Finance Director

Deadline for applicants: June 30, 2026

 Job Type: Full-time permanent

Job Category: Finance and Accounting

Location: 128 Sterling Road, Toronto

Year(s) of Experience: 7+

Salary: The salary for this position begins at $80,000 and will be determined based on experience.

House of Anansi Press and Groundwood Books is seeking a candidate to fill the position of Finance Director.

Who We Are

House of Anansi Press is Canada’s leading independent publisher. We specialize in finding, developing, and publishing writers of literary fiction, nonfiction, poetry, and drama, as well as works in translation. Groundwood Books was founded in 1978 with a mandate to publish children’s books of the highest possible quality for all ages, which has grown to include fiction, picture books, graphic novels, and nonfiction.

We publish very good books, and we also like to think that our office is a very good place to work! We are a collaborative, collegial team, passionate about our creators and the stories we publish. We also value work-life balance, having fun, and celebrating all things books. We have a lunch club with rotating themes, enjoy “Summer Friday” work hours during the warmer months, and love book launches almost as much as we love books.

Role Summary

We are looking for a Finance Director to lead and manage the accounting and financial reporting functions of our company. We expect the person in this role to be forward thinking regarding accounting processes to support the company’s goals, encourage and empower the team, and be a strategic finance partner to the management team. The Finance Director reports to the Publishers and works closely with the Accounting Associate.

Responsibilities

Functional Oversight

• Manage the general ledger and supervise the company’s accounting and financial reporting functions, ensuring timely and accurate recording and reconciliation of revenue and expenses across the company and by third-party providers, and producing monthly financial statements.
• Maintain and improve the company’s accounting and control systems, by entity and on a consolidated basis, developing expertise in the optimal use of Acumen Book accounting software, and ensuring information is integrated and consistent across Acumen and the company’s other supporting systems.
• Control, report and forecast the company’s cash position and financial flows through multiple payment systems and bank accounts.
• Manage relationship with our bank and oversee transition to increased digital banking.
• Update documentation of Finance department processes and controls as they evolve.

Financial Reporting

• Prepare annual budgets and revised forecasts as needed, in consultation with budgetary managers; provide variance analysis on actuals vs budgets, revised forecasts and prior years.
• Provide data and financial information for grant applications, tax credit applications and business development opportunities, and other analysis and modelling as needed.

Tax & Compliance

• Support the company’s external audit team with timely preparation of information.
• Ensure compliance with applicable federal and provincial tax requirements, including employer taxes and HST/GST.

Finance Partner

• Facilitate communication and collaboration among all departments on finance and accounting matters; anticipate and problem-solve related issues; champion and support evolving processes to ensure a cohesive approach across the departments that streamlines workflow and optimizes efforts.
• Mentor and support the Accounting Manager as well as other staff in the financial management aspects of their roles.

Requirements

Essential skills and experience:

• 7+ years accounting experience as Controller or Accounting Associate in a reasonably complex business
• Bachelor’s degree or diploma in accounting or a substantially equivalent course of study
• Excellent knowledge of business and accounting practices, including financial budgeting and forecasting, and professional accounting terminology, techniques, theories and principles
• Advanced skills in Microsoft Excel are essential for this role –– must be able to easily handle large volumes of data and use advanced formulas/pivot tables/v- and h-lookups, etc.
• Proven managerial skill and the ability to communicate effectively with in-house staff and out-of-house partners
• Highly organized with an ability to prioritize, plan and execute multiple projects and deadlines
• Comfort with learning new technology and systems
• Impeccable attention to detail and level of accuracy
• Comfort with identifying issues and facilitating solutions and resolutions

Desirable but not essential skills:

• Proficiency with Acumen and/or royalty software
• Experience in the book publishing industry or logistics or distribution
• Experience with Microsoft Power BI

Compensation and Location

The salary for this full-time position begins at $80,000 and will be determined based on experience –– please share your salary expectations via the field provided in our job application portal. We also offer additional remuneration in the form of a discretionary bonus/variable pay when we achieve our annual financial goals. A benefits package and RRSP matching plan is accessible after a three-month probationary period.

We are interested in hearing from applicants who are available to join us a minimum of 3 days a week in our Toronto office, with the remaining day(s) being a flexible/hybrid/remote option, particularly once well-established in the role.

Application

We pride ourselves on the range of voices represented in our publishing list and seek to reflect that diversity in our staff. We recognize that an inclusive workplace is essential to promoting excellence and allowing all staff to reach their greatest potential. We will ensure that every job applicant is treated fairly in respect to race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status, age, physical ability, neurodiversity, religious belief, educational background, geographical location, marital status, and parental status. We are committed to providing reasonable accommodations throughout the application process and while working at Anansi and Groundwood.

Interested candidates should send a cover letter and resume via this link by June 30, 2026.

We thank all applicants for their interest and regret that we are unable to acknowledge receipt of applications. Only those candidates selected for an interview will be contacted.