*** INSTRUCTIONS TO APPLY: Please send a current resume and cover letter (as one document) to nature@nsnt.ca by August 15, 2025. Please clearly specify experience related to the Nature Trust’s needs, why you’d like to work with the Nature Trust and why you believe you’re a good fit with our organization.

Part-time Controller Position

The Nova Scotia Nature Trust seeks a Controller to oversee all aspects of finance and accounting and work with our Executive Director to ensure our organization’s financial health, compliance and strategic financial planning. This role requires an experienced professional who can navigate a complex financial environment with integrity and strategic foresight.

Join a passionate, collaborative team making a tangible impact on conservation in Nova Scotia, protecting the province’s most ecologically significant and unique lands as a natural legacy for generations to come. The Nature Trust is a sector leader in Canada, a highly professional, mature, well-respected organization with a 30-year track record of achievement, strong financial health, an exceptional and passionate staff team of 20+ and an effective governance Board.

Key Responsibilities

·      Oversee financial planning, growth and management of the organization’s finances and assets

·      Lead full-cycle accounting operations, cash flow, payroll, benefits, receipting, financial reporting, audit and tax filings (Canadian Charity return, HST/PSB returns, U.S. form 990)

·      Oversee risk management, financial controls, policies and procedures

·      Support creation and management of operating and capital budgets ($6-8M) and growth strategies

·      Monitor and oversee financial and asset management ($72 million in assets)

·      Ensure compliance with legal, statutory and regulatory requirements and GAAP

·      Supervise/oversee bookkeeper

·      Provide support and guidance to the Executive Director, Board, Finance and Investment committees as required

Requirements

·      Bachelor’s degree in accounting, finance, or related field; CPA or MBA preferred

·      Minimum of 7 years of accounting experience including experience in a complex financial environment,  including work in a senior role and at least 2 years in a nonprofit/charity setting

·      Strong knowledge of GAAP and fund accounting principles

·      Proficiency in financial software (e.g. QuickBooks) and advanced spreadsheet skills

·      Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and communication skills and ability to improve processes

·      Supervisory experience

·      A passion for nature and nature conservation/belief in the mission of the Nature Trust

·      Other desirable assets: experience with accounting specific to land trusts/land conservation, investment tracking/reporting, life insurance and other types of planned giving and filing U.S. and Canadian charity tax returns

Working Arrangements

Compensation is competitive and commensurate with experience. A detailed hourly rate or fee structure will be discussed with shortlisted candidates. This part-time position may be structured either as an employee or self-employed contractor arrangement and  may be office-based (downtown Dartmouth), fully remote or hybrid.

Nature Trust employees enjoy a range of perks and benefits including professional development/learning allowance, generous vacation and leave, health and wellness, Nature Days with the team, RRSP match, and flexible work arrangements/hours.

The role will start immediately, working alongside our long-time Controller ( 8-10 hours/month), moving towards 12-14 hours monthly plus 170—180 additional hours annually (audit, tax filings etc.) upon his retirement in December 2025.

Working with the Nature Trust

The Nature Trust fosters a respectful, welcoming, flexible, and collaborative work environment. We value integrity, transparency, and sustainability—not only in our conservation efforts but also in how we work together as a team. You’ll join a committed group of professionals who support one another and share a deep passion for environmental stewardship. We welcome applications from all qualified candidates, including Indigenous persons, under-represented peoples, people of any sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression, visible minorities, racialized people, and people with disabilities.

To apply

Please send a current resume and cover letter (as one document) to nature@nsnt.ca by August 15, 2025. Please clearly specify experience related to the Nature Trust’s needs, why you’d like to work with the Nature Trust and why you believe you’re a good fit with our organization.

For more information, please visit https://nsnt.ca/employment/.

The Nature Trust’s latest audited financial statements

Nova Scotia Nature TrustController (Job Description) Roles and Responsibilities

Reporting to and working closely with the Executive Director, the Controller is responsible for overseeing all aspects of finance and accounting for the Nature Trust, working closely with the Executive Director to ensure financial health, compliance and strategic financial planning.

Financial

·      In collaboration with the Executive Director, oversee financial planning, growth and management of the organization’s finances and assets

·      Develop and maintain robust financial controls, policies and procedures to safeguard the organization’s assets and ensure compliance

·      Oversee and assist the finance team in ensuring appropriate and timely accounting, financial tracking, payments and receipting

·      Oversee payroll and benefits programs

·      Oversee charitable tax filings and reporting (Canadian Charity return, HST/PSB returns, U.S. form 990)

·      Oversee preparation of the annual audit, liaison with the auditor

·      Monitor and manage the organization’s cash flow to ensure financial stability and agility

·      Oversee development and management of the organization’s operating and capital budgets ($6-8M) and growth strategies in coordination with the Executive Director

·      Ensure timely and appropriate financial reporting to the board and external funders and donors

·      Monitor and manage restricted and unrestricted funds, ensuring proper accounting and reporting

·      Support staff in grant budget tracking and reporting

·      Monitor and oversee financial and asset management ($72 million in assets)

·      Ensure the accuracy of all financial tracking and reporting

·      Oversee and work to improve/optimize finance/accounting processes and systems

·      Maintain relationships with and provide liaison with the organization’s financial institutions and investment managers

Human Resources

·      Supervise, manage and mentor the Bookkeeper

Policy and Planning

·      In collaboration with the Leadership Team, support the creation, implementation, review, evaluation and alignment of strategic and operational plans and priorities with financial considerations

·      Establish, monitor and support reporting on key indicators of the organization’s financial health

·      Ensure compliance with all relevant legal, statutory and regulatory requirements re finance function including adherence to Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) and non-profit/charity-specific accounting standards, and requirements for tax filings and audit.

·      Ensure adherence to high ethical standards and current best practices in all aspects of finance function

·      Monitor, report on, manage and mitigate internal and external risks relevant to finance

·      Analyze financial data to identify trends, variances, and opportunities for cost savings or revenue enhancement

·      Provide financial forecasts and other data to support strategic decision-making

·      Oversee special projects and initiatives re the finance function

Board/Executive Director Responsibilities

·      Support the Executive Director in the leadership and management of the Nature Trust and reaching the organization’s strategic and operation plans and goals, and in providing financial guidance and support to the board

·      Serve as an ex-officio non-voting member of the finance and investment committees and provide support as required

Other responsibilities as required