Financial Analyst (Development Charges and Asset Management)

Job Number: 3676
Job Type: Full-Time
Location: 150 Frederick St - Regional Admin Headquarters
Job Category: Financial
Number of Positions: 1
Department: Infrastructure Financing
Division: Corporate Services
Hours of Work: 35 hours per week - hybrid schedule (3 days in office, 2 days at home)
Union: Management/Management Support
Grade: Management/Management Support Grade 06
Salary Range: $91,291.20 - $114,114.00

About Us!

The Region of Waterloo is a thriving, diverse community committed to fostering opportunities for current and future generations. Waterloo Region is part of the Dish with One Spoon wampum, a treaty guiding our commitment to:

• Taking only what we need
• Leaving some for others
• Keeping the dish clean

This agreement underpins our vision, mission, and core value, and reinforces our dedication to meaningful reconciliation and equity.

Waterloo Region is home to over 674,000 residents and expected to grow to nearly one million by 2051.

Guided by our 2023-2027 Strategic Plan, “Growing with Care,” we prioritize homes for all, climate aligned growth, equitable services and opportunities and a resilient and future ready organization. Our mission is to provide essential services that enhance the quality of life for all residents, while our core value emphasizes caring for people and the land we share. Join us and be part of a team dedicated to making a meaningful difference in our community.

The Role

Provides/oversees the provision of budgeting, accounting, and financial analysis services and support for clients; and provides financial analysis and reports for senior staff, Council, and Committee. Supports the ongoing development of the Region’s Asset Management Program. Administers the collection, appropriation, and reporting of regional Development Charges (DC) and assists in the coordination of DC By-law review.

Duties/Responsibilities

• Supervises an Accounting Coordinator. Provides training to clients who use accounting and/or budgeting systems, and on related policies and procedures.
• Supervises the collection, appropriation, and reporting of DCs. Oversees the preparation of DC related reports to Council, including annual Transaction and Sustainability reports. Assists the Manager/Director in the management of periodic and legislated reviews of the DC By-law. Performs analyses related to overall DC quantum and reserve fund projection, phase-ins and discounts, exemption funding, complaints, and other policy and calculation issues as required. Interprets related by-law(s) and reviews DC certifications to ensure compliance with the Region’s by-law, the Act, and regulations. Supervises allocation of collections, exemptions, and discounts to appropriate reserve funds. Responds to inquiries from area municipalities and the development community regarding DCs. Maintains the information on the Region’s Development Charge Web Page.
• In collaboration with the Asset Management Office (AMO), supports the ongoing advancement of the Region’s Asset Management Program, including the development, implementation, and maintenance of asset management policies, plans, and procedures. Provides support for asset management related technology implementations, data analytics, and data management across functional areas.
• Prepares base operating and capital budgets for client review/approval. Prepares initial budgets, and reviews and makes changes per client/corporate/federal and provincial government decisions. Provides input into service expansion requests and service level adjustments, including projecting financial impacts.
• Analyzes, interprets, and communicates financial information, including developing forecasts, summaries, cost benefit analysis, fees and charges, and continuity schedules. Participates in planning, coordinating, and organizing the preparation and approval of the budget.
• Develops and administers capital financing plans for clients, including debentures, development charges, reserve funds, and other types of financing. Updates capital budgets based on Council approvals. Determines year-end carry forward budget amounts and financing requirements for capital projects.
• Administers reserve and reserve funds to ensure adequate funds are available to finance capital projects. Develops long term strategies, scenarios, and projections to fund capital budgets.
• Monitors actual expenditures and revenues monthly against approved budgets and implements financial control procedures. Works with clients for forecasting and planning purposes; identifies possible variances; investigates and develops strategies to mitigate variances; and reports to senior management and Council as appropriate. Ensures budget reports are available for clients, as requested.
• Administers/oversees the administration of financial accounts for clients, ensuring accurate financial reporting. Undertakes required analysis.
• Reviews and reconciles information to assist in the preparation of yearly financial statements, including trial balances, financial information returns, and financial statement notes. Records tangible capital asset accounting information in general ledger.
• Prepares detailed financial analyses to determine the impact of program changes as a result of policy/legislative changes, and makes financial policy recommendations to senior management.
• Provides financial information, analyses, recommendations, and advice to clients, senior management, and Council, through standing committee and procurement report development and review, and as part of project teams with senior management, area municipalities, and other stakeholders (e.g., the Province).

Additional Duties/Responsibilities

• Prepares budget submissions and financial reports/claims to the federal/provincial government for client programs receiving funding/subsidy, ensuring compliance with requirements. Prepares applications and claims submissions for funding provided through infrastructure programs from other levels of government. Participates in project specific meetings with Ministry staff and coordinates project audits as required. Reviews agreements to ensure compliance with terms/agreements.
• Participates on special project teams, as required.
• Participates as a financial representative on the management negotiating team for collective agreements to analyze financial impacts of proposals.
• Exchanges information with staff from area municipalities, federal/provincial government, and other municipalities. Responds to inquiries from external auditors.
• Authorizes purchase orders, invoices, and cheque requisitions. Reviews expenditures over $10,000 for compliance before payment. Reviews and makes recommendations on system needs.
• Backs up the Manager as required.
• Performs related duties as required.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Knowledge and skill in budgeting, management control systems, planning and accounting principles are normally acquired through a Bachelor's degree in a related discipline (including but not limited to Business, Economics, Mathematics, Commerce), plus progressively responsible experience in the application of principles and techniques relating to cost/benefit analysis, present values, statistical analysis, and forecasting.
• Must have a professional accounting designation (CPA) at time of hire.
• Knowledge of legislation and policies and procedures related to Development Charges and Asset Management.
• Knowledge of and ability to comply with policies, procedures, generally accepted accounting principles, related legislation (e.g., financial management, purchasing, municipal, development charges, public sector accounting board), and collective agreements.
• Analytical, problem solving, and continuous improvement skills to plan and develop objectives; conduct analyses; provide input into new guidelines and procedures for financial issues without precedent; make recommendations and decisions on financial issues; use initiative to resolve problems and achieve objectives; and resolve unusual or complex issues without precedent in consultation with senior management.
• Human relations and communication skills to communicate often complex and politically sensitive information to senior management and clients; obtain and promote cooperation with clients when exercising financial control over assigned budget areas; assist clients in adapting and changing with new legislation and regulations; conduct presentations and training to clients on financial systems; respond regarding financial and budgetary concerns and special projects; and participate as an effective team member.
• Ability to read and interpret Council/Committee reports, legislation and guidelines, technical proposals, policies, by-laws, and legal/funding agreements. Ability to write letters and reports to management, Council, and external contacts regarding financial updates and budget information; and draft/provide input into by-laws and legal agreements as required.
• Computer skills with ability to use software such as Microsoft Office, and financial information systems. Ability to develop financial models.
• Must provide an acceptable Police Information Check (Level 2) for bondability.
• Ability to travel within and occasionally outside Waterloo Region. Ability to support and demonstrate the Region’s values.

Region of Waterloo is committed to building a workforce through fair, equitable, and accessible hiring practices that allow us to hire qualified staff who reflect the diversity of the community we serve and to promote a respectful, inclusive, and equitable workplace.

We invite all interested individuals to apply and actively encourage applications from members of groups with historical and/or current barriers to equity, including, but not limited to:

• First Nations, Métis and Inuit peoples, and all other Indigenous peoples;
• members of groups that commonly experience discrimination due to race, ancestry, colour, religion and/or spiritual beliefs, or place of origin;
• persons with visible and/or invisible (physical and/or mental) disabilities;
• persons who identify as women; and persons of marginalized sexual orientations, gender identities, and gender expressions

For questions or to request accommodations during your recruitment, onboarding or employment, please contact talentmanagement@regionofwaterloo.ca, or by calling our Service First Contact Centre at phone number (519) 575-4400.

Please note: candidates will be provided an update on their application. Please check your spam or junk folder occasionally as some candidates have noticed our emails in those folders (Gmail and Hotmail in particular).