Role Responsibilities

The Ministry of Affordability and Utilities is looking for an Accounting Officer.

This position is central to the effective delivery of financial services across all divisions and branches of the ministry, with a particular emphasis on supporting the department’s executive offices, including the Minister’s Office, Deputy Minister’s Office and Assistant Deputy Minister (ADM) Offices. The incumbent will lead and support the efficient execution of financial operations. Key responsibilities include performing complex general accounting functions, fulfilling the Accounting Officer role, providing strategic financial advice and overseeing year-end financial processes. A strong focus is placed on effective communication and collaboration with both finance and non-finance stakeholders to enhance understanding and transparency of financial practices. Additionally, the role involves building capacity by mentoring staff, reinforcing financial accountability and strengthening the ministry’s internal financial management framework.

Job Responsibilities:

• Outstanding communications skills with the ability to engage stakeholders at all levels from team members to senior executives. 
• Ensures that the Accounting Officer function is properly discharged for the Department and that disbursements comply with all government and departmental policies and are completed accurately and within timelines. 
• Reviews accounts payable transactions including contract and grant payments, and related business partner setups, stop payments, cheque replacements, etc. to ensure proper accounting.
• Provides advanced financial advisory services to program areas, with a specific focus of supporting the department executive offices (Minister's Office, Deputy Minister's Office, and ADM Offices).
• Provides comprehensive and measured support to department executive offices, including contextual understanding of all public disclosures, for pre-approval/review, supporting documentation requirements, expense disbursement, and external reporting (year-end reporting, public disclosures, and publicly available audit reports).
• Ensures all general accounting activities and transactions are accurately recorded and reported. 
• Processes and allocates inter-unit charges from other ministries including Service Alberta and Red Tape Reduction, Technology and Innovation, and Treasury Board and Finance (Crown Debt Collection and RMI Insurance Premiums) Shared Service billing.
• Supports other Financial Services Branch staff and provide leadership to program area staff for the year-end activities to ensure compliance with policies, procedures, and timelines.
• Researches, designs, investigates, resolves and provides general support of the various financial systems and processes ensuring that department staff are well supported and that adequate controls are in place and adhered to. i.e., 1GX, Procurement card, Expense Claims, fleet management and EPS.
   

For a copy of the full job description, please visit this link.

APS Competencies

Competencies are behaviors that are essential to reach our goals in serving Albertans. We encourage you to have an in depth understanding of the competencies that are required for this opportunity and to be prepared to demonstrate them during the recruitment process.

This link will assist you with understanding competencies: https://www.alberta.ca/system/files/custom_downloaded_images/psc-alberta-public-service-competency-model.pdf.

Drive for Results – Provides financial reviews and communication with non-financial colleagues which are required to be appropriate and accurate while remaining cognizant of the various regulations, directives and policies.

Agility – Adapt to shifting priorities and deadlines particularly regarding compliance pre-reviews and payment reviews for the Expenditure Officer approval. The role is largely policy and process-driven and opportunities to improve efficiencies is encouraged.

Creative Problem Solving – Assesses data received summarizing this data into a presentable format for review and in support of decision-making regarding efficiency and effectiveness improvements. Creative Problem Solving is required to prioritize key data points and identifying methods to appropriately present information to non-financial colleagues.

Systems Thinking – Provides executive office information and trends which is used to support internal decision making. In addition, this data is relied upon to monitor the uptake and effectiveness of compliance with policies and results in strategic next step decisions.

Develop Networks – Work alongside a wide range of stakeholders both internal and external. Internal stakeholders include Financial Services Branch, department Executive Offices and staff in other branches. External stakeholders includes inquires arising from Public Disclosures.
 

Qualifications

Required:

• University graduation in Accounting, Business, Economics, Commerce or Management or other related field plus three years of related experience as described below:

Equivalency

• Related diploma in Accounting, Business, Economics, Commerce or Management or other related field plus five years directly related experience.
• Accounting designation and one-year additional related experience.

Assets:

• Professional accounting designation - Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA) is preferred.
• Possess outstanding written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to convey complex information clearly and concisely to diverse audiences, including senior executives, stakeholders and non-financial staff.
• Strong knowledge of financial Chart Fields (Cost Centers, Account Codes, Fund Codes, etc.) and how to apply them to financial operations.
• Working knowledge of government financial policies, procedures, acts and regulations including the Financial Administration Act and Treasury Board directives.
• Working knowledge of accounting principles, accounting processes including purchasing, accounts payable, accounts receivable, cash receipts and revenues, general ledger, payroll, etc.
• Working knowledge of financial systems including 1GX (SAP-based ERP), Expense Claims, Procurement Cards, fleet management and Electronic Payment System.
• Working knowledge of government financial management systems, business planning, budgeting, forecasting processes as well as audit principles and internal controls.

Minimum recruitment standards outline the minimum education and experience required for appointment to a job classification. Refer to https://www.alberta.ca/alberta-public-service-minimum-recruitment-standards.
 

Notes

A cover letter must accompany your application and should indicate how your experience aligns with the behavioral competencies of the role you are applying for. This cover letter may be used to assess your communication abilities.

In your resume, please include dates (including months and years) associated with all education and work experience. As well, please indicate whether your work experience is casual, part-time or full-time. For example, January 15, 2022 - June 25, 2023: Assistant (PT three 8 hrs. shifts/week).

Candidates with lesser qualifications may be considered at a lower classification and salary. This competition may be used to fill future roles at the same or lower classifications.

Final candidates will be required to undergo a security screening. All costs associated with the recruitment process including documentation fees and travel expenses are the candidate’s responsibility. If documentation is requested from an applicant, out-of-province applicants can obtain the documents requested from the province they reside in.

What we offer:

• Working for the Alberta Public Service – https://www.alberta.ca/advantages-working-for-alberta-public-service.aspx
• Public Service Pension Plan (PSPP) – https://www.pspp.ca
• Alberta Public Service Benefit Information – https://www.alberta.ca/alberta-public-service-benefits
• Professional learning and development – https://www.alberta.ca/professional-development-support-directive
• Research Alberta Public Service Careers tool – https://researchapscareers.alberta.ca
• Positive workplace culture and work-life balance
• Opportunity to participate in flexible work arrangements such as working from home up to two days per week and modified work schedule agreement
• Leadership and mentorship programs