Coordinator of Financial Services

Under the general direction of the Assistant Controller – Community Services, the Coordinator of Financial Services (CFS) is responsible for planning, coordinating and compliance of all financial aspects relating to his/her assigned divisions within the Community Services department. The emphasis is on providing timely, independent, and objective financial analysis to management for their business decisions and providing suggestions for improvement to accounting processes and policies. The development and maintenance of internal controls to safeguard the Departments assets from mismanagement or misappropriation is also a critical function of this position.

This senior financial position will bring required business acumen and financial expertise to manage revenue and expenditures in their respective portfolio which includes Library Services and supervision of the clerical staff.

The assigned portfolio has a combined revenue and expenditure of $3.8 Million and $35 million respectively. The Coordinator of Financial Services is responsible for the planning, coordination, research, review, analysis and interpretation of financial and statistical data. The incumbent is a “Specialist” expected to be the main source for financial information pertaining to his/her assigned Division. The Assistant Controller, Manager of Finance, and other Senior Managers rely on the incumbent to provide pertinent financial information for decision making.

Responsibility also includes supervising, planning, coordinating, and compliance of all finance-related activities undertaken by clerical staff within the Community Services Department – centralized in the Finance and Administration division – involved in processing all financial transactions for the department including accounts payable, accounts receivable, cost tracking, inventory control, work/asset management, recoveries and other finance-related transactional type activities and ensuring consistent and transparent financial processes and procedures necessary for efficient and effective processing of finance transactions. In addition, the position will provide leadership, guidance and support to a variety of finance and business initiatives, as well as provide timely frontline expertise and support including user training, advising and providing guidance to users, and assisting users in resolving problems.

There is an overall expectation that all financial transactions will be processed efficiently, on a timely basis and consistent with Council Policies and Financial Administrative Standards. In particular, payments to suppliers are made on a timely basis in accordance with the City’s contractual terms and conditions for payment. The position will be expected be highly involved in re-engineering clerical process flows to improve efficiency while ensuring proper internal controls are preserved.

As the Coordinator of Financial Services, you will:

• Oversee daily clerical activities ensuring that they are provided in compliance with financial accounting standards and all City policies, and ensuring that accounting, financial and administrative transactions are processed efficiently, accurately and on a timely basis, including year-end processes and annual reports.
• Provide leadership, supervision and direction for divisional clerical staff undertaking financial activities.
• Plan, lead and coordinate the assigned divisions operating (departmental and service-based) budgeting processes including assisting divisional managers in developing goals and objectives.
• Plan, lead and coordinate the operating forecasting and year-end financial statements for assigned divisions.
• Identify and investigate weaknesses in all departmental financial systems, presents alternative solutions and coordinates system implementation.
• Review and analyze Administrative Reports to ensure financial implications are highlighted through the preparation of Financial Impact Statements.
• Provide technical support in special projects along with the Assistant Controller and/or Manager of Finance, and acts for them during their absence.

Your education and qualifications include:

• Professional accounting designation in good standing is required.

• Bachelor’s Degree in Commerce or equivalent.

• Minimum four years’ experience with independent management of a finance operation that includes budgeting, forecasting and year-end financial statements for Operating, Capital and Reserves.

• Minimum two years’ experience supervising staff.

• Demonstrated ability to identify information needs of staff and management and to integrate into an appropriate reporting system.

• Demonstrated ability in directing the accounting, administrative and payroll functions for a large, complex department.

• Demonstrated ability in preparing and/or analyzing and interpreting financial and statistical reports.

• Demonstrated ability to establish and maintain positive working relationships with employees at all levels of the organization, external contacts, and the public, in accordance with the Respectful Workplace Policy.

• Demonstrated ability to plan, organize, prioritize tasks, and meeting deadlines.

• Demonstrated ability to initiate action with limited supervision and instruction.

• Strong knowledge of accounting and control systems with the ability to develop and implement new systems.

• Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing.

• Strong knowledge of the Community Services Department(s), including all financial systems, business processes, policies and procedures is preferred or expected within 12 months.

• Demonstrated ability to develop complex spreadsheets using advanced Microsoft Excel and strong knowledge of Microsoft PowerPoint and PeopleSoft Finance and Budget modules.

• Ability in preparing reports for senior management.

• Strong knowledge of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) and other reporting practices applicable to municipal governments and in general, and other reporting entities.

• Knowledge of CUPE & WAPSO collective agreements is preferred.

• IMPORTANT: Applicants who have been educated outside of Canada must have education which is comparable to the minimum qualification in Canada. Applicants submitting foreign credentials require an official academic assessment report issued by a recognized Canadian assessment service https://canalliance.org/en/ at application.

Conditions of employment:

• The successful applicant must maintain legal eligibility to work in Canada. If the successful applicant possesses a work permit, it is their responsibility to ensure the permit remains valid.
• Professional accounting designation in good standing.
• A Police Information Check satisfactory to the employer will be required from the successful candidate at their expense.