Senior Financial Consultant
Location
Halifax, NS | Canada
Job description
Primary Function
Under the supervision of the Manager of Finance, this position will focus on broad fiscal issues closely related to the operating budget, capital budget, reserves, and debt including financial planning, sustainability, and longer-term impacts. A primary function will include providing financial analysis at both strategic and operational levels.
As an integral member of the Finance team, the Senior Financial Consultant ensures that generally accepted accounting principles are adhered to within the organization, Halifax Water Policies are followed, and outcomes contained in business and strategic plans are supported.
Duties & Responsibilities
- Assist in coordinating and planning the annual operating budget cycle, including preparation of templates and training materials, analysis of inputs, preparation of reports, provide support to budget managers, develop options to balance budgets and implement change.
- Coordinate annual and multi-year budgets for operating revenue, non-operating revenue, depreciation, and non-operating expenses (debt servicing).
- Work with Engineering and Technology Services (Eng & TS) to develop funding strategies for the capital budget that align with short term and long-term operating budgets.
- Provide financial analysis and recommendations for different staffing issues and support for union negotiations.
- Assist in the preparation of funding claims associated with special funding (such as Federal/Provincial infrastructure grants).
- Coordinate Information Requests (IRs) from the NSUARB relating to capital budget queries, rate applications and other operational applications.
- Assist with the development of financial models for rate applications and business plans and provide support for rate applications submitted for approval to the Nova Scotia Utility and Review Board (NSUARB), and other regulatory matters. Including responding to IRs, supporting panel members and/or participating on panel to provide expert testimony.
- Monitor corporate forecast projections, investigate and analyze changes from budget and provide updates to management as required. Work with business units to identify options for dealing with changes, including identifying revenue sources, identifying cost savings, including adjustments to staffing.
- Develop forecasting techniques to identify variances that will assist with decision making.
- Actively participates on internal committees as a representative of Corporate Services to provide technical support and advice as required on financial matters.
- Assists in the development and oversight of key financial policies and processes so as to advance the organization’s strategic interests. The work impacts Operating and Capital Budgets, Reserves, Debt, staffing plans and Halifax Water’s Strategic Initiatives.
- Ensures that processes are improved and maintained to enable collection and analysis of information on a variety of key operational and capital issues. Identifies need for analysis and carries out or coordinates research, as required and prepares effective recommendations for action by the management team.
- Keeps abreast of program, business and strategic trends and seeks opportunities to assist Halifax Water to improve efficiency. Identifies and researches best practices and processes problems and identifies strategies and solutions to implement at Halifax Water.
- Carries out analysis and costing of alternatives in support of corporate decision-making such as labour costs, union contract negotiations, lease versus buy decisions, new initiatives, special projects, or other financing considerations.
- Prepares and makes presentations to Halifax Water staff, senior leadership, and the Halifax Water Board or the sub-committees, as required.
- Supports internal and external auditors in assessing financial controls, preparing analysis and financial reports required for audits.
Minimum Qualifications
Education and Experience
Education:
- Post-secondary degree in business, public administration or related field
- A professional accounting designation would be an asset.
Education:
- Five years of broad financial management experience and analyzing financial information, preferably in a utility or customer-oriented operation
- Experience in project leadership, participation in projects as a professional finance resource or policy development and research.
- Experience in leading change.
Certificates/Licenses/Registrations:
Must be willing to undertake and maintain the following safety training:
- First Aid
- Globally Harmonized System (GHS) (Formerly WHMIS)
- Additional safety training as identified based on legislative and operational requirements.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
- Excellent computer skills including: keyboarding skills, proficiency in Office 365 products (Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint), and experience with enterprise resource planning (ERP) software.
- Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively (verbal and written) and work within a team environment (internally and externally) to accomplish organizational goals.
- Ability to organize and prioritize work, handle a heavy workload, work under pressure, and meet established deadlines. Demonstrates ability to manage change and adapt to the situation.
- Excellent time management skills, with a high degree of accuracy and confidentiality being primary requirements.
- Strong problem-solving, research, analysis, and policy development skills with keen attention to detail.
- Ability to work outside “normal business hours” e.g. during deadline driven initiatives.
- Professional level knowledge of financial records and systems, budget and planning tools and methods, with demonstrated ability to apply this knowledge to operations.
- Sound knowledge of business case analysis, corporate financial modelling, advanced computer skills and the latest financial management technology.
How to Apply
Completed cover letters and application forms [PDF] or resumes, stating Competition #HW24-23E must be received by 4:30 p.m., March 8, 2024. Please forward to:
Mail
- Halifax Water
HR Department
P.O. Box 8388, RPO CSC
Halifax, NS
B3K 5M1
Fax
Email
Please note: Only applicants invited for an interview will be contacted.
Conditional Items Required for Employment:
- Satisfactory background check
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Halifax Water is an equal opportunity employer.
Halifax Water’s goal is to be a diverse workforce that is representative of the community we serve, at all job levels. Halifax Water believes a diverse workforce positively contributes to its success, and the success of our community. We encourage applications from qualified African Nova Scotians, LGBTQ+ community, racially visible persons, women in non-traditional positions, persons with disabilities and Indigenous persons. Halifax Water encourages applicants to self-identify in the cover letter.
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