Director of Finance

Job description

DIRECTOR OF FINANCE TORONTO, IN-OFFICE | HIGH OWNERSHIP | BUILD FOR SCALE ABOUT US Who we are: We build technology that removes barriers blocking talent from opportunity, combining the latest advancements in AI with human judgment. How we expand access: Access isn't real if it's unaffordable. Through our sister company, Passage Funding, we provide financing for international students. What we believe: Access to opportunity should not be determined by geography, gender, or wealth. We reinvest a portion of our profits to support those cut off from education - including our Afghan program. Access is the product: We build AI that turns paperwork into decisions, and decisions into real outcomes. Our mission is bold but simple: by 2030, we aim to dismantle the barriers preventing brilliant minds from accessing the opportunities they deserve. WHO YOU ARE We’re looking for a Director of Finance with a CPA designation and a demonstrated history of owning the accounting and financial reporting function within a high-growth, VC-backed company. You likely began your career in public accounting (Manager+ level) and have since operated as a Controller within a scaling startup environment. You understand what strong financial infrastructure looks like and have successfully built and elevated reporting processes through periods of rapid growth. You are technically strong in IFRS and comfortable standing behind your financial statements. You are confident in leading audit processes, setting accounting policy, and ensuring financial reporting is accurate, timely, and decision-useful. You bring experience but remain hands-on. You are willing to review reconciliations, refine close processes, strengthen reporting models, and dive into operational detail when required. You lead from the front and take full ownership of outcomes. If you are motivated by accountability, precision, and building financial infrastructure that can support significant scale, we’d love to meet you. WHAT YOU WILL DO You will take full ownership of the finance and accounting function and ensure our financial foundation is built to support the next stage of growth. - Accounting & Financial reporting - Own the month-end, quarter-end, and year-end close processes - Prepare and oversee IFRS financial statements - Lead the external audit end-to-end - Establish and maintain robust accounting policies and documentation - Ensure accurate revenue recognition and accounting for complex transactions - Financial Infrastructure & Scale - Strengthen and scale financial processes to support rapid growth - Ensure integrity of core financial data and reporting systems - Oversee treasury, cash management, and working capital processes - Build scalable workflows that reduce risk and improve efficiency - Tax & Compliance - Oversee all corporate tax filings, including SR&ED, and compliance requirements - Coordinate with external advisors across jurisdictions - Reporting & Governance - Ensure board-ready financial reporting - Partner cross-functionally to uphold financial discipline across the organization - Support long-term financial readiness as the company scales QUALIFICATIONS - CPA designation (required) - 8–12 years of progressive accounting experience - Manager level audit experience (Big 4 preferred) - Prior Controller-level ownership within a VC-backed startup - Proven experience scaling accounting operations through rapid growth - Direct ownership of IFRS financial statements and external audit - Strong technical accounting knowledge and practical judgment - Ability to operate independently in a fast-paced, high-growth environment LOCATION Passage operates with an in-office working model. Candidates must be based in Toronto or open to relocating and working five days per week in our Toronto office. READY TO JOIN US? We are building a company designed to expand access to life-changing opportunities around the world. If you are excited about building systems, solving complex problems, and shaping how a company makes decisions, we would love to meet you. Note: Artificial intelligence may be used in the screening or assessment of applicants. If your experience does not match every requirement but you believe you can thrive in this role, we encourage you to apply. Compensation C$130K to C$175K+ and Offers Equity