Financial Analyst

Role Responsibilities

The Alberta First Responders Radio Communications System (AFRRCS) is a unit within the Alberta Emergency Management Agency (AEMA) and is a $435 million capital program designed to provide a province-wide radio solution for first responders (fire, ambulance, police, RCMP) and other enforcement agencies. AFRRCS aims to enhance public safety by offering a reliable two-way voice communication system, improving the safety of all Albertans and first response officers, ensuring availability to all first responders and enabling interoperability among them.

The Financial Analyst will be an integral member of the AEMA Finance team, providing guidance, support, and help to the AFFRCS program area staff. Reporting to the Manager, AEMA Finance, the Financial Analyst provides senior level professional, analytical and consultative services on financial matters to senior management, Ministry staff and external clients of AFRRCS.

The role manages Memorandums of Understanding and Agency Agreements with AFRRCS users (e.g., RCMP, Forestry and Parks, City of Edmonton, City of Medicine Hat) and prepares revenue forecast for Ministry finance. This position coordinates, compiles, analyses, monitors and reports on the budgets for AFRRCS. The role provides financial analysis and expertise for various program initiatives and ad hoc projects to support the organization. This position supports managers and program staff by providing reporting and guidance on budgeting, forecasting, long-term financial planning, accounts payable, expenditure tracking, and financial records management. The Financial Analyst is expected to have an in depth understanding of capital asset management as this position works closely with Ministry finance to manage AFRRCS extensive capital asset portfolio. The Financial Analyst provides guidance and recommendations to AEMA Finance for day-to-day financial operations, and provides expertise on applying GoA financial legislation, policies and procedures to financial transactions and internal controls.

This position performs all work within the parameters of relevant legislation, policies, guidelines, business practices, and Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP). The position also facilitates and fosters an effective, efficient financial team environment and will report to the Manager, AEMA Finance on associated duties.

The Financial Analyst will be expected to cross-train and be able to provide cover-off support for other positions within AEMA Finance.

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Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Prepare financial information and variance analysis for the AFRRCS Leadership Team, identifying major cost pressures, funding options, and overall opportunities and risks.
• Develop and maintain processes and systems to track budgets, funding, manpower allocations, and spending authorities for AFRRCS, ensuring spending targets are not exceeded and preparing supplementary estimate requests as needed.
• Capital Asset Management, maintaining capital asset portfolios, depreciation, tracking WIP to In Service requirements while working within established guidelines and procedures.
• Liaise with Ministry finance and Ministry representatives to ensure proper understanding and application of planning and financial reporting processes.
• Assess current processes in collaboration with business areas, developing and implementing program and service enhancements to address client requirements and support continuous improvement.
• Respond to action requests and inquiries, providing senior management with decision support through correspondence, briefing notes and financial reports.
• Review agency agreements, coordinating with agencies and Ministry Finance to generate invoices as per agreement terms.
• Ensure the accuracy of financial information and compliance with the Financial Administration Act and relevant policies, investigating issues and taking corrective actions.
• Coordinate with Ministry Finance to process year-end accruals, reconcile accounts, manage Purchase Order (PO) rollovers and closings, report contractual obligations and set up new year POs.
• Investigate related transactions, respond to auditor inquiries, and recommend improvements to program financial operations based on auditor feedback.
• Provide Finance and Administration (Fin/Admin) Section staff support at the Provincial Emergency Coordination Centre (PECC).

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 – You are able 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.

Build Collaborative Environments – You are able to lead and contribute to the conditions and environments that allow people to work collaboratively and productively to achieve outcomes.

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

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 Business, Finance, Accounting, Commerce, Management or other related field plus 3 years progressively responsible related experience; or equivalent as described below.

Equivalency:

• Related diploma plus 5 years directly related experience.
• Accounting designation and 1-year additional related experience.

Required:

• Experience in Capital Asset Management.
• Experience in Budgeting/Forecasting.
• Advanced skills in Microsoft Office, including Word, Outlook, Excel and PowerPoint.
• Experience working with relevant financial information systems, reporting tools, and software (e.g., Excel, Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) / System Analysis Program (SAP) and ability to manipulate data sets.
• Experience preparing, reviewing and presenting financial statements.
• Experience preparing briefing materials that translate financial data into meaningful information for decision makers.
• Solid understanding and experience with the application and research of accounting policies, practices and theories such as Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP).

Assets:

• Canadian professional accounting designation (CPA or legacy designation) or equivalent.
• 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 Public Sector Accounting Standards (PSAS) 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.

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).

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