Job Specification

Purpose :

To provide financial analysis, advice and guidance for the Family Responsibility Office's (FRO) external bank account and internal accounting processes and develop strategies for implementing new accountability reporting procedures and controls.
To research and develop new financial analytical practices and processes in order to strengthen the management of FRO's financial transactions and external bank accounts.
To lead/participate in special projects/initiatives, client consultations, committees and work groups.

Key Responsibilities :

Financial Analysis and Research
Provides financial analysis, research and evaluation for the administration of the FRO's external banking services and internal accounting processes consistent with accounting and auditing principles, legislative requirements and business direction of the program.
Researches and analyzes the banks transactions of individual depositors and recipients of the funds and identify and report to Branch management any anomalies and systemic barriers to achieving an even flow of funds from the payers and to the recipients.
Participates in analytical reviews including the assessment and analysis of current audit/oversight controls in place for FRO's banking operations and develop response, recommendations/ proposals for enhancements and additional controls in response to review by oversight bodies such as the Provincial Auditor.
Analyzes and advises Branch management on emerging financial issues and trends relating to the FRO's external bank account and financial processes. Performs special financial studies/comparative analysis of program operations and initiatives. Develops plans, creates policies and makes recommendations to implement effective reporting and control mechanisms in consideration of accepted accounting principles, other family support maintenance enforcement programs and the FRO's unique accountabilities for clients' funds.
Financial Accounting Advice
Provides advice to the division in planning changes/improvements to the FRO's banking agreements with banking partner regarding the banks account operation processes /procedures and financial controls systems and develop strategies for implementing new accountability reporting procedures and controls.
Leads and/or participates in the reconciliation of FRO's financial transactions and develop strategies and program proposals to test, implement, document and report on new accountability reporting procedures and controls, including recommendations for proposed changes and adaptations to the FRO's accounting system.
Development of Financial Policies/Procedures and Processes
Research and develops new financial analytical practices and processes for managing and reconciling financial transactions, cash flow through accounts in the private sector and delivery models in other jurisdictions in order to support decision making and enhance the management of FRO's financial transactions and external bank accounts.
Prepare, coordinate and review financial reports (such as Performance Measures, RbP notes, briefing materials etc) for presentation to senior management; develops options, cost projections, cost benefit analysis and recommendations/financial solutions in order to support management decision making
Undertakes projects to research develop test and implement changes to FRO's accounting systems, reporting systems, internal auditing, financial controls, general ledger, banking agreements and other processes.
Stakeholder Liaison/Consultation and Issues
Leads and/or participates in the monitoring of agreement with the FRO's external banking service provider including negotiating/development of RFP terms and specification for the banking services, identifying banking/contract issues and developing options/recommend solutions for speedy resolution of issues.
Establishes consultation mechanisms with management/staff across ministries, other jurisdictions, private sector stakeholders, provincial and municipal social services delivery agents and financial institutions.
Develops reports and drafts briefing materials to senior management and the minister on issue, options and progress made in developing improved controls for banking operations and steps being taken in response to reviews by oversight bodies.
Prepares briefing materials and provide briefing materials to ministry senior management on critical issues/challenges impacting the programs/initiatives.
Participates on FRO's committees, working groups, client consultations and task forces; keeps abreast of new developments and techniques in assigned areas and develops recommendations accordingly.

Knowledge / Skill :

Knowledge of and skills in:
Financial management principles and procedures; financial analysis, accounting and auditing principles in order to provide expertise, advice and technical guidance to the division and to participate in researching/developing policies, procedures and related control and monitoring programs/initiatives.
Government and ministry accounting policies/procedures, methodologies, revenue/expenditure management principles, accountability framework mechanisms and ability to understand and apply relevant legislation in order to lead financial accounting improvement/accountability processes and audit control activities.
Government program and policy development, evaluation and monitoring processes to develop, test and implement policies and procedures and analyze impact of policies on programs and initiatives and provide recommendations/options to senior management for decision making; Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) in order to provide expertise in research and development
Project planning and organizational skills to lead project teams, and prioritize work.
Research and analytical methods and techniques in order to apply financial principles/policies and procedures in monitoring analyzing and reporting on actual and potential expenditures/controllership requirements of the Division and to recommend solutions to complex problems.
Oral and written communication skills to prepare complex reports, papers and briefing materials and to provide advice and recommendations to senior management.
Computer software and operating skills including word processing and spread sheets in order to conduct research and data analysis, prepare reports, briefing materials and other presentations.

Interpersonal / Influencing Skill :

Advisory and presentation skills to keep managers apprised of issues; explain policies/procedures and simplify complex data into clear concise recommendation for senior management decision making.
Presentation skills to prepare and present reports, briefings to senior management.
Advisory skills to provide program related advice to ADM's office, corporate branches, and regional offices across the Ministry.
Consultation/ collaboration skills to lead consultations, resolve conflicting interests and priorities with stakeholders who may have opposing needs/positions with regard to ministry policies/programs and to develop and maintain effective working relationships.

Analyzing / Problem Solving Skill :

Analyzing and problem-solving skills to:
Research, analyze and interpret financial information to identify issues and develop policies/procedures and processes to improve efficiencies.
Conduct financial analysis and assessment of FRO's controllership and expenditure requirements in order to develop policies/procedures for business improvement and financial controllership programs/initiatives.
Anticipate and resolve potentially conflicting interests/priorities with respect to programs/initiatives; identify stakeholder concerns/issues and provide guidance recommendation/options in order to resolve problems.
Monitor Divisional expenditures/controllership requirements, internal accounting operations and conduct research in order to develop, test and implement policies/procedures

Decision Making / Responsibility :

Responsible for:
Providing financial expertise and technical guidance and advice to the Division in support of program delivery improvement.
Conducting accounting research and evaluations on FRO's external banking services and internal accounting operations in order to implement effective financial controllership and support program delivery improvement.
Leading/participating in the research and development of policies and procedures for the FRO/Division accounting controls, operational improvement, including financial management and related audit programs.
Has latitude to: determine methods of research and recommend policies and procedures that will enable the implementation of effective financial controllership in support of program delivery and improvements.
Work is performed under the direction of the Manager, and within the framework of the relevant government legislation, recognized financial management and accepted accounting policies/practices, guidelines and standards with access to specialists in the ministry for advice.

Contacts / Stakeholder :

Management and staff across the Division to obtain/gather information on operational problems, issues/concerns; conduct interviews in order to research, analyze and clarify financial information/practices.
Senior management in order to develop materials for briefings and presentations; colleagues in other ministries to exchange information and share ideas regarding developments in modern accounting, banking controls/auditing and financial accountability and transparency.
FRO's external banking service providers and other financial institutions to discuss and negotiate joint initiatives, research best practices, exchange information and share ideas regarding financial accountability /transparency and accounting policies/procedures.

Guidance / Supervision :

Provides expertise, guidance and coaching to team members and advice /consultation to staff of the Division.

Demands / Pressures :

Work Demands :

Frequently required to concurrently satisfy competing and changing work demands of senior divisional management, other ministry partners and regional offices. Work in the position involves limited control over the pace of work as work assigned is based on priorities and may require working beyond normal hours to meet tight deadlines.

Mental / Sensory :

Frequently requires periods of intense concentration to conduct research for the development of policies and procedures; analyze and prepare documents involving complex financial analysis.

Conditions / Environment :

Work is performed in a typical office environment.