact for the external auditor and full oversight of the annual audit.
  • Ensure all tax filing, regulatory, and funding agreement reporting deadlines are met.
  • Participate in setting the strategic direction of the organization, draft and enforce accounting policies and procedures, and stay informed of industry trends.
  • Ensure financial activities and stewardship follow organization-wide standards and practices.
  • Develop annual risk assessment, including but not limited to financial risks.
  • Lead contact with the Finance Committee of the Board of Directors.
  • Provide financial insights to the leadership team, the President, and the Board.
  • Attend Board meetings and act as the primary source of financial information and insight for the Board Finance & Board Executive Committees.
  • Recruit, train, and mentor the finance team; ensure performance, collaboration, and diversity are prioritized.
  • Maintain professional accreditation and development (funded).

KEY REQUIREMENTS

  • CA, CPA or equivalent professional accounting designation.  
  • Bachelor’s degree in finance, business administration or commerce.
  • At least 10-15 years of progressive accounting and management experience is required;
  • Strong technical accounting background required, knowledge of Canadian accounting standards for not-for-profit organizations is a definite plus.
  • Previous experience within the charitable not-for-profit sector is strongly desired.
  • Experience within film and television production or arts and culture is desired but not required.
  • Expert knowledge of Microsoft Excel (pivot tables, v-lookups, conditional statements, etc.) and strong modeling skills are an absolute must.
  • Previous experience with accounting systems required; QuickBooks Desktop version experience is a definite plus.
  • Willingness to roll up your sleeves to get the job done.
  • Ability to work independently and as a member of the team.
  • Strong verbal and written communication skills, comfortable communicating with colleagues at all levels of the organization and third parties.
  • Ability to prioritize and manage multiple tasks in a fast-paced work environment.
  • Demonstrated successful experience incorporating the principles and practice of EDI into their managerial approach.
  • Outstanding negotiator with excellent influencing skills.

APPLICATION

Please forward a cover letter and resume to [email protected].

Attn: Elena Romanova, Human Resources
Subject: Hiring Committee – Senior Controller
Email: [email protected]


EQUITY STATEMENT
Hot Docs is a forum to share stories and perspectives on the people, issues and events that shape our world, and we encourage respectful discussion and debate to foster greater understanding and empathy.

An integral component of this is Hot Docs’ commitment to fostering an organizational culture that brings together people with different races, identities, abilities, experiences and skills. Hot Docs is committed to reflecting the diverse communities we serve in the stories we present and also in our workforce. We encourage applications from diverse communities and welcome applicants who have demonstrated a commitment to upholding the values of equity, diversity, and inclusion.

ACCOMMODATION STATEMENT
Hot Docs encourages applications from qualified candidates and will accommodate applicants’ needs throughout all stages of the recruitment and selection process. Please advise the hiring manager to ensure your accessibility needs are accommodated throughout this process. Information received relating to the accommodation will be addressed confidentially.

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