Financial Operation Analyst

Role Responsibilities

Reporting to the Team Lead, Financial Operations, the Financial Operations Analyst, works collaboratively with financial professionals across the Government of Alberta to develop ministry policies, procedures and implementing GoA best practices. The primary focus of this position is to manage the ministry's daily financial operations while providing advice, analysis, consultation and training to program areas and agencies.

The Financial Operational Analyst will provide financial advice and recommendations to senior management in response to queries and ad hoc report requests, and to all ministry program areas to resolve unclear or complex issues. The role includes ongoing resolution of transactional and system issues, ensuring accuracy and strong internal controls for all financial transactions. Using a risk-based approach, the incumbent tracks analyzes, compiles and reports departmental work, applying financial expertise to ensure compliance.

Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Coordinate with program areas to conduct detailed Travel Authorization reviews, expense claims, and hospitality event reviews, applying professional judgment and knowledge of financial policies and directives to ensure compliance with Government of Alberta legislation, directives and ministry procedures.
• Analyze and develop internal financial controls, policies and procedures to maintain the integrity of ministry-specific documentation and identify opportunities for continuous improvement.
• Coordinate 1GX Delegation of Authority updates and administer Expenditure Officer designation processes, including new appointments, changes, and ongoing maintenance of financial signing authorities.
• Administer the P-Card program, including processing new and change requests, reviewing and validating lists of cancelled or expired cards provided by Service Alberta and Red Tape Reduction, and following up with cardholders on overdue reconciliations.
• Contribute to the ongoing review and updating of finance intranet and SharePoint resources, ensuring financial policies, procedures, forms, templates and guidance materials remain current and accurate.
• Provide input, analysis and feedback on strategic and operational financial processes. Make recommendations for improvements based on assessments of leading practices.
• Ensure the integrity, completeness and accuracy of financial information maintained within the 1GX financial system.

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.

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

Develop Networks – This position is required to build networks with the Branch Administrator, Service Alberta, Red Tape Reduction, department staff, Treasury Board and Finance staff, and other stakeholders to obtain cooperation when requesting information, advice, feedback and support related to financial processes and reporting.

Creative Problem Solving – This position is required to continuously investigate discrepancies and ensure expense compliance with various policies. The role analyzes reports to identify issues, develops practical solutions, and actively reviews internal controls to determine how changes in leading practices can improve financial processes, controls and compliance.

Agility – This position is required to remain informed of and adapt to policy and procedural changes that impact financial operations. The role must respond effectively in a fast-paced and evolving environment, continuously improving internal processes and procedures to align with Government of Alberta requirements. The position also provides guidance and training to staff to support the implementation of new policies, procedures and financial practices.

Drive for Results – The role identifies critical issues, remains focused on achieving results and proactively resolves complex financial and operational challenges. The incumbent is accountable for delivering accurate financial information, ensuring compliance with policies and procedures, and taking corrective action when issues arise to support ministry and organizational outcomes.

Qualifications

Required:

• University graduation in a related field plus 3 years progressively responsible related experience.

Equivalency:

• Accounting designation (CPA) and 1-year additional related experience.
• Related post secondary diploma plus 5 years directly related experience.

Assets:

• An Accounting Designation (CPA would be considered an Asset.
• Knowledge of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) and Generally Accepted Auditing Standards (GAAS).
• Experience reviewing and assessing travel, expense, hospitality, or procurement-related transactions for compliance with financial policies, procedures and directives.
• Broad knowledge of Government of Alberta (GoA) and ministry policies and guidelines, Treasury Board and Finance directives and relevant government legislation.
• Strong working knowledge of Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems (e.g., 1GX) and related financial interface systems such as Concur and the Electronic Payment System (EPS).
• Experience preparing financial reports, expense disclosures, variance analyses, dashboards, or other management reporting products for executive leadership.
• Experience developing, implementing, or maintaining financial controls, policies, procedures, or process improvement initiatives within a public sector or large organizational environment.

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
• Leadership and mentorship programs