Director, Finance and Accounting

The Real Estate Council of Ontario (RECO) is seeking one (1) Director, Finance & Accounting. We have one permanent position available to start immediately.

About RECO

The Real Estate Council of Ontario (RECO) regulates real estate agents and brokerages in the province, protecting the public interest through a safe and informed marketplace. RECO holds real estate agents to professional standards and enhances consumer confidence in the real estate profession. In addition, RECO strives to educate consumers to ensure they understand the benefits of a regulated real estate sector. 

RECO is a not-for-profit corporation that is delegated by the provincial government to administer and enforce the Trust in Real Estate Services Act, 2002 (TRESA) and associated regulations. RECO was established in 1997 as a delegated administrative authority (DAA) under the Safety and Consumer Statutes Administration Act.  This was the result of a mutual desire between the government and the real estate industry to enhance professionalism, increase consumer protection and provide an effective and responsive regulatory framework. The Ministry of Public and Business Service Delivery continues to be responsible for TRESA and associated regulations, as well as general oversight of RECO.

With more than 170 employees, RECO is a small but dynamic work environment where quality work/life balance is valued. A career at RECO is a challenging, satisfying and rewarding experience, an opportunity to work with a collegial team of employees that welcomes new people and new ideas with enthusiasm and warmth. RECO employees enjoy attractive benefits plans, education and training programs, advancement possibilities, and the opportunity to contribute collectively to the regulation of the real estate industry and the protection of the Ontario consumer.

Hybrid work environment

RECO has adopted a ‘hybrid’ environment, which will typically include a minimum attendance in the office of one day per week, with some teams requiring more frequent in-office attendance.

RECO’s commitment to diversity and inclusion: They aren’t just words to us!

RECO is committed to promoting an equitable, diverse, and inclusive environment that includes awareness, education, and engagement-building opportunities for all employees.

The role

Reporting to the Chief Operations Officer, the Director of Finance and Accounting will provide strategic leadership, direction and management for the finance and accounting team. The Director will make strategic recommendations to senior management, develop, and maintain processes for financial modelling including forecasting and budgeting, will ensure external financial reports meet the standards of not-for-profit organizations for disclosure and transparency, and will ensure compliance with internal policy and all applicable finance reporting and regulatory obligations.

Key responsibilities

• Provide leadership, direction and management of the finance and accounting team.
• Provide strategic recommendations to senior management with respect to departmental functions as well as input into the overall strategy of the organization.
• Manage financial controls and accounting procedures, ensuring compliance with Policy on Delegation and Sub-Delegation of Authorities, Expenses, and other related finance policies.
• Ensure financial statements and variance reports are appropriate for management purposes.
• Analyze complex financial data to identify trends, risks, and opportunities, including future revenue and fee structure models and make recommendations to executive leadership.
• Ensure banking, investments and related activities for all accounts are in accordance with Board policy and make recommendations for changes, conducting periodic benchmarking and best practice reviews.
• Manage the process for the production and presentation of the annual budget and three-year plan as well as quarterly forecast updates and present to senior management and the Board.
• Lead research, analysis and present reports as required by Management, ensuring the data meets the needs of the disparate stakeholder audiences.
• Manage annual audit of financial statements.
• Provide inputs to annual report, create MD&A and other communications to external and internal stakeholders.
• Ensure timely and accurate filing and payment of tax obligations.
• Oversee a process for effective contract management.
• Identify, quantify, and report potential risks and identify and propose resolutions for instances of non-compliance.
• Monitor trends and requirements in financial statement presentation and disclosure.
• Manage professional development of staff, succession planning.

Decision-making and authority

• Financial and accounting software appropriate to the organization.
• Adequacy of controls over processing of financial/accounting transactions. 
• Adequacy of procedures and controls over contract management.
• Long-term departmental goals for management and professional development of staff, succession planning consistent with organization policy and departmental needs.
• Adoption of or changes to accounting policy, investment policy, policies related to the delegation of authorities, corporate compliance, document storage and retention.

Skills/knowledge/experience/education required

• Training and experience in accounting, finance, and administration, such as a degree in business and accounting designation recognized by CPA Canada.
• 10+ years of experience in accounting and/or finance, preferably with a non-profit organization in a leadership role.
• Strong leadership, coaching, communications, interpersonal skills - to lead a team with one direct report and two staff.
• Experience in fund accounting and the use of deferred accounting practices.
• Knowledge of not-for-profit sector accounting requirements preferred.
• Superior organizational and analytical skills to ensure reporting deadlines are met.
• Knowledge and experience using the Microsoft Dynamics CRM software.
• Knowledge and experience in Microsoft Office/365 products, and advanced Excel skills.
• General tax knowledge related to filings required for Not-for-Profit organizations, HST, PST. 
• Experience preparing for year end audits and associated external reporting requirements.
• Strong presentation skills with ability to present financial information to executives and Board of Directors.

To apply

To express interest in this exciting opportunity, email your cover letter and resume to:

Patrick Rowan, Partner, Feldman Daxon Partners
45 St. Clair Avenue West, Suite 700, Toronto, ON M4V 1K9
Tel: 416-515-3302 | Email: prowan@feldmandaxon.com

About Feldman Daxon Partners

Feldman Daxon Partners is Canada’s longest-standing national provider of executive search, career transition, and coaching/leadership development services. For over 30 years, we have been at the forefront of innovation in human resources consulting by integrating these three services. Our Executive Search practice has been locating top talent for senior executive and managerial positions on a retainer-fee basis since our firm was founded in 1991. Our unwavering set of core values and dedication to client service has allowed us to build and maintain relationships with hundreds of clients in every market sector, and across Canada. Regular communication, high-quality candidate shortlists, industry knowledge, judgment, and expediency in our retainer search services are all reasons Canada’s leading companies choose to partner with the professionals at Feldman Daxon.