Senior Accountant

Grow your finance career at one of the most unique workplaces in Calgary with the Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo.  We are looking for a full-time Senior Accountant to join our dedicated team of Finance professionals. Reporting to the Controller, the Senior Accountant is primarily responsible for maintenance of restricted funds and completion of special projects and contributes to financial reporting & budgeting for the Calgary Zoological Society and the Calgary Zoo Foundation.           

Our Mission | Take and inspire action to sustain wildlife and wild places        

Our Values | Effective collaboration and communication, honesty and integrity, customer focus, safety, and conservation         

What you will do:  

Restricted Funds Accounting       

• Complete oversight of restricted funds
• Establish and maintain processes over restricted fund management 
• Preparation of conservation project financial statements and analysis   
• Explaining financial results to conservation project managers at regular meetings Stewardship of new funding to ensure it is accurately tracked and utilized for allowable expenditures   
• Review of funding agreements and contracts     
• Oversight/preparation of grant reporting             

Special Projects         

•  Completion of special projects on an as needed basis, including, but not limited to, profitability analysis, improvements of management reporting, identification of improvement opportunities in existing processes and change implementation, assisting in financial system optimization.       

Financial Reporting & Budgeting         

• Contribute to monthly management reporting, analyzing trends and results vs. budget and forecasts.      
• Assist in the quarterly financial reporting for the Board of Directors.     
• Contribute to the preparation and coordination of the annual audited financial statements and notes.       
• Assist in the coordination, preparation, review and analysis of annual budgets and quarterly forecasting.        

Other duties as assigned.         

What you will bring:          

• Professional Accounting designation required (CPA) 
• Minimum three years accounting experience
• Experience in an accounting environment, including analyzing financial results, accurate record keeping and project management
• Familiarity with computerized Accounting Systems
• Experience in word processing, spreadsheet applications and databases 
• Well-developed personal and communication skills 
• Experience in restricted fund and not-for-profit accounting and reporting are considered an asset
• Experience in designing and/or improving business processes  

Working Conditions:         

• This is a largely sedentary position that requires considerable keyboard work, some telephone work, and occasional on-grounds mobility.   

The Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo is an outdoor facility and all staff must be comfortable working in a large variety of outdoor conditions. The Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo follows the advice of Environment Canada when responding to temperature and air quality issues.         

The Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo is no smoking environment including vaping.         

What We Offer:         

• Competitive Compensation
• Flexible benefits plan, including a health spending account
• Employer matching RRSP 
• Participation in the Staff Pass Benefit Program
• Discounts on food, beverage, and merchandise 
• A fun, rewarding work environment and the opportunity to work in a park full of animals from around the world  

Are you ready to join and support our growing conservation efforts, ensuring funding is utilized accurately and efficiently while adding value to our zoo through meaningful analysis and enhanced reporting? If this position suits your skills, experience, and personal attributes, we want to talk to you.         

Apply by doing the following:       

• Watch this video about the conservation work being done at the Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ewuP6xA-yiA)   
• Submit your resume with a cover letter via our online application system.        

Applicants must be legally entitled to work in Canada.         

If this position is a fit for you, we encourage you to apply with a resume and cover letter no later than February 25 2024 @ 4:00pm MST.          

The Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo strives to cultivate a workplace in which everyone feels welcome and empowered to bring their authentic selves to work. As a conservation organization, we respect and value the diversity of all life and come together as individuals and teammates to achieve the organization’s mission and vision. We recognize the value of diversity, equity, and inclusion, and work to advance our culture to ensure diverse viewpoints are heard and everyone has an equitable chance to succeed and thrive.         

All candidates are thanked for their applications and advised that only those selected for interviews will be contacted