Budget Analyst

Role Responsibilities

The Ministry of Assisted Living and Social Services is looking to fill a permanent Budget Analyst position within their team.

Reporting to the Finance Manager, the Budget Analyst is responsible for ensuring its business partners, Assisted Living and Social Services North Zone, are provided with timely and accurate financial information. Key responsibilities include the preparation and analysis of Budgets, Monthly Accrual & Financial Statement Working Papers, Expenditure & Revenue Forecast submissions, and other Ad hoc requests from the Regions & Ministry.

In addition, the Budget Analyst is responsible for implementing financial reporting and program changes, monitoring and analysis of accounts receivable, accounts payable, revenue & expenditures to ensure accuracy, participates in formulating solutions to problems having financial or accounting implications and, in the development, or improvement of financial procedures.

This position contributes to strengthening the organization's commitment to financial integrity and operational effectiveness.

Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Provide information, interpretation or instruction on budget allocation received from Ministry.
• Analyze and review budget submissions for accuracy and completeness.
• Evaluate and assess accuracy of the forecast and accruals through trend analysis, variance analysis, non-financial data and other forecasting tools.
• Evaluate and report on financial performance compared to budget allocations and to prior period, as well as increases/decreases in forecasts. This includes preparing in-depth variance explanations.
• Prepare monthly accruals based on analysis of expenditures processed and prior year history.
• Provide supplementary financial information and explanations to Auditor General/representative in relation to completing statutory audit.
• Provide and review a set of structured reports on a monthly basis.
• Present financial information to Director & Senior Management, as required.
• Participate in committees and working groups for development or implementation of new systems and/or policies.

Please click on this link to view the job description for this position.

Competencies

Competencies are behaviors that are essential to reach our goals in serving Albertans. We encourage you to have an in depth understanding of the competencies that are required for this opportunity and to be prepared to demonstrate them during the recruitment process.

• Systems Thinking – Ability to consider the whole system and recognize links between everything from the complex network of global to departmental priorities. Set goals within the context of long-term outcomes and broad perspectives.
• Creative Problem Solving – You are able to assess options and implications in new ways to achieve outcomes and solutions.
• Drive for Results – You are able to determine what outcomes are important and maximize the use of resources to achieve results that are aligned with the goals of the organization, while maintaining accountability to each other and all stakeholders.
• Agility – You are able to anticipate, assess, and readily adapt to changing priorities, maintain resilience in times of uncertainty and effectively work in a changing environment.
  
  

This link will assist you with understanding competencies:
https://www.alberta.ca/system/files/custom_downloaded_images/psc-alberta-public-service-competency-model.pdf.

Qualifications

University graduation in a related field plus two years related experience; or equivalent as described below.

Equivalency: An equivalent combination of education and experience which includes as a minimum, completion of a recognized applied accounting degree or diploma program.

Required:

• Experience working with relevant financial information systems, reporting tools and software (e.g., Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) / System Analysis Program (SAP).
• Ability to manipulate data sets using Excel.
• Experience preparing briefing materials and presentations that translate financial data into meaningful information for decision makers.
• Knowledge of financial administration, monitoring, projecting, costing and budgeting concepts.
• Experience in preparing and overseeing complex budget forecast submissions within a large organization.

 
Assets:

• Canadian professional accounting designation (CPA or legacy designation) or equivalent
• Knowledge of PSAS (Public Sector Accounting Standards) and the ability to interpret PSAS for the monitoring, recording, reporting and interpretation of financial information.

A cover letter must accompany your application and should indicate how your previous work experience aligns to the qualifications and competencies required. Please provide clear examples of how you meet the criteria and skills required in your cover letter. Failure to provide a cover letter will lead to the application being screened out. Cover letter will be one of the ways to assess communication skills of candidates.

Minimum recruitment standards outline the minimum education and experience required for appointment to a job classification. Refer to https://www.alberta.ca/alberta-public-service-minimum-recruitment-standards.

Notes

Hours of Work: 36.25 hours per week

Final candidates will be required to undergo a security screening.

Any costs associated with obtaining the required documents/checks as noted or interview travel expenses, will be the responsibility of the candidate. Out-of-province applicants can obtain the required documents/checks from the province they currently reside in.)

What we offer:

• Working for the Alberta Public Service – https://www.alberta.ca/advantages-working-for-alberta-public-service.aspx
• Public Service Pension Plan (PSPP) – https://www.pspp.ca
• Alberta Public Service Benefit Information – https://www.alberta.ca/alberta-public-service-benefits
• Professional learning and development – https://www.alberta.ca/professional-development-support-directive
• Research Alberta Public Service Careers tool – https://researchapscareers.alberta.ca
• Positive workplace culture and work-life balance
• Opportunity to participate in flexible work arrangements such as working from home up to two days per week and modified work schedule agreement
• Leadership and mentorship programs