Chief Financial Officer – Qalipu First Nation

Added - 01/05/26 Chief Financial Officer Accounting / Finance Corner Brook , Newfoundland and Labrador | Direct Hire

Higher Talent is currently seeking a Chief Financial Officer (CFO) to join the leadership team at Qalipu First Nation, located in the province of Newfoundland and Labrador.

OUR STORY:

Qalipu is part of the Mi’kmaq Nation whose territory extends from Maine to Quebec, through the Maritime Provinces and into Ktaqmkuk (Newfoundland). This territory is also known as Mi’kma’ki. This Indian Act Band is unique in its size (one of the largest Bands in Canada) and representation; most Mi’kmaq ancestors who were denied rights when Newfoundland joined Canada in 1949 would not live long enough to see the government finally recognize their existence more than sixty years later. Today, some twenty‑five thousand of their descendants proudly claim Indian status in our community.

Qalipu is made up of 67 traditional Mi’kmaq communities, spread out over nine Electoral Wards. An elected Chief and Council govern the Qalipu First Nation. Ward Councillors are elected to represent each of the nine Wards. Additionally, two Vice‑Chiefs represent western and central Newfoundland, and the Chief is the official spokesperson and leader of the Qalipu First Nation as a whole.

Qalipu has five satellite offices located in Gander, Glenwood, Grand Falls‑Windsor, St. George’s, and Stephenville, with its central administrative office in Corner Brook. These offices give representation to the regions of our dispersed Mi’kmaq communities. For more information, please visit www.qalipu.ca.

THE ROLE:

The Chief Financial Officer is responsible for the oversight of the financial systems of the band. The CFO will act as the liaison to the Band’s Finance & Audit Committee (FAC), working closely with the Committee to strengthen the Band’s financial position and other duties as required. The CFO will continually evaluate best industry practices in comparison to internal systems and needed resources and work toward both future needs and budget realities.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide overall financial management, including budgeting, forecasting, cash flow, payroll, accounts payable/receivable, and audit coordination
• Prepare and present monthly, quarterly, and annual financial reports and statements to senior leadership and the Finance and Audit Committee (FAC)
• Develop annual budgets, multi‑year financial plans, capital budgets, and tangible capital asset maintenance schedules
• Ensure compliance with financial legislation, funding agreements, QFN policies, and First Nation Financial Management Board (FMB) requirements
• Maintain QFN’s FMB Certification and support Finance and Audit Committee activities
• Coordinate external audits, review audit findings, and oversee implementation of corrective actions
• Monitor investments, debt agreements, and financial risks, reporting issues and recommendations to the FAC and Council
• Implement and monitor purchasing practices, cash controls, and internal financial controls
• Prepare tender documents, administer contracts, and manage vendor relationships
• Monitor departmental spending and recommend corrective actions as needed
• Lead, evaluate, and support the performance of finance staff
• Support enterprise‑wide insurance and risk management activities in collaboration with the Band Manager
• Perform other related duties as required

QUALIFICATIONS:

Education: A bachelor’s level degree in Commerce, Business Management, or a related area from an accredited university or college. An accounting designation (CPA) or partial completion is preferred.

Experience: The CFO will have 5 years of experience, with at least 3 years managing the finance of an organization or business unit similar in size and scope. The CFO will have experience in leading strategic planning activities and administering effective organizations that have multiple functional areas. The CFO must have previous team leadership responsibilities in a fast‑paced and demanding environment.

• Demonstrated experience in financial management, accounting and reporting
• Experience with audit functions, organization legal compliance and budgeting
• General management and team leadership skills
• Experience in effective reporting of key data
• Excellent interpersonal, communication and organizational skills

This position will have direct management responsibility for the Finance Department staff.

THE EMPLOYMENT PACKAGE:

The Qalipu First Nation offers a competitive compensation package tailored to experience, along with benefits designed to support your professional and personal growth.

HOW TO APPLY:

Apply in strictest confidence by submitting a resume through the Apply button.

For more information, please contact:
Jacqui Janes | Senior Recruiter
jacqui@highertalent.ca
Higher Talent | www.highertalent.ca

At Higher Talent, we recognize the value of diversity and are committed to making intentional steps toward building inclusive teams that better reflect the communities JUMP and the organizations we serve operate within. We believe that inclusion is not just about making room at the table but about seeking out talent through a diversity lens and letting everyone know that their unique perspectives are important contributions to building stronger workplaces in a changing world. We encourage all qualified candidates to apply for our posted positions. We welcome candidates to self‑identify or make our recruitment team aware of any potential accommodations they may need during the recruitment process. This opportunity is available for candidates legally entitled to work in Canada. We thank all applicants for their interest; however, only those candidates being considered for an interview will be contacted.