Forward Creative is dedicated to shaping a more prosperous future for Atlantic Canada. By partnering with governments, non-profits, and ambitious businesses, we tackle complex challenges and transform bold ideas into lasting change.

Our mission is simple but powerful: to empower our clients to be a force for good. We provide the strategy, the people, and the tools needed to bring high-impact projects to life. Creativity and courage fuel everything we dobecause that's what it takes to drive growth, improve quality of life, and build momentum toward a brighter tomorrow.

We act with intention, leading initiatives from infrastructure and economic development to organizational transformation. But we don't stop at strategy. Our work is grounded in a deep commitment to community well-being, uncompromising integrity, and a culture of inclusion.

At Forward Creative, we exist to turn vision into realityand to build a stronger future for Atlantic Canada, one initiative at a time.

We're hiring a CPA – Financial Team Lead to bring structure, clarity, and leadership to our internal and client-facing finance operations. From reviewing books and tax filings to guiding our bookkeeping team and advising clients, you'll help keep the numbers sharp and the systems running smoothly. This role is perfect for a CPA who loves to turn complexity into claritysomeone who's just as comfortable reviewing financial statements as they are streamlining a messy process or supporting a teammate. You'll lead with accuracy and insight, while keeping things practical, collaborative, and human. You'll shape systems, offer strategic guidance, and make sure the financial side of our work is built to support smart, sustainable growthfor us and for our clients.

Key Responsibilities:

Lead financial strategy both internally and for clients
Oversee day-to-day financial operations for Forward Creative, including bookkeeping, monthly closings, and reporting
Lead the review and finalization of financial records for client accounts, ensuring accuracy, compliance, and consistency
Manage and mentor a team of bookkeepers, ensuring quality control, support, and workflow efficiency
Oversee the preparation and filing of corporate and personal taxes, GST/HST, and payroll remittances (internal and client-side)
Provide financial consulting and analysis for clients, including forecasting, budgeting, and strategic insights
Support new client onboarding and system set-up (chart of accounts, software, file organization, cleanup if needed)
Create and maintain SOPs and internal systems to support team scaling and sustainable workflows
Coordinate with leadership on business planning, cash flow, and financial forecasting
Stay informed on Canadian accounting standards, CRA regulations, and tax planning opportunities
Lead or support CRA audits and communications when needed
Ensure all deadlines are met, all filings are submitted, and nothing falls through the cracks

Your Skills & Experience:

CPA designation in good standing (Canada)
5+ years experience in accounting, with a mix of public practice and in-house or client-based work
Strong knowledge of Canadian tax compliance (corporate, personal, HST/GST, payroll)
Proven experience managing a finance or accounting team
Proven experience working with municipalities, non-profits and businesses
Confident working in cloud-based accounting platforms (QuickBooks Online and ERP systems)
Proficient in Excel or Google Sheets for budgeting, forecasting, and data review
Strong communication skillsyou can translate financial info for clients and teammates alike
Detail-oriented with strong time and project management

What You Bring:

You're a strategic thinker with operational instinctsyou don't just fix problems, you prevent them
You care about clarityyou want clients and teammates to understand their finances
You're steady and accountableyou follow through and get things done
You're a systems-minded leaderyou think in processes, workflows, and sustainable improvements
You enjoy coaching and mentoringyou're here to help the team grow and succeed
You're calm under pressure and great at managing priorities without losing sight of the details
You believe financial systems should support creative and purpose-driven workyou're here to make it possible

Benefits:

Health and dental coverage
Paid sick leave
Vacation
Commission Opportunity
Bonus structure based on performance and impact

Growth & Learning:

Onboarding and coaching from senior team leads
Professional Development Hours (PDH)
Purpose-driven work across government, community, and business sectors

We are a high-performing team with real opportunity for leadership and impact.

Be part of a collaborative, future-focused environment.

Join Forward Creative Inc. today!

We are committed to providing an inclusive and accessible application process for all candidates. If you require any accommodations to participate in our application process, please reach out to us at careers@forwardcreative.ca. We are here to assist you and ensure that you have the best possible experience.

We acknowledge that we are in Mi'kma'ki, the ancestral and unceded territory of the Mi'kmaq People. This territory is covered by the Treaties of Peace and Friendship which Mi'kmaq and Wolastoqiyik (Maliseet) Peoples first signed with the British Crown in 1725. We are all Treaty people.

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Forward Creative Inc.

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Financial Team Lead