Director, Financial Services

Role Responsibilities

The Ministry of Affordability and Utilities has a unique opportunity for an experienced Financial Services Director.

Reporting to the Executive Director/Senior Financial Officer for the Ministry of Affordability and Utilities, this position is responsible for providing a full suite of financial services to the Ministry and assists the SFO in the development and implementation of financial strategies, policies, and practices that enable the business areas to achieve their objectives while adhering to legislative requirements and Treasury Board and Finance Directives.

The Director provides leadership to a team of professionals and assists in the preparation of financial reports required by the Executive Committee and the Provincial Controller, oversees the effectiveness of internal controls and compensating controls of the financial systems, and is the main conduit to related parties of the Ministry (e.g., Alberta Utilities Commission and the Balancing Pool).

Job Responsibilities:

• Minister briefing documents and responses to action requests are complete, accurate and timely meeting the needs of the Minister, DM, ADM, SFO, Executive Team and other Ministry officials.
• Manage and assist in the preparation of quarterly and year-end consolidation financial statements including all notes and schedules, including the development of electronic layouts and systems to produce financial statements quickly and efficiently.
• Oversee the development of training and awareness activities for all expenditure officers, procurement cardholders, management and staff in all matters relating to their responsibilities for expending budgeted funds.
• Work closely with the Executive Director/SFO on the development of the Ministry's overall audit strategies and responses to the Office of the Auditor General (OAG), ensuring that system audits and financial audit questions are addressed by coordinating the activities of the Branch and the respective business areas.
• Liaise with Corporate Internal Audit Services (CIAS) on government-wide and Ministry specific internal audits. Responds to queries, provides necessary information and resolves all concerns raised.
• Provide financial policy, analysis, advice and guidance to all levels of line management throughout the Ministry, assisting them to resolve complex management issues and ensuring that they comply with Treasury Board and Finance Directives and internal financial policies.
• Develop financial policy papers for senior management review and guidance on all matters relating to financial processes and the delegation of financial authorities.
• Provide financial policy, analysis, advice and guidance to all levels of line management throughout the Ministry, assisting them to resolve complex management issues and ensuring that they comply with Treasury Board and Finance Directives and internal financial policies.
• Oversea the effective management of the Ministry's financial operations, including accounts receivable, accounts payable, cash handling, electronic payments, banking activities, etc.

For a copy of the full job description for this position, please visit this link.

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.

Drive for Results – The position takes and delegates responsibility for outcomes, uses variety of resources to monitor own performance standards, acknowledges even indirect responsibility, commits to what is good for Albertans even if not immediately accepted and reaches goals consistent with APS direction.

Creative Problem Solving – The position engages the community and resources at hand to address issues, engages perspective to seek root causes, finds ways to improve complex systems, employs resources from other areas to solve problems and engages others and encourages debate and idea generation to solve problems while addressing risks.

Agility – The position identifies and manages required change and the associated risks, identifies alternative approaches and supports others to do the same, proactively explains impact of changes, anticipates and mitigates emotions of others, anticipates obstacles and stays focused on goals and makes decisions and takes action in uncertain situations and creates a backup plan.

Develop Networks – This position builds trust to fairly represent every party, uses network to identify opportunities, establishes credibility and common purpose with a range of people, actively represents needs and varying groups, creates strategic impression by inspiring and connecting with values and beliefs.

Systems Thinking – This position takes a long-term view towards organization’s objectives and how to achieve them, takes holistic long-term view of challenges and opportunities, anticipates outcomes and potential impacts, seeks stakeholder perspectives, works towards actions and plans aligned with APS values and works with others to identify areas for collaboration.

Qualifications

Required:

• A University Degree in Finance, Accounting, Business or Administration supplemented by 7 years of related experience.
• Professional accounting designation (CPA).
• Related experience or education may be considered as an equivalency on a one for one basis.
• Management level experience supporting and dealing with executive management concerning strategy, financial operations, internal controls and policy.

Assets:

• Experience and in-depth knowledge of Public Sector Accounting Standard (PSAS) and Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP).
• Strong leadership skills to build and lead an effective team.
• Strong facilitation and consensus building skills.
• Creativity and innovation.
• Excellent verbal, written and presentation skills.
• Project management and evaluation.
• Very strong analytical and problem-solving skills with sound judgment and decision making.
• Knowledge of relevant accounting standards and Government of Alberta legislation, regulations and policies including, but not limited to, the Financial Administration Act and the Government Accountability Act..
• Experience with using a large complex accounting financial system.
• Knowledge of Government strategic and policy directions as they relate to the Ministry's mandate and initiatives as well as the ministry business plans, programs, deliverables and initiatives.

Minimum recruitment standards outline the minimum education and experience required for appointment to a job classification.

Notes

This opportunity is located in Edmonton.

The Hours of Work are 36.25 hours per week, Monday to Friday.

A cover letter must accompany your application and how your experience aligns with the behavioral competencies of the role you are applying for. This cover letter may be used to assess your communication abilities.

In your resume, please include dates (including months and years) associated with all education and work experience. As well, please indicate whether your work experience is casual, part-time or full-time. For example, January 15, 2006 - June 25, 2009: Assistant (PT three 8 hrs. shifts/week).

Candidates with lesser qualifications may be considered at a lower classification and salary. This competition may be used to fill future roles at the same or lower classifications.

Final candidates will be required to undergo a criminal records check (CRC).

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 have to offer:

• Working for the Alberta Public Service
• Management Employee Pension Plan (MEPP)
• Alberta Public Service Benefit Information
• Professional learning and development
• Research Alberta Public Service Careers tool
• Positive workplace culture and work-life balance