Finance Specialist

You are as unique as your background, experience and point of view. Here, you’ll be encouraged, empowered and challenged to be your best self. You'll work with dynamic colleagues - experts in their fields - who are eager to share their knowledge with you. Your leaders will inspire and help you reach your potential and soar to new heights. Every day, you'll have new and exciting opportunities to make life brighter for our Clients - who are at the heart of everything we do.

At Sun Life, we're driven by our Purpose: helping our Clients achieve lifetime financial security and live healthier lives. Our values shape how we work: caring, authentic, bold, inspiring, and impactful.

When you join Sun Life, you'll work with passionate colleagues and empowering leaders who support your growth and celebrate your contributions, so you can make a meaningful difference in our Clients' lives.

Discover how you can make a difference in the lives of individuals, families and communities around the world.

Job Description:

The Finance Specialist is responsible for providing financial accounting, reporting, compliance, controls, and operational finance support to Sun Life Foundation. The role ensures accurate financial records, timely reporting, regulatory compliance, effective internal controls, and sound stewardship of Foundation assets and donor funds. Working closely with Foundation leadership, SLOCPI Finance and Finance stakeholders, auditors, regulators, and external partners, the position supports financial decision-making, governance requirements, partner funding oversight, continuous improvement initiatives, and broader Finance priorities while promoting accountability, sustainability, and operational excellence.

Major accountabilities

Financial Operations, Accounting, Treasury & Donation Administration (30%)

• •Manage day-to-day accounting, treasury, and financial administration activities, including processing financial transactions, maintaining banking documentation, monitoring cash balances, and ensuring complete and accurate financial records.
• •Prepare and maintain account reconciliations, accounting schedules, transaction logs, and supporting documentation to facilitate financial reporting, audits, regulatory compliance, and effective financial governance.
• •Support monthly, quarterly, and annual financial close activities, including analysis of account balances, investigation of reconciling items, and coordination with Finance stakeholders to maintain reporting integrity.
• •Ensure accurate accounting treatment, recording, administration, and stewardship of donations, grants, donor funds, and other Foundation transactions, including compliance with donor restrictions and approved funding purposes.
• •Ensure compliance with Finance policies, accounting standards, regulatory requirements, and reporting guidelines, while supporting donor engagements, Foundation activities, and other operational finance requirements as assigned.

Financial Reporting and Budget Management (20%)

• •Prepare financial and management reports, analyses, reconciliations, and schedules to support management, Board, donor, regulatory, and audit requirements.
• •Support budgeting, forecasting, financial planning, and strategic decision-making through timely financial analysis and insights.
• •Monitor financial performance against approved budgets and provide variance analyses and recommendations.
• •Prepare financial information required for management reviews, Board reporting, and donor stewardship requirements.
• •Identify financial trends, risks, opportunities, and emerging issues requiring management attention and appropriate action.

Partner Funding and Grant Stewardship (20%)

• •Review financial aspects of program proposals, partner funding requests, and grant budgets to assess reasonableness, financial viability, and compliance with approved funding arrangements.
• •Monitor utilization of grants and project funds and provide recommendations on budget performance and funding utilization.
• •Evaluate project expenditures, review supporting documentation, and validate compliance with approved budgets and donor requirements.
• •Coordinate with partner organizations on financial matters, including funding discussions, clarifications, and resolution of financial issues.
• •Participate in partner visits and perform financial reviews, validation procedures, and funding compliance assessments as necessary.
• •Support Foundation-related initiatives and activities beyond core finance operations.

Financial Regulatory Compliance and Audit Support (15%)

• •Maintain compliance with applicable accounting, tax, regulatory, and statutory requirements and ensure timely completion of required submissions.
• •Maintain books of accounts, supporting records, and compliance documentation in accordance with Foundation policies and regulatory requirements.
• •Prepare schedules, reconciliations, and supporting documentation required for internal and external audits.
• •Coordinate with auditors, regulators, and internal stakeholders to address information requests and reporting requirements.
• •Monitor compliance obligations, identify potential risks, and escalate issues requiring management attention.

Internal Controls and Risk Management (10%)

• •Maintain and strengthen financial controls, policies, and procedures to safeguard Foundation assets and resources.
• •Document finance processes and support implementation of audit recommendations, corrective actions, and business continuity requirements.
• •Identify opportunities to improve, standardize, and automate finance processes to enhance efficiency and reduce operational risk.
• •Maintain process documentation and knowledge repositories to strengthen business continuity, support cross-training, reduce key-person dependency, and facilitate transition of selected outsourced activities where appropriate.
• •Participate in broader Finance initiatives, system enhancements, automation opportunities, and process improvement projects that support capability development and organizational priorities.

Specialized knowledge

Core Professional / Technical Competencies Required

University degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related discipline; CPA qualification is an advantage.

Strong knowledge of financial accounting, financial reporting, and account reconciliation processes.

Knowledge of applicable accounting standards, tax regulations, and statutory reporting requirements.

Experience in budgeting, forecasting, financial analysis, and management reporting.

Familiarity with grant, donor, or fund accounting principles is an advantage.

Experience in account reconciliations, financial close activities, and preparation of management and regulatory reporting deliverables.

Experience supporting internal and external audits, regulatory reporting, and compliance activities.

Proficiency in Microsoft Excel and financial data analysis.

Knowledge of process improvement, controls enhancement, and finance automation opportunities.

Core Soft / Transferable Competencies Required

High level of integrity, accountability, and professional judgment.

Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.

Ability to work independently while collaborating effectively across teams.

Strong verbal and written communication skills.

Effective stakeholder management and business partnering capabilities.

Ability to manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines in a dynamic environment.

Continuous improvement mindset with focus on operational efficiency and controls.

Commitment to stewardship and responsible management of financial resources.

Problem solving

Investigating and resolving accounting discrepancies, reconciliation differences, and reporting issues within prescribed timelines.

Assessing the financial and compliance implications of transactions, funding arrangements, and proposed expenditures.

Balancing competing deadlines involving financia