Senior Finance Officer (14 Month Contract)

SENIOR FINANCIAL OFFICER (14 MONTH CONTRACT)

La version française suit.

This is a hybrid position based out of the CIFAR office located in the MaRS Discovery building. Staff are required to be in the office three days a week, ensuring a balance of in-person collaboration and flexibility.

This posting is for an existing vacancy.

About CIFAR

The Next Leap Starts Here. At CIFAR, we don’t just solve complex challenges; we imagine new possibilities for humanity. We are a global catalyst for breakthroughs, mobilizing the world’s most brilliant minds to tackle the questions that define our future. Founded in Canada and connected to the world, we provide the platform for high-risk, high-reward research.

When you join CIFAR, you aren’t just taking a job: you are joining a community dedicated to the long-term benefit of people and the planet.

For more information, please visit our website.

The Opportunity

CIFAR is seeking a detail-oriented and analytical Senior Financial Officer to join our Finance team for a 14-month parental leave coverage contract.

Reporting to the Director, Finance, you will play a critical role in ensuring the integrity and accuracy of CIFAR's financial reporting, supporting organizational decision-making, and maintaining strong financial controls. This position is ideal for an experienced accounting professional who enjoys both hands-on financial operations and contributing to process improvements that enhance organizational effectiveness.

As a key member of the Finance team, you will prepare monthly and quarterly financial reporting, oversee researcher compensation processes, support donor and government reporting requirements, and collaborate with colleagues across the organization to ensure financial information is accurate, timely, and meaningful.

You will work with the PCAIS (Pan-Canadian AI Strategy) and CAISI (Canadian AI Safety Institute) staff to complete monthly Cash Flow reports and other reports required by the Federal government.

This role offers a unique opportunity to contribute to a mission-driven organization operating at the intersection of research, philanthropy, and public funding.

Key Responsibilities & Impact

Financial Reporting & Analysis

• Prepare monthly financial statements, reconciliations, and supporting analyses to ensure accurate and timely reporting.
• Analyze financial results, including budget-to-actual variances, and support donor and management reporting.
• Contribute to quarterly and year-end financial reporting that informs organizational decision-making.

Financial Operations & Compliance

• Lead researcher compensation and other key financial processes, ensuring accuracy, timeliness, and excellent stakeholder service.
• Support the annual audit, charitable filings, government reporting, and other compliance requirements.
• Maintain the integrity of financial data through reconciliations and ongoing monitoring of financial activity.

Process Improvement & Collaboration

• Identify opportunities to strengthen financial systems, processes, and internal controls.
• Lead or support initiatives that improve efficiency, accuracy, and scalability within the Finance function.
• Collaborate with colleagues across CIFAR and external partners to support organizational priorities and reporting requirements.

About You

You are a collaborative and detail-oriented accounting professional who enjoys turning complex financial information into accurate, meaningful reporting. You combine strong technical expertise with a continuous improvement mindset and thrive in a mission-driven environment.

You bring

• A degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, or a related field.
• At least five years of progressive full-cycle accounting experience.
• Strong knowledge of financial reporting, account reconciliations, and accounting principles.
• Experience with accounting software such as QuickBooks and advanced Excel and/or Google Sheets skills.
• Excellent analytical, organizational, and communication skills, with a high level of accuracy and attention to detail.

Assets

• CPA designation (or progress toward completion).
• Experience in the nonprofit, charitable, research, higher education, or publicly funded sector.
• Experience supporting audits, government reporting, and donor-funded programs.

Hiring Salary Range

$75,293 – $88,580

To ensure fair and equitable pay at CIFAR, placement on the salary range will be based on your years of experience, skills, and qualifications relevant to the role.

What We Offer

Just as we champion the world's best researchers, we champion our people. We offer a culture of collaboration, courage, clarity and curiosity. Our benefits prioritize your well-being, growth and inclusion so you can do your best work in a community of extraordinary thinkers.

Our team members benefit from

• Comprehensive wellness - mental health supports, 4 weeks’ vacation, and “CIFAR Days” (days off with pay) throughout the year.
• Opportunities for learning and growth - supported by professional development resources.
• An inclusive, collaborative culture - grounded in our values, the “4Cs” (Collaboration, Curiosity, Courage and Clarity), where diverse perspectives are valued, and ideas are encouraged.
• Work Flexibility - We encourage a hybrid working model that includes work-from-home arrangements with a minimum of 3 days in the office and Focus Fridays (meeting-free Fridays every week).

Apply:

Qualified applicants are invited to apply by August 17, 2026, at 11:59pm. We appreciate your interest in this opportunity, however, only those selected for an interview will be contacted via email.

Our Commitment to Inclusion

CIFAR is committed to equity, diversity and inclusion. We recognize that bringing together individuals from multiple backgrounds, perspectives and experiences is integral to advancing excellence and increasing the impact of our organization.

Our leadership, staff and volunteers strive to create an equitable, diverse and inclusive workplace and, in turn, an environment that will give our diverse global community of researchers the support to successfully address the most important questions facing science and humanity.

Ensuring that every person feels valued and welcome, regardless of age, education, sexual orientation, gender expression and identity, parental status/responsibility, immigration status, Indigenous status, religion, disability, language, race, place of origin, ethnicity, culture, socio-economic status, and other attributes is vital to achieving our mission.

We strongly encourage applications from members of our society who face systemic barriers and biases, including, but not limited to, women, Indigenous persons, members of visible minority/racialized communities, 2SLGBTQ+ persons, members of marginalized gender identity communities, and persons with disabilities. Applicants may confidentially self-identify at the time of application.

ACCESSIBILITY FOR APPLICANTS WITH DISABILITIES - CIFAR is committed to providing accommodations throughout the recruitment and selection process to applicants with disabilities, in accordance with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005, and the Ontario Human Rights Code.

To request a reasonable accommodation, please email hrteam@cifar.ca and include the term ‘Accessibility’ in the Subject Line, or call 416-971-4251. Please provide your name, preferred contact method, and a detailed description of the nature of any accommodation that you may require. Please include any materials or processes that may be used to ensure your equal participation.

CIFAR frequently communicates in both official languages and our preference is to hire employees who are fluent in both English and French where possible. Other languages are also considered an asset. For a French version of the job posting, please visit www.cifar.ca.

CIFAR is supported by the governments of Canada, Alberta, and Quebec, as well as international partner organizations, individuals, foundations, and corporations.