CORPORATE ACCOUNTING ASSISTANT 1

Job Description

As a member of the Revenue Services team, reporting to the Supervisor, Operational Accounting & Financial Reporting, the Corporate Accounting Assistant 1 is responsible for coordination of the day-to-day operations of the unit.

Major Responsibilities: 

• Provides work direction, training, guidance, motivation, and support to any assigned staff ensuring that an appropriate level of competence, service and performance is being met.
• Assists in coordinating, monitoring, and controlling the assigned workflow, ensuring adherence to relevant legislation, City by-laws, policies, procedures, and practices. Ensures the assigned work is completed in an accurate and timely manner.
• Analyzes, reconciles, and monitors the City’s more complex general ledger and related accounts.
• Reconciles, analyzes, and prepares working papers to assist with the preparation of the Corporation's annual financial statements, Provincial Financial Information Return and other financial and statistical reports.
• Researches and analyzes financial information to ensure the timely preparation of financial statements.
• Monitors to ensure internal controls are followed in accordance with City By-laws (financial control by-law) and policies.
• Prepares, reviews and posts journal entries.
• Approves and posts other assigned journal entries prepared by others.
• Reviews financial system reports to identify potential errors and omissions and takes corrective action.
• Prepares statements for reporting to management, departments, and other organizations.
• Creates/executes ad hoc financial system reports for analysis purposes.
• Assists in the preparation of monthly budget variance reports relating to non-program revenues/expenses for the division.
• Assists in the preparation of accruals and other estimates.
• Provides advice to departments with respect to cost and revenue allocations to accounts, cost centres and projects.
• Provides advice and guidance when directing other revenue/accounting staff.
• Coordinates and/or leads divisional projects and assignments as required.
• Monitors relevant Provincial statutes and regulations, City by-laws and/or Council direction, agreements for any changes.
• Coordinates the set up of appropriate cost elements, costs centres and capital projects.
• Develops performance measures/benchmarks and monitors results with divisions.
• Liaises with all levels of staff and other divisions such as Accounting Division, IT Representatives, Legal Division, Internal/External Auditors, elected officials, public, and other external contacts.
• Attends divisional and inter-divisional meetings to provide/exchange information and/or discuss the resolution of issues.
• Provides input into the design of databases.
• Develops and writes computer reports using corporate financial software.
• Participates in the design and development of new corporate accounting procedures and policies.
• Assists in the documentation of policies and procedures for the unit, ensuring each is documented, maintained, and executed in a consistent and expeditious manner.
• Tests system enhancements, advises Supervisor of test results and assists with implementation.
• Responds to and follows up on inquiries/complaints, and takes appropriate action as required.
• Assists to ensure compliance with governmental legislation in the area of Occupational Health and Safety.

Key Qualifications:

Your application must describe your qualifications as they relate to:

1. Present enrollment towards the CPA Professional designation and/or the equivalent combination of education and/or experience.
2. Extensive work experience in a large public or private sector accounting environment.
3. Extensive experience with computer-based accounting systems (i.e. SAP).
4. Extensive experience with Microsoft Office Suite (e.g. MS Excel, MS Word, and MS Access).
5. Experience in providing work direction, motivation, training, guidance, and support to staff.

You must also have:

• Excellent organizational, and multi-tasking skills with the ability to work independently with minimum supervision, prioritize work schedules, plan and execute assigned duties within timelines.
• Advanced analytical, interpersonal, conflict resolution and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, with various levels of staff within the City and other organizations.
• Ability to conduct detailed analysis with minimum supervision, within tight deadlines.
• Knowledge of the preparation of municipal financial statements.
• Knowledge of municipal accounting principles and practices.
• Knowledge of Public Sector Accounting Board (PSAB) standards.
• Advanced knowledge of financial and internal controls.
• Proficiency in the use of corporate database report writers (i.e. Microsoft Access, InfoMaker, etc.).
• Knowledge in municipal taxation, water, parking/traffic violation and property assessment policies, procedures, legislations, regulations, and municipal by-laws that would be relevant to this position. 
• Familiarity with government legislation in the area of Occupational Health & Safety.