About Us

At the Nova Scotia Department of Finance and Treasury Board, we strive to provide financial leadership, analysis, and policies that strengthen Nova Scotia. As stewards of the province’s financial affairs, we deliver a wide range of corporate fiscal and management services.
 

Our eight Financial Advisory Services (FAS) units work directly with departments, crown corporations, and other public service entities, providing valuable support in budgeting, forecasting, and offering a range of program-related financial advice. We are continuously seeking new and innovative ways to improve how we plan, manage, budget, and invest.
 

This competition will be used to fill multiple Permanent, Term, Temporary and Casual FSO 2 opportunities over the next few months. Opportunities will be in the following locations: Halifax.

About Our Opportunity

The role is responsible for the preparation and interpretive analysis of financial reports required by Senior Management. The position also involves providing advice and recommendations to budget and cost centre managers within government departments regarding the administration of their financial resources. The role is responsible for identifying financial implications of existing and proposed programs and activities and to help with solutions and options of financial and accounting issues. Most importantly, the incumbent is a key resource and is responsible for supporting the monthly forecasting and annual budget processes and assisting in the preparation of Minister and Deputy Minister’s briefing materials. The successful candidate will support other Financial Advisory Services staff and FAS clients, providing sound financial advice on how best to strategically utilize the Department’s resources, both human and financial. The finance team and clients rely on you to provide accurate and timely support so they can make informed decisions relating to responsible allocations of these resources. Through investigation and analysis of data, you will provide guidance to management in a way that allows them to make informed decisions.

Primary Accountabilities

• Prepare, analyze, and input data for expenditure forecasts, including revenues, fees, recoveries, and salaries, while providing accurate and timely variance analysis.
• Prepare or review accounts payable and receivable documents, including the preparation, submission, analysis, and reconciliation of claims for cost-shared programs.
• Assists with the preparation of the annual departmental / client budget.
• Compile the monthly forecast comparison report detailing changes in the Department’s budget.
• Preparation and analysis of trends and recommendations.
• Supports the month-end and year-end accounting processes.
• Assists with the design, modification, and updating of various reports as required by senior management.
• Responsible for timely updates of the corporate salary analysis software system.
• Responsible for distribution and receipt of forecast and other financial reports.

Qualifications and Experience

This may be the right opportunity for you if you have successfully completed three years of post-secondary accounting training, plus five years of related experience (or an acceptable equivalent of training and experience).

You have experience providing accurate budgeting, forecasting or other detailed financial advice to clients. Your strengths include having the ability to analyze large volumes of information and produce concise, relevant, and timely reports. You can articulate financial information in a way that is readily understood by non-financial users. You possess exceptional judgement and problem-solving skills, being able to accurately interpret information and determine an appropriate course of action. You thrive working independently and possess sound time management and organizational skills, strategically managing multiple deadlines.

You are proficient in programs such as Office 365 (Excel, Word, Outlook), enterprise resource planning systems, and the internet, and the ability to quickly learn custom applications is required. Direct experience with SAP would be considered an asset. You enjoy learning new computer systems which allow you to find ways to streamline processes while maintaining business requirements and meeting tight deadlines.

We will assess the above qualifications and competencies using one or more of the following tools: written examination, standardized tests, oral presentations, interview(s), and reference checks.

Equivalency

Applicants relying on education and experience equivalencies must demonstrate such equivalencies in their application.

Benefits

Based on the employment status and union agreement, the Government of Nova Scotia offers its employees a wide range of benefits such as a Defined Benefit Pension Plan, Health, Dental, Life Insurance, General illness, Short and Long Term Disability, Vacation and Employee and Family Assistance Programs.  For information on all our Benefit program offerings, click here: Benefits for government employees.

Working Conditions

• Normal work week is 35 hours/week, 7 hours/day
• Some overtime work required
• Dynamic continuously evolving work environment

Additional Information

This posting will be used to fill multiple positions (Permanent, Term, Temporary, and Casual). The appointment status (‘term’, ‘temporary’ or ‘casual’) is dependent on the start date and end date of the successful candidate.

What We Offer

• Career Development where you have access to career guidance, tools, resources, and ongoing training for every stage of your career
• Engaging workplace: our Employees feel valued, respected, connected, and tuned in, we have forward-thinking policies and strategies
• Countless career paths
• Department specific flexible working schedule