Join our team!

About Windmill Microlending:

Windmill Microlending enables immigrants and refugees to build careers in Canada while reducing poverty and labour shortages. We do this by offering affordable loans along with career assessment coaching, financial literacy training, and mentorship for newcomers who lack access to mainstream credit.

Since 2005, Windmill has provided over 13,000 loans to clients in healthcare, IT, financial services, law, engineering, and many other fields to triple their incomes as a result of our affordable loans and support. Windmill is a registered Canadian charity supported by donations and community bonds from the private sector and grants from the public sector.

At Windmill, you can make a meaningful impact on the lives of thousands of newcomers. Join a diverse, dynamic team at a leading Canadian not-for-profit where empowering our clients starts with creating an enjoyable workplace for our staff. Our commitment to a fulfilling environment is evident in our 85+% average employee engagement scores on our annual survey.

The role:

This full-time position, based in Toronto, reports to Windmill’s Controller. The Finance Officer role is vital to achieving and maintaining excellent accounting records and supportive relationships with staff, volunteers, service partners, funders, and the general public. This position entails developing and implementing financial procedures for the organization and then regularly analyzing them for success and effectiveness.

The Finance Officer will possess an in-depth understanding of policies and financial regulations, as well as familiarity with modern systems, legislation, and processes within a digital environment. The Finance Officer will play an important role in supporting the significant growth and organizational change Windmill expects to experience over the next few years.

Key responsibilities:

Accounts Payable: (50%)

• Process supplier invoices and employee expense claims using Concur and Sage.
• Ensure timely and accurate payments to vendors via cheques or electronic payments
• Perform regular reconciliations of supplier statements and resolve discrepancies
• Collaborate with different teams to identify the correct expense head
• Respond to information inquiries regarding Accounts Payable and employee expenses
• Monitor AP aging and assist with month-end and year-end closing processes.

General accounting & other tasks: (20%)

• Prepare journal entries and maintain general ledger accuracy
• Record revenue, expenses, assets and liabilities; maintaining accurate and up-to-date ledgers
• Perform month-end and year-end closing activities
• Assist in the preparation of funder reporting
• Conduct account analysis and provide recommendations for process and/or policy improvement
• Collaborate with internal teams to ensure accurate financial reporting
• Assist with implementing sound internal controls and best practices
• Maintain proper filing and documentation of financial records
• Assist with the annual audit and provide support for schedules/reports
• Compile information for financial dashboards and other reporting tools
• Collate and file financial information from all sources and prioritize according to relevance; distribute to appropriate individuals within the organization
• Provide support to the CFO and the Controller, performing additional duties as requested

Banking & Payments: (20%)

• Record daily banking transactions across all banking accounts and monitor daily cash flow
• Ensure grant and donation income is allocated and recorded accurately across designated funds
• Perform daily bank reconciliations to ensure alignment between bank statements and accounting records
• Set up electronic payments in a timely and secure manner
• Liaise with the bank to resolve queries and ensure smooth payment operations
• Reconcile restricted, unrestricted and loan funds received and ensure compliance with donor or funder conditions
• Carry out any other banking or payment-related duties as required to support effective cash management and financial operations

Accounts Receivable: (10%)

• Record and track incoming grants, donations, and other funding income
• Monitor and follow up with other teams on outstanding grant instalments
• Maintain accurate AR records
• Reconcile incoming grants/donations with documentation and bank deposits

Ideal candidate:

You bring proven experience in managing both Accounts Payable and Accounts Receivable functions with a high degree of accuracy and efficiency. You demonstrate strong capabilities in bank reconciliations, cheque processing, and handling various types of payments. Your keen attention to detail and commitment to data integrity ensure precise financial reporting and compliance. You excel at prioritizing tasks and managing multiple deadlines in a fast-paced environment, approaching your work with strong problem-solving skills and a forward-thinking, results-driven mindset.

You communicate with confidence, tact, and professionalism when engaging with executives, board members, and external partners, and you manage confidential information with the utmost discretion. Your solid understanding of core accounting principles and the full month-end process supports your ability to contribute meaningfully to the finance function. Most importantly, you are deeply committed to the mission and values of the organization, bringing passion and integrity to your role as you support work that makes a lasting impact.

Competencies and characteristics:

• Detail-driven, highly organized, and excellent management of time and deadlines
• Excellent analytical, planning, problem-solving and organizational skills
• High-energy, values-driven approach and entrepreneurial aptitude
• Self-motivated, reliable and works well independently or in a team
• Personal qualities of integrity, discretion, confidentiality, and credibility
• Quick to learn new finance systems and software tools
• Strong written and verbal communication skills in English
• Excellent people skills; experienced working in collaborative, multi-disciplinary, diverse and dynamic teams; works well with people with diverse backgrounds and perspectives
• Experience working in a not-for-profit organization is an asset
• Motivated to help immigrants and team members to succeed

Qualifications and knowledge:

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field
• Minimum of 3 years' experience in a finance or accounting role, with emphasis on Accounts Payable and Banking
• Strong understanding of accounting principles and financial processes
• Related experience that demonstrates growth and the progression of skills and responsibilities
• Proficient in accounting software. Experience in Sage Intacct and SAP Concur preferred.
• Intermediate to advanced MS Office skills (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, SharePoint and Outlook)
• Excellent attention to detail, organizational skills, and time management
• Experience managing an audit (from the client side) is an asset
• Experience with government claim processes and reporting is an asset

Compensation and benefits:

• Starting salary range $70,000-$80,000 annually, based on skills and experience required for the role
• Full-time position, 40 hours/week
• Hybrid work solution with a minimum two (2) days in the office
• Position available in Toronto, ON
• Three weeks’ vacation, plus a company-wide winter break
• Benefits plan – medical, dental, short & long-term disability, and life insurance
• Annual Wellness Budget to support personal well-being
• Access to Group RSP with matching employer contributions
• Evolving DEI initiatives – our staff is representative of our client base
• Opportunities for advancement in a supportive and inclusive environment

How to apply:

We thank all candidates in advance. However, we will only contact those selected for an interview. To apply, please submit, in confidence, a résumé, design portfolio and a cover letter that sets out your interest in the role and highlights your relevant experience. Please include your salary expectations in your cover letter. The preferred method of application is via email to hr@teamwindmill.org (reference: Finance Officer).

Windmill Microlending is an equal-opportunity employer. Adhering to Canada’s Human Rights Act, Windmill grants equal employment opportunity to all qualified persons without regard to race, creed, colour, gender identity or expression, disability, sexual orientation, family status, marital status, citizenship, ancestry, ethnic origin, age, or place of origin. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.

As an active participant in the Federal Government’s 50-30 Challenge, we are committed to building a more diverse, inclusive, and vibrant economic future for Canadians by attaining gender parity and significant representation of underrepresented groups on our board and in senior management positions.