Fintech Sage

Opportunity

Arts Pond is seeking volunteer Fintech Sage to help shape the next phase of Hatch Open, our open‑source arts management software platform (pre‑beta).

The Sage will serve as an on‑call senior advisor supporting development of the financial accounting, budgeting, crowdfunding, and payment processing modules of Hatch Open.

The role is designed for someone who enjoys shaping and sharing seasoned insights without the expectation of day‑to‑day delivery.

The Sage will provide guidance and support as they are available, including any of the following:

• Review and advise on the structure and integrity of Hatch Open’s financial chart of accounts, currently comprising 7,500+ indexed accounts across balance sheet and income statements
• Provide guidance on crosswalks of financial information between Hatch Open and other financial standards, with particular attention to GIFI, and secondary alignment with other reporting frameworks
• Help identify who may be well‑suited to be hired for deeper or longer‑term support as the project evolves
• Offer high‑level advice on best practices for financial reporting in arts, culture, and creative industries across varied legal forms
• Suggest approaches for budgeting, bookkeeping, crowdfunding, and payment processing suitable for gig workers, small enterprises, and community‑based structures
• Advise on tax treatment considerations and financial risk management, without taking on compliance or filing responsibilities
• Offer perspective on ethical and secure use of AI to support financial analysis, insights, and visualization while protecting privacy and ownership
• Suggest additional standards, tools, or practices that could strengthen financial literacy and confidence for Hatch Open users
• Other topics relevant to the financial systems scope of Hatch Open

Our desired qualifications include three or more of the following:

• 10+ years of experience as a senior accountant, bookkeeper, auditor, or financial advisor, ideally within arts, culture, technology, or related fields
• Strong familiarity with or interest in established standards for financial reporting in arts and culture, including GIFI (General Index of Financial Information at Canada Revenue Agency), CSA (Cultural Satellite Account at Statistics Canada), CADAC (Canadian Arts Database), and other related frameworks
• Experience supporting the financial management needs of diverse legal and economic structures, including individuals, families, sole proprietor ships, partnerships, ad hoc collectives, incorporated non‑profits, for‑profits, cooperatives, charities, and others
• Deep understanding of financial chart of accounts design, budgeting, bookkeeping, and reporting across complex or mixed models
• Comfort advising on tax considerations and compliance across different entity types (high‑level guidance, not legal sign‑off)
• Interest or experience in developnment of new open‑source financial technologies, including payment processing, crowdfunding, and integrated financial tools
• Thoughtful curiosity about using AI for financial analysis and visualization, paired with strong instincts for privacy, security, data ownership, and risk management
• Ability to communicate financial complexity in plain language with clarity and care
• Alignment with values of justice, access, shared leadership, and community accountability
• Self‑identify as (or have extensive knowledge and experience working with) Deaf, Disabled, Francophone, Indigenous, Newcomer, New Generation (18 to 35 years), Outside the Core, Racialized, Women/Trans/Non‑binary, 2
  
  SLGBTQIA+, Low‑income gig worker, or other justice‑deserving groups
• Reside in Canada

Experience with developing new open‑source Fintech software platforms is welcome but not required.

This opportunity might be a good fit if you:

• Enjoy shaping new financial standards for complex, real‑world systems in artistic, creative, and cultural economies
• Are comfortable balancing compliance with care
  , helping others navigate rules, standards, and risks without losing sight of people and content
• Have curiosity about open‑source, cooperative, and community‑centered financial tools that support creative livelihoods
• Va…