Controller
Cook’s Ferry Indian Band
Merritt & Spences Bridge, British Columbia
The Cook’s Ferry Indian Band is a Nlaka’pamux Nation located in the scenic Thompson River Valley of British Columbia. With a strong connection to land, culture, and community well-being, the Band is committed to responsible governance and the effective delivery of programs and services to its members.
Cook’s Ferry Indian Band is seeking a Controller to lead and strengthen the Band’s financial operations. Reporting to the Chief Administrative Officer (CAO), this senior, hands-on role oversees financial management, reporting, audit preparation, and compliance. The Controller works closely with the CAO and Chief and Council to support strong financial stewardship and organizational accountability, and functions as the senior financial role within the Band administration.
Key Responsibilities
The Controller oversees the Band’s day-to-day financial operations, ensuring timely and accurate financial reporting to the CAO and Chief and Council to support informed decision-making and financial governance.
Responsibilities include overseeing the full accounting cycle, preparing and monitoring annual and multi-year budgets, managing cash flow, and ensuring compliance with the Band’s Financial Administration Law (FAL), First Nations Financial Management Board (FMB) standards, and applicable federal and provincial legislation.
The Controller leads the annual audit process, prepares year-end schedules and documentation, and works closely with external auditors. The role also monitors government funding agreements and supports reporting to federal and provincial funders.
A key responsibility of the role is strengthening financial controls, improving financial processes, and developing standard operating procedures that support effective financial management across the organization. The Controller supervises finance staff and contributes to improving financial systems and processes, including the use of Sage 50.
The Ideal Candidate
You are an experienced financial professional with strong accounting expertise and sound judgment. You are comfortable working in both strategic and hands-on financial roles and have experience overseeing audits, budgets, financial reporting, and internal controls.
You hold a Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA) designation and a degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field, along with a minimum of five years of progressive financial management experience. You have a strong understanding of Canadian accounting standards such as ASPE or PSAS.
Experience working in a First Nations administration or Indigenous non-profit organization is required, including experience managing government funding agreements and related financial reporting.
Strong communication, organizational, and leadership skills are essential. Proficiency with Sage 50 or similar accounting systems and knowledge of Nlaka’pamux culture or language are considered assets.
Compensation & Benefits
The salary range for this position is $95,000–$120,000, commensurate with education and experience. Cook’s Ferry Indian Band offers four weeks vacation, including a two-week Christmas office closure, 13 paid statutory holidays, health and dental benefits, an employer-matched pension plan, and paid professional fees.
The Location
This position is based in Merritt and Spences Bridge, British Columbia, with the primary office located in Merritt and regular travel to Spences Bridge, typically one day per week. The Nicola Valley offers an excellent quality of life with access to outdoor recreation and natural beauty while remaining within driving distance of Kamloops, Kelowna, and the Lower Mainland.
Connect with Us
Cook’s Ferry Indian Band is partnering with WMC to support this recruitment. If you are interested in contributing your financial expertise to a community-focused organization grounded in Nlaka’pamux values, we invite you to apply.
Please submit your resume and cover letter, in confidence, here within.
For more information, please contact Max Mollineaux at WMC at maxm @ wmc.bc.ca.
To learn more about Cook’s Ferry Indian Band and its community, please visit https://cooksferry.ca.
In accordance with Section 16(1) of the Canadian Human Rights Act, preference may be given to First Nation candidates.