FINCAD, a leading provider of innovative derivative valuation and risk management solutions, has been selected as one of BC's Top Employers for 2016. Organized by the editors of Canada’s Top 100 Employers, the competition recognizes British Columbia employers that lead the way in offering exceptional places to work.
FINCAD has been recognized as one of BC’s Top Employers for the seventh time, and you may be wondering, what makes FINCAD so special? Well, for starters, we’re an innovative industry leader in one of the fastest-growing areas of finance with offices in Surrey, London, Dublin, and New York. We play in the complex, constantly evolving world of financial derivatives. What this means for our employees (who we call “Fincadians”) is that they get to solve current, complex, and interesting problems that give them numerous opportunities to grow professionally and learn something new. When I ask Fincadians why they love their job, I usually hear that they are proud to be contributing to something that matters and makes a direct impact.
Even with almost 120 employees worldwide and 80 employees in our Surrey headquarters, our corporate culture is like that of a smaller office – tight-knit, friendly and collaborative. We value our employees’ diverse viewpoints and encourage them to share their opinions. We also work to foster a team-oriented spirit in all our offices and give Fincadians opportunities to mingle and get to know each other personally and professionally. One unique thing we do is hold an annual celebration for FINCAD’s birthday. On this day, Fincadians are treated to a special outing. Last year was a big milestone for FINCAD as we celebrated turning 25! Each office celebrated in style, including a lunch on a sunny patio by the water for the Surrey office, a tour of the Guinness factory for the Dublin team, a Mets game for the folks in NY, and the London office enjoyed a nice meal on the banks of the River Thames.
At FINCAD, we strive to convey to our employees that we truly value and appreciate them. We like to think of ourselves as a caring employer. We know that Fincadians work hard so we want to make sure they have the time they need to recharge and refocus, which is why we offer a generous vacation policy. On a personal note, this is my favorite perk about working at FINCAD since it gives me the opportunity to satisfy my love for travel! We also get that life happens and we do our best to support our people through the challenges of balancing their personal and professional lives.
Another core focus at FINCAD is professional development. For us to keep growing as a company, we need to support professional and personal growth for everyone who works here. Fincadians meet with their managers to address any areas they’d like to develop, as well as to discuss a path for career growth. A plan for development might include taking on new and challenging projects, preparing for a professional designation, or attending a course or conference.
As a company, FINCAD also prioritizes giving back to our local and global community through initiatives such as the FINCAD HOPE (Helping Other People Effectively) program. This is a volunteer, employee-led group that focuses on activities such as fund raising, community clean-up, blood donation, etc. One great example of FINCAD HOPE in action occurred during the 2015 holiday season. Fincadians rolled up their sleeves and helped out with the Surrey Christmas Bureau’s annual Adopt-A-Family program by raising funds, shopping for and wrapping gifts, and assembling and delivering gift baskets. As a result, 12 local families enjoyed a happier Christmas. In addition, to encourage Fincadians to give back to charities that matter to them, employees are given two paid days off per year to volunteer at the charity of their choice.
Everything I mentioned above wouldn’t be possible if it wasn’t for a CEO who truly cares. It’s important to our CEO, Bob Park, one of the co-founders of the company, to ensure that all Fincadians share the company’s and his values. To confirm that they are truly the right fit, Bob meets with each and every final candidate before they join FINCAD. I am proud to say that we’ve created a culture where everyone shares the same values and I truly enjoy coming to work every day.
Does FINCAD sound like a place you’d be interested in growing your own career? If so, be sure to check out our open employment opportunities today and learn more about what it’s like to work at FINCAD.