Job Details

Job ID FIN-23-10
Category Job Opportunities
Status Open
Salary $83,105.83\xe2\x80\x93102,209.69 annually
Posted March 31, 2023
Closing April 23, 2023 11:59 PM

Job Opportunities

Accountant (Full-time/Permanent)

The City of Wetaskiwin

Do you want to be a part of a different kind of local government? Wetaskiwin is a collaborative and inclusive place where we can examine our current state, share ideas for making things better, and turn these ideas into actionable plans; this is the heart of the City\'s 50-Year Community Vision and we want you to be part of it! Council\xe2\x80\x99s Strategic Plan has us exploring ways to sustain a strong economy, stay safe, focus on community, and the environment, while the City\xe2\x80\x99s Corporate Business Plan prioritizes a people-first philosophy. Our values are trust, resourcefulness, and integrity. We cultivate well-being through our team\xe2\x80\x99s dedication to building positive, trusting, and fulfilling relationships, and we serve the community by partnering in capacity building to cultivate positive relationships which enhance the overall wellbeing of our community. Located only 35 minutes south of Edmonton and 55 minutes north of Red Deer, the City of Wetaskiwin provides all the amenities and quality of life of an urban-rural centre.

The opportunity

Reporting to the Chief Financial Officer, this position is responsible for ensuring the complete and accurate recording of information to all general ledger accounts. Specifically, areas relating to accounting, financial reporting, utilities, assessment, and taxation. This position assists in the development and execution of procedures and guidelines to ensure accurate and timely financial statements and reports are delivered at month-end and year-end. This position is responsible for supervision of frontline finance staff. This position works within tight deadlines and a multitude of accounting activities. This opportunity offers the following incentives:

• Opportunities for growth within the organization.
• Pension after six (6) months from start date.
• Benefits (include health, dental, vision, and life insurance) commencing on date of hire.
• Employee Family Assistance Program.
• Earned Day Off and Telecommuting eligible (subject to operational needs).
• Two (2) personal days per year with an additional anniversary day off.
• Paid accrued vacation time.

Responsibilities

Financial reporting and internal controls

• Month-end
  • Prepare a month-end calendar for all deadlines.
  • Ensure general ledger and sub-ledger accounts are reconciled.
  • Prepare and review month-end journal entries.
  • Ensure processes are in place for finance clerks to complete monthly duties (i.e., AP clerk to complete AP reconciliations monthly).
  • Ensure month-end is completed in a timely manner.
  • Distribute monthly reports to all department heads and external agencies such as the Wetaskiwin Public Library.
• Year-end
  • Co-ordinate the annual audit process with external auditors.
  • Create and maintain a year-end calendar for all deadlines.
  • Delegate year-end requirements to staff and ensure they are completed in a timely manner.
  • Review and prepare year-end working papers.
  • Prepared By Client package for auditors.
  • Prepare draft financial statements and notes on the City\xe2\x80\x99s financial statements in accordance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles and the guidelines of the Public Sector Accounting Board.
  • Ensure the annual Financial Information Return and Statistical Information Return are prepared and submitted to Municipal Affairs within the deadline.
• Develop, prepare, and recommend financial policies and procedures.
• Plan and perform internal audits on various processes.
• Approve and upload AP, Utility, and Tax EFTs.

Analysis, adjustments, and reporting

• Make recommendations for write-offs from uncollectable accounts.
• Write off of stale dated cheques and recommendations follow-up
• Follow up on tax recovery
• Review and approve all bank deposits, cash receipts, including refunds, along with supporting documentation
• Investigate exceptions, errors, and anomalies; take corrective action if necessary
• On-going G/L account analysis (i.e. clear suspense accounts, misc. revenues)
• Prepare monthly bank reconciliation on City\xe2\x80\x99s general account; ensure all other bank accounts are reconciled monthly.
• Review and approve monthly sub-ledger reconciliations.
• Assist in preparing year-end lead sheets for all City accounts providing variance analysis for differences.

Customer service

• Schedule adequate resources to assist the public, and to process AP, AR, Utility Billings, Landfill Billings, and Tax Levies.
• Ensure all staff conduct themselves in line with the City\xe2\x80\x99s Customer Service Policy.
• Interpret policies, bylaws, and the Municipal Government Act when required to give a clear understanding to our customers as questions and/or disputes arise, with a goal of fair and consistent treatment of all customers in accordance with the guidelines set out in policy, bylaw, and/or legislation.
• Negotiate payment arrangements when necessary with clear expectations, documentation, and followup required with support from the Finance Manager.
• Ensure confidentiality regarding customers private information is adhered to in accordance with FOIP legislation.

Banking, investments, and cash flow.

• Ensure monthly bank reconciliations are prepared and reviewed.
• Prepare cash flow analysis for review.
• Ensure investment income is recording in a timely manner.
• Complete and review all investment journal entries and associated working papers.
• Monitor the City\xe2\x80\x99s cash balance in the operating account and make recommendations on funds to invest or investments that should be liquidated based on policy.
• Complete and review all accounting for debt, as well as preparing bylaws and loan applications.

Education, qualifications, and work experience

• Undergraduate degree with a concentration in accounting, finance, or public administration, or an Accounting Diploma from a recognized institute of technology or college. A Chartered Professional Accountant designation or Advanced Accounting Certificate is considered an asset.
• This position requires a minimum of five (5) years of general accounting experience and supervisory experience, with at least three (3) years in a municipal government setting.
• Experience with Microsoft Dynamics software is a definite an asset.

Knowledge, skills, and abilities

• Experience in the areas of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles, the Municipal Government Act, treasury, reporting and budgeting, planning, business modeling, and forecasting processes and techniques.
• Strong technical skills to evaluate, investigate, and interpret information related to budgets, plans, and forecasts. Equivalent combinations of education and experience may be considered,
• Have a thorough understanding of Public Sector Accounting Standards, professional accounting practices, and related federal and provincial legislation.
• Have a thorough understand of Great Plains and Questica.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective, tactful, service-oriented relationships with staff and management.
• Exceptional time management skills.
• Strong organizational skills.
• Ability to perform complex fiscal policy and economic analysis, and research methods regarding policy issues.
• Must be analytical, with strong attention to detail.
• Proficiently skilled in all Microsoft Office programs \xe2\x80\x94 expert knowledge of Excel is required \xe2\x80\x94 as well as accounting and budgeting software. Must be adept in learning financial software.
• Maintaining a high degree of accuracy is essential.
• Ability to listen, analyze information, and communicate the City\xe2\x80\x99s position at meetings.
• Ability to take initiative, work in a team environment, be resourceful, work under pressure, and meet deadlines.

Application deadline and details

Application deadline: Sunday, April 23, 2023 How to Apply: please email your resum\xc3\xa9 to hr@wetaskiwin.ca. The City of Wetaskiwin is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and encourage applications from all qualified individuals. The personal information submitted pursuant to this advertisement will be utilized for this employment opportunity only and is subject to compliance with the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act. Applicants are thanked in advance for their interest, however, only those selected for an interview will be contacted.