ABOUT US

CUPE Local 15, also known as the Vancouver Municipal, Education and Community Workers’ Union (VMECW), is the largest local of the Canadian Union of Public Employees in British Columbia. With more than 9,000 members, CUPE Local 15 has a substantial operation that includes a budget in the millions, a three-story building, and a sizable staff complement. CUPE Local 15’s members provide public services to some of the largest public and non-profit employers in the Metro Vancouver Region, including the City of Vancouver, Vancouver School Board, Langara College, Emily Carr University of Art and Design, Vancouver Coastal Health, Vancouver Art Gallery, and a number of other museums and non-profit organizations.

CUPE Local 15’s staff complement includes labour relations professionals who support members with bargaining, grievance handling and other connected work, plus a dedicated group of administrative professional staff who provide the clerical, support, accounting, and bookkeeping work that ensure the Union functions effectively. Together, these staff support an elected Executive Board consisting of two full-time officers, and a range of part-time and volunteer positions. In addition, the Union supports nearly 100 stewards that provide ground-level representation and support to members directly, and who are supported by CUPE Local 15 staff and elected officials.

Staff at CUPE Local 15 are members of the BC Union Workers’ Union (BCUWU), and the collective agreement between CUPE Local 15 and BCUWU can be found here.

ABOUT YOU

CUPE Local 15 is seeking a highly qualified and experienced financial professional to serve as Accounting Coordinator. Bringing a mix of experience and education, you have substantial knowledge in day-to-day bookkeeping, and the capacity to execute mid to high-level accounting functions. Ideally, you have experience working in a team-based environment, and can also function in a self-directed manner that integrates your work into the broader dynamic and diverse structure of the Union. Experience processing a range of financial transactions; overseeing, implementing and evolving financial controls; working with auditors; working with financial institutions; and processing payroll using accounting software will all be part of your work history. You would further distinguish yourself as a candidate if your background included experience working under an elected board, experience in the not-for-profit sector, familiarity or experience with the labour movement, and a formal accounting designation (diploma or degree).

ABOUT THE POSITION

The Accounting Coordinator is the engine of CUPE Local 15’s financial operations. The position works with Office Assistants and Bookkeeping Assistants to process the necessary materials and supports for financial transactions and controls, and works with the elected, full-time Secretary-Treasurer, who approves disbursements, oversees controls, and provides broad direction. Financial reporting is undertaken cooperatively between you and the Secretary-Treasurer. Like all other positions, the Accounting Coordinator reports to the elected President of CUPE Local 15.

Major financial work is consistent with that of a typical large non-profit organization that owns and operates its own office building, plus such unique operations as the disbursements and reconciliations for members who are booked off and whose wages and expenses are covered by CUPE Local 15. Additionally, CUPE Local 15’s operations include a non-profit society which exists to own its building and capital assets, and accounting work is undertaken for both CUPE Local 15 and its society, including the interactions between the two entities. The Accounting Coordinator plays a substantial role in facilitating the development of the annual budgets, and works directly with the President, Secretary-Treasurer, and Finance Committee on budget development and other financial matters across the year. As such, there are opportunities for mentorship, teaching, and engagement.

CUPE Local 15 is audited each year by an external firm, and has a system of internal review by members serving as Trustees—the Accounting Coordinator has a supporting and enabling role in each of these processes. Further, the position is a key contact with several credit unions at which CUPE Local 15 banks, and is the central point of contact for vendors and others from whom the Union obtains external services and supports. Together with the Office Manager, the Accounting Coordinator also provides general support for the smooth and effective running of the office and facility, which includes liaising with contractors and maintenance staff, overseeing information technology repairs and upgrades, and supporting other staff in their work.

By helping CUPE Local 15 to operate effectively and efficiently, you will help ensure the Union uses its resources to their greatest effect for the betterment of the workers it represents. Through this, you will make a substantial contribution to supporting the people who provide the public services Lower Mainland families rely on. More specific to the position, you will have the opportunity to grow in the role, develop new skills and abilities, and to evolve the operational elements of the work to improve controls, systems, and outcomes.

ABOUT THE COMPENSATION AND WORKING ENVIRONMENT

The position is scheduled for a four-day workweek of 33 hours per week at $56.42 per hour to start, advancing to $58.45 per hour upon successful completion of the probationary period. Additional hours are added to each bi-weekly pay to compensate for statutory holidays, which are taken as days off without pay as part of the four-day workweek model, and paid out proportionally with each regular paycheque.

The position comes with a full suite of benefits, including extended health and dental, pension, savings plan, group life benefits, fitness benefits, and transportation benefits. Vacation entitlement begins at 140 hours per year after your first year of work, and increases to a maximum of 280 hours per year. In addition to regular vacation time, personal leave, and supplementary vacation provide for additional work-life balance.

The CUPE Local 15 building is located at 545 West 10th Avenue in Vancouver. This is just steps away from City Hall, the Canada Line Broadway-City Hall Station, and in 2027, the new Subway Station at Cambie and Broadway. The office offers all of the conventional comforts and functionality of a well-equipped workspace. The neighbourhood is rich in amenities for lunch, recreation, or convenience. The position includes free onsite parking.

JOB DESCRIPTION AND QUALIFICATIONS

A summary of key elements is as follows, and a full copy of the job description is available upon request.

Basic Duties

• Processing payroll, tracking and monitoring all associated accruals, issuing disbursements for payroll-related benefits and costs, ensuring timely payments to CRA and other such entities, and overseeing benefit enrolments;
• Performing regular and ongoing bookkeeping duties including, but not limited to, entering all transactions into the books, maintaining accounts payable and receivable records, recording and making deposits, preparing disbursements, processing invoices, managing credit card accounts, making adjusting entries, and managing any petty cash;
• Applying and undertaking regular financial controls including, but not limited to, regularly running trial balances, undertaking monthly bank reconciliations, engaging signing officers in oversight duties, securing signing officer approval for necessary transactions, ensuring appropriate segregation of duties, maintaining accurate and appropriate financial records, and using secure custody of records and assets;
• Assisting in the preparation of the annual budget through supports such as providing accurate financial data on revenues and expenses, developing forecasts of revenue and expense fluctuations, recommending capital budget considerations, providing general and specific advice on financial matters, and assisting elected officials to make informed decisions;
• Assisting with the management of investment and holdings, providing advice on investment terms and formats, and related financial products and services, in addition to serving as a key contact with financial institutions;
• Providing regular reporting on financial matters to inform decision-making and to support transparency, accountability, and good financial controls; and
• Together with other office staff, assists in the effective and efficient running of the CUPE Local 15 office, including in relation to building maintenance oversight, information technology, capital equipment maintenance and repair, and other such matters.
  

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Qualifications

A summary of the requirements of the position is as follows:

• Knowledge of payroll and accounting methods, procedures, rules, and regulations sufficient to carry out the duties of the position;
• Knowledge of credit union and investment practices and procedures sufficient to maintain accounts and assist in the maintenance of investments;
• Ability to check timesheets, make calculations, process reconciliations, prepare payroll deductions, paycheques, and reports, while maintaining related records and statistics;
• Ability to prepare a variety of statements and summaries, as well as assisting in the preparation of budgets;
• Ability to maintain accounts receivable and accounts payable records, to control and balance accounts and to check invoices and process payments;
• Ability to operate a personal computer and use financial software to maintain records and accounts and to print reports, use spreadsheet software to prepare statements and summaries, and use word processing software to produce memos, letters, and invoices;
• Ability to effectively discuss payroll, investment, and accounting matters with a variety of internal and external contacts and to attend and participate in meetings;
• Ability to operate a variety of office equipment such as printers, calculators, and photocopiers.
• Completion of secondary school or equivalent, plus not less than four years related experience, or equivalent combination of education, training and experience with respect to the duties of the position.