Description:

Reporting to the Manager, Program Financial Support, the Program Financial Specialist is responsible for providing program specific financial support in the areas of budget, reporting, and procurement to Departmental and Divisional management teams and Project Managers.

Education

• Post-secondary degree from a recognized university in accounting or finance.

Knowledge

• 5 to 7 years of experience in accounting, financial reporting, budgeting, procurement and/or process review preferable within the Ontario Municipal Financial context.
• 5 years financial analyst experience in developing and working with financial models.
• Experience with Public Sector Accounting (PSA) and not-for-profit accounting standards is preferred.
• Professional accounting designation (CA, CGA, CMA).
• Knowledge of external regulations, such as the Municipal Act, the CICA/PSAB Handbook, and all other regulations impacting the accounting and reporting of municipalities.
• Completion of the municipal accounting and finance program is preferred.
• Audit designation is preferred.

Responsibilities

Provides consultation and integrated financial services, ensuring required financial supports are in place for business partners to achieve their business goals and objectives.

• Ensures departmental procedures are in place and monitored for compliance with general accepted accounting principles and corporate directives.
• Recommends and executes policy, process, and procedure improvements to enhance operations of respective departments, working with finance process and policy owners to understand needs and provide expert advice, and developing communication strategies to ensure department staff are informed.
• Participates in new department initiatives (new systems, new business initiatives, rate setting, etc., ensuring financial and measurement systems integration.
• Acts as first point of contact for program management and project managers for day-to-day issues with financial implications.
• Works with finance consultants to execute and implement business case recommendations, ensuring alignment with budgets, reporting, accounting and procurement.