Village of Burns Lake
Director of Financial Services
POSITION POSTING
Burns Lake, British Columbia
About the Village of Burns Lake
The Village of Burns Lake is a vibrant small municipality located in BC's Lakes District, midway between Prince George and Smithers along Highway 16. With a municipal population of approximately 1,800 and a regional service area of over 8,000 residents, Burns Lake is the commercial, service, and recreational hub of the Lakes District.
The Village is a dynamic and growing organization. Current and emerging priorities include the operationalization of the Burns Lake Venture Corp., a municipally-owned corporation established to advance housing and commercial development; significant housing initiatives including the Village Heights subdivision and partnerships with regional developers; major infrastructure investment driven by industrial projects including the BC Hydro North Coast Transmission Line and Coastal Gas Link; and a growing portfolio of intergovernmental and Indigenous partnership initiatives. The Director of Financial Services will play a central role in supporting and enabling this agenda.
The Opportunity
The Village of Burns Lake is seeking an experienced and capable Director of Financial Services to serve as the chief financial adviser to the CAO and Council and to manage all aspects of the Village's financial operations. This is a senior exempt position with broad responsibilities, high visibility, and the opportunity to contribute directly to the financial health and strategic direction of the community.
The successful candidate will bring professional financial management expertise, sound judgment, and a collaborative leadership style to a role that sits at the heart of the organization. This is not a back-office position: the Director of Financial Services is a key member of the management team, a trusted adviser to elected officials, and an important voice in the Village's planning and decision-making processes.
Key Responsibilities
Reporting to the Chief Administrative Officer, the Director of Financial Services will be responsible for:
Financial Management and Reporting
- Directing all aspects of the Village's financial operations, including accounting, budgeting, payroll, investment, and insurance programs.
- Preparing and managing the annual financial plan and five-year capital plan for Council's consideration and adoption.
- Preparing comprehensive financial statements and reports for Council, the CAO, and the Inspector of Municipalities.
- Managing the annual audit process and serving as the primary liaison with external auditors.
- Maintaining the Citywide Asset Management System and supporting the development of the Village's long-term asset management strategy.
Statutory Compliance and Administration
- Ensuring compliance with all statutory financial requirements under the Community Charter and Local Government Act, including adoption of the annual property value tax bylaw and submission of financial reports to the Ministry of Municipal Affairs.
- Recommending bylaws and resolutions to the CAO relating to expenditures, revenues, tax levies, and other fiscal matters.
- Providing all departments with the financial information, training, and resources required to effectively manage their budgets.
Leadership and CAO Support
- Serving as the chief financial adviser to the CAO and Council on all financial matters.
- In the absence of the CAO, providing supervision and direction to all departments and attending Council meetings as required.
- Recruiting, supervising, and supporting Finance department staff.
- Conferring with representatives of neighbouring municipalities, the Regional District of Bulkley-Nechako, and the provincial government on financial and administrative matters.
Venture Corp. and Strategic Initiatives Support
- Supporting the CAO in the financial planning and oversight of the Burns Lake Venture Corp. and related housing and commercial development initiatives.
- Contributing financial analysis and advice to support the Village's broader strategic and economic development agenda.
Qualifications
Required
- CPA designation (CPA, CA, CGA, or CMA), or CPA-in-progress with a clear completion timeline, or equivalent experience. Candidates without a CPA designation who hold a minimum of seven (7) years of senior financial management experience in a public sector or comparable setting may also be considered.
- Demonstrated experience in financial management, including budget preparation, financial reporting, and statutory compliance.
- Proven ability to manage multiple responsibilities with a high degree of independence and professionalism.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills, including experience preparing reports for elected officials or boards.
- Supervisory or team leadership experience.
Preferred
- Municipal or local government finance experience and familiarity with the Community Charter and Local Government Act.
- Experience with municipal financial software and asset management systems.
- Experience in northern or rural British Columbia is an asset.
- Experience supporting economic development, land development, or municipal corporate entities is an asset.
Compensation and Benefits
Salary | $115,000 - $130,000 |
Vacation | Four weeks paid vacation to start, in accordance with the Village's exempt employee policy. |
Pension | Enrollment in the Municipal Pension Plan of BC. |
Benefits | Comprehensive extended health, dental, and vision benefits package. |
Professional Development | Support for ongoing professional development, including relevant training, conferences, and association memberships. |
Relocation Assistance | Relocation assistance is available for candidates relocating from outside the region. Details to be confirmed during the offer process. |
Work Location | This is a full-time, permanent, on-site position. The Director of Financial Services is required to reside in or within a reasonable commuting distance of Burns Lake. |
Life in Burns Lake
Burns Lake and the Lakes District offer an exceptional quality of life for those who love the outdoors and the pace of a genuine small-town community. The area boasts over 5,000 km of shoreline, outstanding fishing, boating, kayaking, mountain biking, snowshoeing, and cross-country skiing. The Boer Mountain Recreation Site, just minutes from downtown, is a favourite of cyclists and hikers year-round. Burns Lake has quality schools, reliable healthcare, and everyday amenities, and is within driving distance of Smithers and Prince George for additional services.
Housing in Burns Lake is significantly more affordable than in most BC communities, with homeownership well within reach. The community is welcoming and close-knit, and the opportunity to make a meaningful contribution to a place this size is something that urban centres simply cannot offer.
We encourage candidates considering this opportunity to visit burnslake.ca and the Burns Lake and Lakes District YouTube channel to get a feel for what this community has to offer.
How to Apply
Qualified candidates are invited to submit a resume, cover letter, and the names and contact information of two professional references to:
Laina Helgesen, Corporate Officer
Village of Burns Lake
corporate@burnslake.ca
Subject line: Director of Financial Services Application
Applications will be reviewed commencing May 19th, 2026. The position will remain open until a suitable candidate is selected. Early application is encouraged.
We thank all applicants for their interest in this position. Only those selected for an interview will be contacted.
The Village of Burns Lake is an equal opportunity employer and encourages applications from all qualified individuals, including Indigenous peoples.
