Budget Analyst

Role Responsibilities

The Budget Analyst provides support and guidance to the Assistant Deputy Minister (ADM) and Executive Directors in an assigned Division by providing financial expertise in the management and administration of the Division's finances. The position is responsible for coordinating with professional and technical staff to ensure the integrity of financial information. To be effective in the role, the incumbent must consult directly with forecast preparers, reviewers and expenditure officers, in addition to providing strategic advice regarding budgeting, forecasting, reporting, grants and internal controls.

This position plans and coordinates processes to ensure staff in assigned Division(s) are provided with instructions, guidance, and support required for budgeting and forecasting. The incumbent also reviews, analyzes, compiles and consolidates budget/forecast information prior to submission to the Corporate Financial Planning area (FP) for exercises such as funding requirements, salary and benefit reconciliations and business planning requirements. The incumbent will identify best practices regarding grant processes and reporting. The incumbent must demonstrate sound analytical abilities, the ability to multi-task and the ability to balance the needs of the assigned Division(s) with those of FP.

Providing strategic advice, and responding to divisional inquires on budgeting, forecasting, and information requests from the Minister, Executive Team and Treasury Board and Finance is also a function of this position.

Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Providing strategic and operational support to the assigned division for the development and preparation of the annual budget to ensure resources are best aligned and appropriately managed.
• Managing and recommending allocations of the assigned areas' annual budget to ensure assigned divisions meet their business plan goals.
• Co-ordinating and assisting program staff in preparing forecasts and monitoring expenditures.
• Answering questions and following up on forecast inquiries from program staff and the Corporate Financial Planning area.
• Providing advice on the interpretation of financial and accounting policies.
• Working with program staff to ensure that financial information is categorized correctly (operating, consumption of inventory, inventory acquisition, capital investment), is complete and reflects the activities of the division.
• Ensuring grants are administered according to department policies and procedures.
• Facilitating the review of financial reports from stakeholders as requested by program area.
• Assisting with the development and interpretation of financial reports and briefing materials submitted to senior and executive managers as a basis for making informed decisions.

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

APS 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.

Agility – Ability to anticipate, assess, and readily adapt to changing priorities, maintain resilience in times of uncertainty and effectively work in a changing environment.

Develop Networks – Ability to proactively build networks, connect and build trust in relationships with different stakeholders.

Creative Problem Solving – Ability to assess options and implications in new ways to achieve outcomes and solutions.

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

Required:

University graduation in a related field such Business, Finance, Accounting, Commerce or Management 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.

Assets:

• Knowledge and experience with budgeting, financial administration and financial forecasting and costing theories, techniques and processes.
• Experience preparing briefing materials and presentations that translate financial data into meaningful information for decision makers.
• Proficient skills in Microsoft Office, including Word, Outlook, Excel and PowerPoint
• Experience working with relevant financial information systems, reporting tools and software (e.g., Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) / System Analysis Program (SAP) and ability to manipulate data sets using Excel.
• Knowledge of the Government of Alberta's applicable legislation (e.g., Financial Administration Act, Fiscal Planning and Transparency Act, Government Organizational Act, and Alberta Public Agencies Act).
• 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 clearly demonstrate how your previous work experience relates to the qualifications and competencies required for this position.

We encourage you to provide specific examples that highlight:

• the responsibilities you held.
• the actions you took.
• the results or outcomes achieved.

Where possible, align your examples to the key qualifications listed in the job posting and explain how your experience prepares you to succeed in this role.

Failure to submit a cover letter will result in your application being screened out. A cover letter will be one of the ways to assess communication skills of candidates.

In your resume, please include dates (including months and years) associated with all education and work experience. For example, January 2006 – June 2009 (part-time). This example is provided for illustrative purposes only. Applicants are encouraged to present their information clearly and thoroughly, using a format that best conveys their experience.

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

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
• Leadership and mentorship programs