Manager of Financial Operations

Role Responsibilities

Reporting to the Director, Financial Operations and Procurement, the Manger, Financial Operations, leads the daily financial operations for the ministry and provides advice, analysis, consultation, and training to the program areas in the ministry and agencies to ensure that financial operations are effectively managed in accordance with legislation, GoA policies and the Ministry's financial policies and processes. This position provides financial advice and recommendations to senior management in response to queries and ad hoc report requests, and to all Ministry program areas to resolve complex issues.

The Financial Services Branch works as a business partner to the ministry, collaborating with the program areas to provide strategic and operational insight to help support the business to make stronger financial decisions. This includes Financial Planning, which leads the budget and forecasting cycle, Financial Operations, which oversees financial processes, contract and grant management, and internal control reviews; and Financial Reporting manages financial reporting and accounting treatment, responds to ad hoc reporting requests, and provides advice to ministry program areas to resolve complex issues.

Responsibilities include:

• Lead the development, implementation, interpretation, and continuous improvement of financial policies, procedures, processes, and internal controls to ensure compliance with legislation, regulations, Government of Alberta policies and directives, and ministry requirements.
• Oversee consistent financial operations for Expenditure Officer designation processes, procurement cards, accounts receivable and payable, payment processing, revenue, reconciliations, journal entries, expense claims, and year-end activities.
• Manage the administration, access security, maintenance, implementation, and effective use of financial systems, including 1GX, EPS, and other related systems.
• Lead training and awareness initiatives for Expenditure Officers, procurement cardholders, management, and staff to strengthen understanding of financial responsibilities and understanding ministry financial processes and procedures.
• Provide financial advice and recommendations to senior management and program areas on complex or sensitive issues. Review briefing notes, presentations and other materials to ensure advice and responses are accurate, complete, aligned with requirements and risk informed.
• Collaborate with Treasury Board and Finance, Service Alberta and Red Tape Reduction, the Office of the Controller, the 1GX central team, auditors, other ministries, agencies, and internal reporting and planning teams to resolve issues, support projects, improve processes, and share leading practices.
• Provide strategic and operational direction to staff to ensure work aligns with ministry priorities, government direction, legislative requirements, stakeholder expectations and service standards.
• Lead and develop the Financial Operations team by setting priorities, assigning work, monitoring workloads and deliverables, providing feedback, and supporting staff development, and knowledge transfer.
• Oversee unit resource planning, risk management, performance monitoring and reporting on key priorities, results and risks.
• Act for the Director when required.

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 ability to adopt and communicate a corporate perspective, having strong awareness of the department's, and the GoA's priorities and objectives. Understands what results are critical, stays committed, negotiations major issues and rectifies problem situations, and remains accountable to achieving them.

Systems Thinking – The ability to apply the knowledge of the business, programs, and processes to effectively linking operational activities to strategic priorities to support the government's vision and the department's goals. The Manager is forward looking, assess impacts, adapts business processes in a rapidly changing environment, and lays groundwork to enable future action.

Agility – The ability to adapt and respond creatively in a fast changing environment, proactively shifts strategic focus and activities as appropriate.

Build Collaborative Environment – The ability to ensure there are strong relationships and effective communication channels with all groups. The position requires a high level of skill in dealing with the competing needs for scarce resources that many groups will have, requiring an ability to negotiate and influence decisions in the context of the broader priorities of the division, department and the Government of Alberta (GoA).

Develop Self and Others – The ability to lead by example, coaching and mentoring to create a positive work environment and develop future leaders. Ongoing professional development is critical for maintaining the capacity and capability of self, teams and business partners.

Qualifications

Required:

• A Bachelor’s degree in business, Finance, is required  supplemented by four years related experience.
• A Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA) designation is required.
• Related experience or education may be considered as an equivalency on a one for one basis.

Assets:

• Strong knowledge of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles, Generally Accepted Auditing Standards, financial reporting requirements, audit practices, management control systems and risk management.
• Broad knowledge of Government of Alberta and ministry legislation, policies, guidelines, and directives, including Treasury Board and Finance directives, the Financial Administration Act and the Fiscal Management Act.
• In-depth understanding of ministry financial policies, procedures, internal controls and business processes.
• Strong working knowledge of 1GX, and related financial interface systems, including Concur and the Electronic Payment System.
• Other related experience in a financial or accounting environment, with experience in financial reporting and planning considered an asset.
• Strong leadership and performance management skills to support staff accountability and ensure quality work is completed within required timelines.

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

Notes

A cover letter is required. In your cover letter, please provide information that clearly demonstrates how your qualifications meet the advertised requirements for this position.

Selected candidates will be required to complete a written assessment.

Location – Commerce Place Building , Edmonton AB.

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).

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.

Links and information on 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