Job Specification

Purpose of Position :

To manage ministry Integrated Financial Information System (IFIS) and serve as a key liaison between the ministry, Ministry of Finance (MOF) and Ministry of Government Services (MGS) regarding the government's corporate-wide financial system and related financial policies, processes and procedures. To provide leadership for the ministry's Chart of Accounts, to develop and administer an effective appropriation expenditure and revenue control framework and transfer of information in support of client needs, ministry strategic direction and Central Agency requirements. To provide financial advice to senior management in the ministry. To assure ministry understanding, participation, compliance and reporting in setting and meeting government-wide financial policies and standards.

Duties / Responsibilities :

Under the overall direction of the Controller and Manager Corporate Finance Manager co-ordinates the accounting framework, accounting policies workflow management and ministry financial systems within the ministry. E.g. Accounting for Capital Assets, Acts as a ministry authority and contact in relation to the financial management accounting, financial reporting and financial control functions, including providing advice related to policies, and best practices. Preparation of special financial reports and responses to papers, questions and information requests.
E.g. special reports for fraud investigations, financial analysis of a district's transactions, responds to financial information needs of provincial and external auditors.
1. Co-ordinates the development and implementation of ministry financial control initiatives for example Chart of Accounts changes; organizes the communication with and training of ministry staff pertaining to the implementation of new initiatives; supports the Certificate of Assurance process.
2. Manages the communication of financial accountabilities, roles and responsibilities to ministry staff, including monitoring the financial delegation of authority structure, training of staff and maintenance of up-to-date financial signing authorities. E.g. delegation of authority manual for spending authorities, banking system
3. Provides management, leadership, direction, and support to Financial Officers and other technical staff and consultants that are providing the delivery of financial responsibilities and services to all Ministry program areas across the province.
4. Manages section staff including recruitment and selection, analysing and recommending resources requirements, provision of training and staff development, assignment of work, determining performance standards and conducting reviews, addressing performance shortfalls, handling labour relations matters.
5. Manages and co-ordinates the accounting and financial reporting for both internal and external requirements; includes ministry's Public Accounts, monthly and quarterly Office of the Provincial Controller (OPC) reports such as Hard Close and quarterly revenue reports;
6. Serves as a ministry representative for inter-ministry projects and committees or as a branch representative on ministry committees.

Knowledge :

Position requires thorough knowledge of Management Board policies, directives and guidelines, the Financial Administration Act, other applicable corporate legislation, OPC & MOF policy and procedures, cash and accrual accounting methodologies, revenue and expenditure management principles, public sector accounting requirements, financial analysis technologies, bank/trust account administration and management functions. Position requires expert knowledge of the government's financial system and the ministry's financial sub-systems, e.g.. Project-Accounting Position requires a detailed knowledge of financial reporting, quality assurance principles and practices, audit mechanisms in order to ensure reports and financial statements are certifiable.
Position requires advanced consulting, interpersonal and communication skills (oral and written) to provide leadership advice and recommendations to senior management staff, training sessions and committees and to find and build consensus both between ministry program needs and Central Agency requirements. Position requires refined managerial, organizational and administrative skills to plan, manage and co-ordinate staff resources to lead financial and/or system changes, and to work effectively within the section.
The position requires HR management skills to supervise and develop staff. Good knowledge of Public Service Act of Ontario and Collective Agreements.
The above knowledge is normally acquired through a recognized accounting designation and years of experience in a variety of financial/auditing positions.

Judgement :

Work is performed under the general direction of the Controller and Manager of Corporate Finance and within the broad framework of Central Agency directives and guidelines, the Financial Administration Act as well as other relevant legislation. E.g.; Fish and Wildlife Conservation Act – re: Special Purpose Accounts, OPS financial systems, processes and procedures and ministry policies, procedures and systems. Judgement is exercised in monitoring ministry financial transactions and trends, taking prompt action in identifying and solving emerging problems (e.g. vote and item running out of funds,), providing advice for the accounting treatment of various transactions (e.g. expenditure refunds, netting of revenue against expenditures), in advising ministry management on a wide variety of matters related to financial issues, business process changes and best financial and accounting practices. E.g. accrual versus cash basis of accounting, accounting for fixed assets, Chart of Accounts design to capture ministry information needs. Judgement is exercised in approving ministry payments through MOF, in preparing the ministry's public accounts, in advising the Deputy Minister for the annual certification of the ministry's financial transactions. Judgement is also exercised in reviewing and approving documents for processing by Ontario Shared Services (OSS) and in representing ministry concerns and interests to Central Agencies and other ministries. E.g. financial practices and systems development, ministry access to financial data regarding the government's financial information system (IFIS). Judgement is exercised in, developing standard and special financial reports, dealing with issues raised by external and internal clients. E.g. reconciliation Public Accounts to Public disclosure website on travel. The position is expected to use extensive initiative and judgement in planning, developing and managing a complex and diverse work program; to deal with staff motivation, training and other staff issues, project assignments and to meet tight legislative deadlines and senior management demands. E.g. Public Accounts deadline, Freedom of Informatin and Protection of Privacy Act (FIPPA) requests, fraud information. Judgement is required in recruiting staff, evaluating staff
performance and in dealing with labour relations issues.

Accountability - Programs :

Leading the planning, development, implementation and management of a variety of financial management functions within the ministry, including financial authority frameworks and structures (banking system, spending and payment authorities), the ministry's Chart of Accounts, expenditures and revenue funds control framework and processes, ministry financial sub-systems, financial reports (e.g. Public Accounts), training and compliance monitoring. The incumbent ensures legislative and Central Agency reporting deadlines are met, and ensures the quality and utility of advice and recommendations to senior management, helps safeguard ministry interests

Accountability – Personnel :

The position directly supervises 6 staff and a number of ongoing ministry and inter-ministry projects. E.g. Changes to OPS wide accounting policies

Accountability - Finance and Materials :

Leading the planning, development, implementation and management of a variety of financial management functions within the ministry, including financial authority frameworks and structures (banking system, spending and payment authorities), the ministry's Chart of Accounts, expenditures and revenue funds control framework and processes, ministry financial sub-systems, financial reports (e.g. Public Accounts), training and compliance monitoring. The incumbent ensures legislative and Central Agency reporting deadlines are met, and ensures the quality and utility of advice and recommendations to senior management, helps safeguard ministry interests


Accountable for ensuring compliance with legislative financial requirements; provides timely professional guidance in managing the ministry's funds control function (legislative appropriations cannot be exceeded). The position is accountable for overall security of the ministry's financial systems

Accountability - Impact of Errors :

Failure to meet legislative and central agency deadlines will lead to management and political embarrassment; lack of sound financial policies, practices and controls could result in major financial losses, fraud, criticism and censure. Poor management of the “funds control process” within the ministry may result in the inability to deliver ministry programs, the loss of spending authority for the ministry and Central Agency constraints on the ministry. Failure to maintain ministry financial system and accounting operations may result in external client dissatisfaction, political embarrassment and censure

Contact - Internal :

Regularly with ministry senior management to provide advice and briefings regarding a host of financial issues (e.g. funds control issues, impacts of IFIS on ministry Chart of Accounts, program information needs, business processes, costs, fraud investigations, activity based accounting, etc); frequently with ministry management staff and committees to provide leadership, direction and training regarding financial budgets, new systems, and financial performance and compliance requirements. Regularly with Central Agencies and inter-ministry committees to represent the ministry, address new business practices (IFIS), input to financial policy developments, negotiate joint strategies and solutions (OSS and the accountable advance account); the provincial auditor regarding ministry financial accounts and systems; internal auditors (IAD) regarding special reports and internal audit needs.

Contact - External :

Regularly , banks regarding ministry banking system (DR/CR Cards, bank accounts, signing authorities, etc), Royal Trust regarding trust funds, external service delivery agents such as the Ontario Fish Producers Association for the accounting and collection of Commercial Fish Royalties, with Federal Agencies such as Statistics Canada; with external auditors (e.g. Public Account auditors) regarding special reports and financial information requirements, and the general public/press regarding information requests.