Chief Financial Officer

About Lysander Funds Limited: Lysander is a successful independent Investment Fund Manager headquartered in Toronto with regional offices in Montréal and Vancouver. We offer investment products to investment and mutual fund advisors and their clients with the aim of helping investors reach their long-term financial goals. We have an entrepreneurial culture that values hard work, honesty, and flexibility.

Role Overview

We are seeking a senior executive who will be responsible for managing and leading the Finance function at Lysander and financial oversight of the firm’s mutual funds and pooled funds. As part of the Lysander’s executive leadership team, the CFO, working with other C-suite executives, will be an integral part of managing the firm’s business and growth.

This role combines both the traits of a strategic leader and a hands-on operator. The CFO will manage Lysander’s Finance team and will also have regular interaction with Lysander’s Board of Directors and various board and management committees.

Key Responsibilities

Financial Reporting and controls

• Responsible for all aspects of Lysander’s financial reporting, accounting and tax functions including the selection and application of accounting policies, controls, forecasting, budgeting and planning.
• Responsible for the firm’s expenses, cash management and banking processes.
• Provide financial insights and recommendations to the CEO and leadership team.
• Accountable for timely quarterly financial reporting and annual audit of financial statements.
• Develop and implement best practices, internal controls, risk monitoring and accounting tools to ensure a well-controlled yet flexible organization that has strong fiscal management and workflows.
• Lead and mentor the finance and accounting team.
• Responsibility for managing the firm’s compensation programs.
• Maintain and report accurate regulatory working capital calculations.
• Oversee all tax filings and payments (sales, payroll and corporate tax).
• Oversee the maintenance of robust documentation, including policies, procedures, and training materials.
• Ensure compliance with all applicable accounting, tax and regulatory legislation, including those set by the Ontario Securities Commission and provincial regulators.

Fund Financial Reporting and controls

• Ensure that the controls and procedures over funds’ financial statements enable reporting that is accurate and without misrepresentation.
• Oversee the preparation of interim fund financial statements, the audit of annual financial statements and ensuring timely regulatory filings.
• Implement and oversee the funds’ portfolio valuation policies.
• Implement and oversee the funds’ fair valuation policies.
• Oversight of fund controls and reconciliations including NAV calculations, fund expenses, trust account reconciliations, fee rebate programs, NAV error reports and annual unitholder tax reporting.
• Review internal controls reports of funds’ service providers to determine if the firm’s reliance on controls over financial reporting are appropriate.
• Liaise with key service providers relating to financial matters including engaging fund auditors.
• Work with the firm’s Operations and IT teams to oversee information technology that generates or houses the funds’ financial records.
• Ensure financial obligations of the funds under legislation including tax legislation are met.

Insurance and Corporate affairs

• Responsible for determining and managing business insurance requirements including Financial Institution Bond, Directors & Officers, Professional Liability, Fund operations.
• Ensure regulatory insurance filings are performed on a timely basis.
• Responsible for facilities management for the firm’s office space.

Vendor and Stakeholder Management

• Manage relationships with key vendors including corporate and fund auditors.
• Collaborate with Sales and Operations teams to optimize financial efficiency.
• Contracts and service agreement negotiations.
• Responsible for communications and interactions with tax authorities including CRA, Revenue Quebec and provincial governments.

Qualifications & Experience

Education:

• An undergraduate degree
• A CPA designation is required
• An MBA, CIM, CFA or CFP not required but beneficial

Experience:

• Minimum 15+ years experience in the investment management industry
• Proven track record of leading the Finance function of a fund investment manager and mutual funds
• Strong technical skills including IFRS knowledge
• Strong understanding of internal controls over financial reporting
• Understanding of Canadian taxes: income taxes, sales taxes and payroll taxes

Key Competencies

• Leadership & Initiative: A Finance executive who can design and drive solutions in a fast growing mutual fund business.
• Strategic Thinking: Balances immediate priorities with long-term risk mitigation and strategic objectives.
• Controls Mindset: Designs and implements robust internal controls for accurate financial reporting and underlying processes.
• Communication Skills: Excels at conveying financial concepts to non-technical audiences.
• Adaptability: Thrives in fast-paced environments and effectively handles shifting priorities.

We are committed to providing accommodations for people with disabilities in all aspects of the recruitment and selection process. If you require accommodation or special assistance, please send an email with your request to manager@lysanderfunds.com. Your information will be treated as confidential.