Director of Finance
KIRAH Executive Search & Leadership Advisory has been exclusively retained by theLangley Animal Protection Society, known as LAPS, to lead the search for its next Director of Finance.
This is an opportunity for an experienced finance leader to bring strong financial stewardship, operational discipline, and strategic insight to a respected community organization whose work directly improves the lives of animals and families.
The successful candidate will join a committed leadership team and serve as a trusted financial advisor to the Executive Director and Board. This individual will combine strategic thinking with hands-on execution and will be comfortable moving between Board-level reporting, organizational planning, payroll, financial controls, compliance, budgeting, and day-to-day accounting.
This search is intended for a finance leader who values accountability, reliability, communication, and purpose.
About the Langley Animal Protection Society
The Langley Animal Protection Society is a growing non-profit organization committed to compassionate animal welfare and community support.
Each year, LAPS provides safe harbour and care to more than 650 animals. The organization also supports families in need through programs such asMajor’s LegacyandNew Beginnings, while continuing to build a future centred on innovative, responsible, and compassionate animal welfare.
LAPS is supported by a dedicated Board, an experienced Executive Director, a collaborative leadership team, committed employees, volunteers, donors, and community partners.
The organization’s work is deeply meaningful, but its impact also depends on strong financial leadership, trusted internal systems, responsible governance, and long-term sustainability.
The Leadership Opportunity
Reporting to the Executive Director, the Director of Finance will serve as the organization’s senior financial leader.
This is both a strategic and operational role.
The Director of Finance will advise the Executive Director and Board, support organizational planning, oversee financial reporting and compliance, and ensure that core financial operations are completed accurately, consistently, and on time.
The successful candidate must be comfortable working in a lean environment where leadership involves both direction and execution.
This is not a role for someone who wants to operate at a distance from the details. It is well suited to a leader who enjoys taking ownership, solving problems, improving systems, and ensuring that the organization can rely on its finance function every day.
The Leadership Mandate
The Director of Finance will be responsible for strengthening and sustaining the financial foundation of LAPS.
The mandate includes:
Financial Leadership and Advice
- Serve as the principal financial advisor to the Executive Director.
- Provide clear, practical financial guidance to the Board and leadership team.
- Translate financial information into meaningful insights that support sound decisions.
- Contribute to organizational planning, resource allocation, and long-term sustainability.
- Identify financial risks, operational gaps, and opportunities for improvement.
Financial Reporting and Accounting
- Prepare accurate month-end and year-end financial statements.
- Develop summarized financial reporting for leadership and Board review.
- Prepare journal entries and account reconciliations.
- Maintain complete, accurate, and audit-ready financial records.
- Oversee bank reconciliations, online banking, and cash flow management.
- Track deferred grant revenue and prepare related reporting.
Budgeting and Financial Planning
- Lead the annual budgeting process in collaboration with department leaders.
- Support managers in developing realistic and responsible departmental budgets.
- Monitor actual financial performance against budget.
- Prepare projections, forecasts, and revenue plans.
- Recommend efficiencies and improvements based on financial analysis.
- Help leadership understand the financial implications of organizational decisions.
Compliance, Governance, and Risk
- Ensure timely completion of required tax and regulatory filings.
- Oversee PST, GST, T3010, charitable gaming-related, payroll, and other required reporting.
- Maintain appropriate internal financial controls.
- Support audit preparation and external financial review processes.
- Conduct financial risk analysis and prepare compliance reporting for the Board.
- Coordinate insurance renewals, including vehicle, liability, directors and officers, and cyber coverage.
- Obtain insurance certificates as required.
Payroll, Benefits, and Employee Administration
- Process or oversee bi-weekly payroll for hourly and salaried employees.
- Ensure payroll deadlines are consistently met.
- Administer employee benefits and group RRSP requirements.
- Ensure compliance with CRA payroll remittances.
- Prepare T4s and required WorkSafe reporting.
- Maintain accurate payroll and employee financial records.
- Support occasional payroll requirements related to weekends or statutory holidays.
Accounts Payable and Receivable
- Oversee invoice approvals, vendor payments, EFT processing, and credit card reconciliations.
- Manage invoicing under existing contracts and other billing arrangements.
- Administer corporate credit cards and related accounts.
- Maintain appropriate approval, documentation, and reconciliation processes.
- Ensure vendors, partners, and internal stakeholders receive timely and professional support.
Financial Systems and Administration
- Act as administrator for finance-related systems, websites, and platforms.
- Maintain current user access, licenses, and account information.
- Liaise with external technology providers where required.
- Identify opportunities to strengthen, streamline, or modernize financial processes.
- Ensure that critical systems and financial information remain secure, organized, and accessible.
What Success Will Look Like
In the First 90 Days
The successful candidate will:
- Build strong working relationships with the Executive Director, Board leadership, and senior team.
- Develop a clear understanding of the organization’s financial position, systems, obligations, and operating environment.
- Establish confidence in the accuracy and timeliness of payroll, reporting, banking, and compliance.
- Review existing controls, processes, reporting practices, and key financial deadlines.
- Identify immediate risks, priorities, and opportunities for improvement.
- Ensure continuity across all essential financial functions.
Within Six Months
The Director of Finance will:
- Strengthen monthly reporting and financial visibility.
- Support leadership with practical budgeting and forecasting.
- Improve the consistency and reliability of financial systems and processes.
- Establish clear financial calendars, accountabilities, and reporting expectations.
- Build a reputation for responsiveness, follow-through, and sound judgment.
- Help leadership make better informed operational and strategic decisions.
Within the First Year
The Director of Finance will:
- Be recognized as a trusted financial advisor to the Executive Director and Board.
- Strengthen financial governance, risk management, and internal controls.
- Contribute meaningfully to long-term planning and organizational sustainability.
- Improve the quality, clarity, and usefulness of financial reporting.
- Build confidence throughout the organization in the finance function.
- Create a stable financial platform that supports LAPS’ continued growth and community impact.
The Leader LAPS Is Seeking
LAPS is seeking more than a technically capable finance professional.
The organization requires someone who can be relied upon.
The successful candidate will demonstrate:
- A high level of personal integrity and professional judgment.
- Consistent accountability and follow-through.
- Strong initiative and the ability to act without constant direction.
- Clear, timely, and proactive communication.
- Careful attention to accuracy and deadlines.
- The confidence to advise senior leadership and the Board.
- The humility to remain hands-on when required.
- Calmness and sound decision-making under pressure.
- Respect for confidentiality and organizational trust.
- A collaborative approach to working with colleagues across different functions.
- A genuine interest in contributing to a purpose-driven organization.
Throughout KIRAH’s initial discovery, the need for reliability, ownership, communication, professionalism, and trust was emphasized as central to long-term success in this appointment.