This is a temporary (18 month) position

As a Finance Business Partner, this role is key to maintaining the municipality’s financial health and strategic direction. Core responsibilities include accurate financial reporting, variance analysis, reconciliations, and transitioning work in progress to capitalization. The role also involves forecasting against council-approved budgets, managing funds and capital projects, and ensuring compliance with asset management and regulatory standards.

Acting as a trusted advisor, the Finance Business Partner supports department managers with budgeting and financial planning, fostering informed decision-making and operational efficiency. Through collaboration and clear communication, they promote financial accountability and drive sustainable growth, serving as a vital link between finance and operations.

KEY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Financial Analysis, Accounting & Reporting (30%)

• Conduct comprehensive financial analysis using various problem-solving methodologies to support decision-making processes across various departments within the municipality.
• Ensure accurate and timely financial accounting and reporting for all departments, adhering to regulatory standards and internal policies.
• Collaborate with department heads to develop and monitor departmental budgets, providing guidance and support as needed.
• Perform variance analysis to identify key drivers of financial performance and recommend corrective actions where necessary.
• Research and review grant opportunities, explain terms and conditions to relevant stakeholders, and ensure compliance with financial reporting requirements. Prepare and present financial reports and insights to departmental stakeholders and senior management, facilitating informed decision-making.
• Provide training and guidance to departmental staff on financial policies, procedures, and systems to ensure compliance and accuracy in financial reporting.
• Proactively identify opportunities for process improvement and automation within the financial accounting and reporting function.
• Maintain a deep understanding of municipal financial regulations, accounting standards, and best practices to ensure compliance and mitigate financial risks.
• Responsible for financial year-end activities including accounting, reserve usage reconciliations, operating carryforwards, working paper development, and addressing auditor inquiries.

Business Partner Program (30%)

• Builds good working relationships at all levels across the organization and establishes respect and confidence in the information and quality of advice provided.
• Provides fiscal oversight, financial reporting, accounting, and budget services to assigned divisions within the County.
• Provides advice, direction, and expertise to management for consistent implementation and use of corporate bylaws, policies, processes, guidelines, and tools in order to maintain integrity, safeguard corporate assets, and mitigate risk.
• Work with client groups to assist with accurate and timely budget, forecast and variance analysis.
• Advises on the implementation of operating and capital procedures, processes and reporting to ensure alignment with corporate objectives, procedures, and processes in the management of operating and capital accounting for County projects and programs.
• Holds responsibility for preparing and facilitating monthly management meetings providing insights into their financial activity, collecting financial information, and observing any significant areas of interest to inform leadership and Council through the County’s financial reporting framework.
• Collaborates with management and staff to provide financial expertise in areas including budgeting, forecasting, coding, contracting, and other financial decision-making and analysis.

Budget & Financial Planning (15%)

• Understands key financial and operational drivers of performance and integrates these into financial model for analysis and forecasting advice in order to assess progress being made toward financial goals and objectives.
• Assists with departmental operating budget development department review of base budget submissions for operations prior to fall each year.
• Completes variance reviews of projected revenues and reports to treasury and financial planning team.
• Acts as a liaison for significant changes to department managers for operating budgets.

Other Related Duties (25%)

• Supports internal and external special projects as assigned by management (financial systems, controls, processes, research, etc.)
• Provides coverage within the department for finance and accounting activities as required.
• Reads, researches, creates, and understands policies, directives, procedures, bylaws, meeting minutes, software manuals, and relevant work-related legislation.
• Remains current on relevant accounting standards, internal processes, procedures, policies, bylaws, and Municipal Government Act requirements that may be relative to the finance team and communicate as necessary.
• Adheres to applicable responsibilities and accountabilities as outlined in the Sturgeon County Health and Safety Management System.

KNOWLEDGE, EDUCATION, QUALIFICATIONS, SKILLS, ABILITIES, AND EXPERIENCE

The following are required in this position:

• Bachelor’s degree in an accounting related field and a 5 years’ work experience or working towards an accounting or finance designation with 2 years of work experience.
• Knowledge of Public Sector Accounting Standard, Municipal Government Act, internal control structures, and a general ability to interpret and communicate external agency requirements (ex. Grants, etc.).
• Proficiency in project costing and fund management.
• Comprehensive understanding of full cycle budgeting, accounting, and reporting processes and practices.
• Ability to work in a team environment or independently.
• Ability to take initiative, be independent, resourceful, work well and effectively under pressure and meet deadlines in an organized manner.
• Ability to communicate clearly and professionally verbally and in writing, including being adaptable, receptive, and timely when communicating with others.
• Strong public relation problem solving skills.
• Ability to deal with confidential information with a high degree of diplomacy.
• Ability to analyze issues, including applying problem solving skills and ability to provide recommended solutions.
• Detail oriented with figures, excellent mathematical skills.
• Proficiency when using all Microsoft Office Programs (Excel, Word, and PowerPoint, etc.).

The following are considered assets or preferences in this position:

• A financial or accounting designation (ex. CPA, CMA, CA, CGA, CFE, etc.)