Finance - Financial Analyst (3yr Term Position)

City Hall Wetaskiwin, 4705 50 Ave, Wetaskiwin, Alberta, Canada Req #32

April 26, 2024

Join our team

Full Time | 35 Hours

Internal | External

Competition No. FIN-24-16

The City of Wetaskiwin

Situated just 35 minutes south of Edmonton and 55 minutes north of Red Deer, the City of Wetaskiwin is the home of possibility Nestled by the hills where peace was made, Wetaskiwin is a vibrant, sustainable, and self-sufficient small city with abundant nature and agriculture, a resilient economy, and much more

If you would like to be part of a different kind of local government, look no further We are a diverse, collaborative, and enthusiastic team that knows it can be done better and we are doing it The City of Wetaskiwin is dedicated to upholding our core values, Trust, Resourcefulness and Integrity while fostering a collaborative and inclusive environment, promoting positive, trusting, and fulfilling relationships within our team. Here we encourage the sharing of ideas for making things better and transform these ideas into actionable plans Council’s Strategic Plan guides us in exploring ways to sustain a strong economy, prioritize safety, focus on community, and the environment, all while adopting a people first philosophy outlined in the City’s Corporate Business Plan.

The Opportunity

Reporting to the Manager of Finance, this position plays a crucial role in helping to make informed financial decisions by analyzing and interpreting complex financial data. The Financial Analyst term position holds the responsibility for ensuring the comprehensive and accurate recording of information across all general ledger accounts, particularly in areas related to accounting and financial reporting. This role actively contributes to the development and implementation of procedures and guidelines, aiming to guarantee the delivery of accurate and timely financial statements and reports at both month-end and year-end. Operating within tight deadlines, this position is involved in a multitude of accounting activities.

Key Responsibilities:

• Financial Reporting and Internal Controls:
  • Prepare and meet month-end and year-end deadlines.
  • Distribute monthly reports to all department managers and external agencies.
  • Ensure processes are in place to complete monthly duties and ensure that month end is completed in a timely manner.
  • Ensure general ledger and sub-ledger accounts are reconciled.
  • Coordinate the annual audit process with external auditors.
  • Assist in year end PBC requirements and help ensure completion in a timely manner.
  • Assist with preparation of draft financial statements and notes to the City’s financial statements in accordance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAPP) and the guidelines of Public Sector Accounting Board (PSAB).
  • Ensure the annual Financial Information Return (FIR) and Statistical Information Return (SIR) are prepared and submitted to Municipal Affairs within the deadline.
  • Develop, prepare, and recommend financial policies and procedures.
• General Ledger Maintenance
  • Ensure complete and accurate information is recorded to the appropriate general ledger accounts and set up new accounts in accordance with structure.
• Analysis, Adjustments and Reporting
  • Review and approve all bank deposits, cash receipts (including refunds), along with supporting documentation.
  • Prepare monthly bank reconciliation on City’s general account and ensure all other bank accounts are reconciled monthly.
  • Review and approve monthly sub-ledger reconciliations.
  • Investigate exceptions, errors, and anomalies and take corrective actions.
  • Prepare year end lead sheets for City accounts providing variance analysis.
• Customer Service
  • Provide support to staff in accounts payable, receivable, utility billing and tax levies.
  • Interpret policies, bylaws, and the MGA to provide customers a clear understanding.
  • Negotiate payment arrangements when necessary.
• Oversee insurance program including management of insurance policies and claims.
• Evaluate insurance policies on an annual basis to ensure accuracy.
• Manage the allocation of insurance costs in the annual operating budget based on capital asset allocations.
• Set up recurring monthly entries to allocate insurance costs to departments.
• Banking, Investments and Cash Flow
  • Ensure monthly bank reconciliations, and cash flow analysis are prepared and reviewed and ensure investment income is recording in a timely manner.
  • Complete and review all investment journal entries and associated working papers.
  • Monitor the City’s 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.
• Be a functional expert in the Questica Budget software, Great Plains software and Microsoft Dynamics project costing module.

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. An equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered with preference given to candidates with municipal experience.
• 5 years of general accounting experience.
• Working towards a Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA) designation.
• Experience in the areas of PSAB, the MGA, 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.
• Proficiently skilled in all Microsoft Office programs (expert Excel required), as well as accounting and budgeting software. Must be adept in learning financial software.
• Experience with Microsoft Dynamics Great Plains software is considered an asset.
• Experience with Questica software is considered an asset.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Thorough understanding of PSA standards and related Federal and Provincial legislation.
• Exceptional time management, strong organizational skills, solid analytical competencies with strong attention to detail.
• Effective communication skills to listen, analyze information and communicate the City’s position at meetings.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective, tactful, service-oriented relationships.
• Ability to perform complex fiscal policy and economic analysis and research methods regarding policy issues.
• Strong analytical abilities to interpret complex financial data to make meaningful conclusions and the ability to work effectively under pressing deadlines.
• Work collaboratively with cross-functional teams to gather relevant information and contribute to strategic decision making.
• Ability to work in a team environment, take initiative, be resourceful, work well under pressure and meet deadlines.

What We Offer:

• Benefits (Health, Dental, Vision and Life Insurance) commencing on date of hire.
• Pension through Local Authority Pension Plan (LAPP)
• Employee, Family Assistance Program
• 3 weeks of paid annual vacation time
• 2 Personal Days per year with an additional Anniversary Day off
• Participation in the Earned Day off program.
• Opportunities for growth within the organization

To apply, click on the "apply now" button below no later than May 14, 2024.

• City Hall Wetaskiwin, 4705 50 Ave, Wetaskiwin, Alberta, Canada