Sr Financial Advisor

Summary

This position is an integral member of the Financial Services team. Incumbents act as Controller for their individual service areas and are responsible for budgeting, accounting and funding in order to advise and support strategic decision making, financial sustainability and efficient delivery of financial services. The role also serves as the senior financial relationship role between Financial Services and the services portfolio they support.  Working closely with senior level managers and key stakeholders, they support the development of operating and capital budgets, deal with various funding sources and provide debt management services. This position is also responsible for ensuring that Board approved policies and guidelines and Generally Accepted Accounting Principles as they relate to local governments including Public Sector Accounting Board (PSAB) principles are being followed.  Incumbents embody the organization’s cultural traits, including owning the outcome, working collaboratively, serving the customer, developing employee excellence, embracing change and leading the way.  

Key Duties & Responsibilities

• Responsible for the development of numerous budgets both operating and capital, and performs all related funding, accounting, reporting, debt management and forecasting functions. 
• Monitors and analyzes operating and capital expenditures, reviews and reports budgetary variances, and prepares regular capital progress reports.
• Provides guidance, information and interpretative advice to internal/external stakeholders related to operating and capital budgets, costing scenarios, funding and cash flows.
• Supports the development of the long-term financial plan for a variety of services.
• Consolidates budget submissions from various services, and reviews and prepares them for presentation to senior management.
• Works with operational staff to conduct comprehensive reviews of budgets and forecasts to identify funding needs and opportunities for savings and reports on variances. 
• Executes preparation of portfolio financials, handles complex transactions, and responsible for facilitating and addressing full-cycle accounting.
• Performs period-end and year end duties, prepares working papers and collaborates with the Financial Reporting team and other stakeholders, including external auditors, in the completion of annual financial statements. 
• Ensures that the use of grant funding obtained complies with applicable regulations, and prepares reports to submit claims to various funding agencies. 
• Employs a variety of communication styles to engage and navigate relationships with multiple stakeholders.  Effective communication for a variety of stakeholders is critical to success in the role.
• Provides support to a number of CRD services to ensure financial controls are maintained in the delivery of their programs. Assists in or conducts special studies done by or for the Financial Services division, and prepares reports for senior management on such matters as the cost effectiveness of projects and alternative sources of funding.
• Working with the Financial Reporting team and other stakeholders, compiles financial statements, reports and reconciliation reports as necessary for year end and quarter end processes.
• Recommends the development of new and amendment of existing policy and procedures, as required.
• Provides advice and guidance to commission and committee members as necessary.
• Works in collaboration with Financial Systems team, IT and service departments to analyse existing and proposed ERP requirements and system enhancements. 
• Works in collaboration with stakeholders to develop and support bylaw development, staff reports, and other operational needs that require a financial lens.
• Provides functional advice, oversight and guidance to financial analysts, where assigned.
• Demonstrates a high degree of senior level engagement and accountability, in line with the level of the role, the CPA British Columbia Code of Professional Conduct and Government Finance Officers Association Code of Ethics.
• Follows all policies, procedures and standards of the CRD.
• Performs other related duties as required.

Additional Information

• None

Key Skills & Abilities

• Excellent communication (verbal and written), interpersonal and customer service skills are necessary to be successful in the role.
• Knowledge of full cycle accounting and treatment of complex transactions are key success factors for this role.
• Experience with preparation of year-end working papers, financial statements and consolidations, account reconciliations. 
• Experience in working with an ERP system, such as SAP.
• Knowledge and experience with related legislation including the Local Government Act, Community Charter and Public Sector Accounting Board principles.
• Ability to evaluate systems and make recommendations for improvements or changes. 
• Proven ability in developing and supporting financial and management accounting principles and practices.
• Proficient knowledge of Multi-Fund Accounting in a local government or institutional setting.
• Proven ability in consolidating year-end financial statements and working papers.
• Knowledge of system analysis of computerized accounting systems, preferably Windows based enterprise financial systems.
• Demonstrated ability in accounting terminology and procedures governing centralized processes and standards.
• Knowledge of and ability to use various computer word processing, spreadsheet and project scheduling programs and databases.
• Thorough knowledge of computerized accounting systems.
• Knowledge of financial policy and procedures.
• Ability to work under pressure and set and meet deadlines.
• Ability to assist in the development, integration and sustainment of an enterprise financial system.
• Ability to solve complex financial issues with minimal supervision.

Qualifications

Certifications