Job Description

Posted Date: Jan 03, 2024

Department Accountant II

Strathcona County, Strathcona County

The Department Accountant II leads and coordinates all financial functions including operating and capital budget preparation, financial analysis and reporting as well as business planning functions while ensuring conforming to corporate policies and procedures.

This role provides in-depth analysis and recommendations on financial matters to the Director, Manager and Supervisors; to assist the department in decision-making, to support the department business plan, corporate goals and objectives and the effective, timely service delivery for both internal and external stakeholders.

This position acts as a liaison with the Corporate Services Division Strategic Finance Coordinator and Financial and Strategic Services Department on all department fiscal matters. This position is also responsible for developing, implementing, and overseeing effective internal controls and efficiency measures to ensure effective use of taxpayer funding.

This role may be eligible to participate in our hybrid work program. The successful candidate will be required to reside within 2 hours of Sherwood Park, Alberta.

Key Responsibilities Include:

Responsibilities:

• Leads and coordinates the development and annual 4-year operating budget and 5/10-year capital budgets including providing leadership for the development of detailed business cases to support requests for initiatives, staff increases and capital acquisitions and disposals

• Provide short- and long-term recommendations to management for financial planning in accordance with department and corporate policies

• Prepare monthly, quarterly and annual financial reports for department management and the Strategic Finance Coordinator

• Develop and maintain monthly, quarterly, and annual variance analysis and forecasts to guide management decisions for all cost centers within the department

• Analyze and make recommendations to respond to variances, priorities, and emerging concerns as required

• Manage the department\'s day to day financial accounting activities and internal controls to ensure smooth business operations and the safeguarding of corporate assets

• Review and manage the department financial activities associated with accounting, accounts payables, accounts receivable, inter-department fuel chargebacks, p-card procurement, payroll and client invoicing to ensure accuracy and compliance with county policies

• Work with department staff to assist with the department\'s procurements, request for quotes, proposals and tenders

• Validate the annual physical inventory count, reconciliation of inventory and adjusting of variances

• Track, monitor, reconcile and report on all expenditures occurring due to emergent incidents

• Provide assistance to project managers in maintaining appropriate project cost records

• Provide leadership, training and coaching to department staff at all levels concerning County financial policies and processes

• Comply with corporate and legislative policies regarding privacy, confidentiality, and corporate records management requirements

Requirements:

Qualifications and Skills

• An Accounting degree and a minimum of 3 years experience in accounting or a related area, or an Accounting diploma and a minimum of 5 years experience in accounting or a related area, preferably in a public sector environment

• Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA) designation or currently enrolled in program

• Proficiency with business productivity software, Microsoft office and financial systems. Experience with Oracle, FASuite, Questica, and Insight considered an asset.

• Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills to perform financial and budgetary analysis, prepare financial reports, budgets and complete complex account reconciliations

• Ability to apply advanced accounting principles with knowledge and skills to maintain a complex set of accounting and budgeting records and make effective recommendations within the department and within a political environment.

• Ability to work independently and as a team member along with the ability to demonstrate initiative and resourcefulness

• Experience in a dynamic and complex environment, with responsibility for full-cycle accounting, reporting, forecasting and budgeting (capital and operating)

• Ability to deal with confidential and politically sensitive information in a discreet and professional manner

Conditions of Employment

• Submission of a Satisfactory Criminal Record Check

Who We Are:

Strathcona County is a specialized municipality located in the heart of Alberta. Our vision is to become Canada\'s most livable community, where our workplace culture and identity are supported by our people plan and values of integrity, respect, safety, fairness, and cooperation.

Why Join Strathcona County:

• Competitive salary and comprehensive benefits package, which includes:

• Extended health and dental coverage

• Health and wellness spending account

• Life and disability insurance and critical illness programs

• Retirement and pension programs

• Paid and unpaid leave programs

• Earned day off program

• Employee and family assistance program

• Commitment to employee development, through internal and external training and development opportunities.

• Well-being programs and a safety culture focused on physical and psychological health in the workplace.

Equivalencies of education and experience may be considered.

This competition may be used to fill future vacancies for similar positions within the next 6 months.

We thank all applicants for their interest; however, only those selected for an interview will be contacted.

Please apply on our website:

Additional Job Information:

Salary Range: $84,047.60 - $105,032.20
Posted Date: Jan 03, 2024
Closing Date: Jan 21, 2024

Rural Municipalities of Alberta