Manager, Accounting Services Operations

**Division**:

- Financial Management & Planning

**Important Notices & Amendments**:
**SALARY IS CURRENTLY UNDER REVIEW**

**This position**currently falls within our hybrid model**, allowing the employee to**typically**work**a minimum of**50% of**your** time**at your regular work location and the other 50% of time at home.**

**About Us**:
Serving a diverse urban and rural population of more than 475,000, Niagara Region is focused on building a strong and prosperous Niagara. Working collaboratively with 12 local area municipalities and numerous community partners, the Region delivers a range of high-quality programs and services to support and advance the well-being of individuals, families and communities within its boundaries. Nestled between the great lakes of Erie and Ontario, the Niagara peninsula features some of Canada’s most fertile agricultural land, the majesty of Niagara Falls and communities that are rich in both history and recreational and cultural opportunities. Niagara boasts dynamic modern cities, Canada’s most developed wine industry, a temperate climate, extraordinary theatre, and some of Ontario’s most breathtaking countryside. An international destination with easy access to its binational U.S. neighbour New York State, Niagara attracts over 14 million visitors annually, as well as a steady stream of new residents and businesses.

At Niagara Region, we value diversity - in background and experience. We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We aspire to hire and grow a workforce reflective of the diverse community we serve. By doing so, we can deliver better programs and services across Niagara.

For the Region's full employee equity statement, Working at Niagara Region - Niagara Region, Ontario.

**Don’t have every qualification?**

**Job Summary**:
Reporting to the Associate Director of Finance Operations & Systems, the Manager Accounting Services Operations is responsible for the strategic development, planning, and delivery of centralized accounting operations for the Region and shared services partners including: accounts payable, accounts receivable, cash handling and collection functions, banking and general accounting activities, indirect tax accountability and compliance, and Ontario Works support. The Manager is accountable for ensuring the team meets strict month end, quarter end, and year end deadlines, while also providing leadership to the team that aligns to corporate strategy and guides them to make connections between the impacts of their functions on operating results. The Manager is also responsible for establishing, overseeing, and championing policies and procedures relating to the accounting services functions, ensuring effective operating controls and segregation of duties to safeguard assets, mitigate risks, and drive efficiency.

**Education**:

- Post-secondary degree in Accounting or Finance.
- Completion of the Municipal Accounting and Finance Program is preferred.

**Knowledge**:

- Minimum 7 years of experience in accounting, financial reporting, budgeting, procurement and/or process review in a high-volume accounting environment. Experience in the municipal/public sector preferred.
- Minimum 5 years of progressive management experience. Experience leading cross-functional teams in a unionized setting is preferred.
- Professional Accounting Designation (CPA, CA, CGA, CMA).
- Experience with Public Sector Accounting (PSA) and not-for-profit accounting standards are preferred.
- Knowledge of external legislation and/or regulations impacting municipal accounting and reporting e.g. Municipal Act, CICA/PSAB Handbook, and Excise Tax Act (GST/HST).
- Knowledge of Lean process development and continuous improvement is preferred.
- Demonstrated proficiency using an ERP system designed for large enterprises (PeopleSoft Financials preferred).
- Well-developed analytical, diagnostic, and problem-solving skills. Experience with reconciliation of large data sources from subsystems and systems analysis is preferred.
- Previous experience engaging with Council, Agencies, Boards and/or Committees is considered an asset.
- Audit designation (e.g. CIA, CGAP, CFSA, CRMA, or CQA) is considered an asset.

**Responsibilities**:
**Manages and coordinates a range of centralized accounting operations including accounts payable (A/P), accounts receivable (A/R), cash handling and collection functions, banking and general accounting activities, indirect tax accountability and compliance, and Ontario Works support, including development and compliance with all policies, procedures and processes relating to the accounting services functions. (35% of time)**:

- Develops and implements accounting policies, procedures and internal controls for Region and shared services partners accounting operations, including but not limited to cash handling, accounts payable and employee expenses, receivables and collection, banking & Ontario Works System Support activities, and ensures financ