Manager, Financial Planning & Budgeting

Strathmore is a vibrant, welcoming community that is recognized as a regional hub for business and recreation. Continued investment in recreation facilities, parks projects, commercial revitalization, and community programming provides an exceptional quality of life for our residents and visitors. Strathmore is in southern Alberta on the traditional lands of the Siksika Nation, surrounded by Wheatland County and a short distance east of Calgary.

The Town of Strathmore strives to be a leader in municipal administration and operations. Our team of experienced, engaged professionals deliver a diverse range of services and programs that continue to help us set new milestones for quality of life.

Position Summary : Reporting to the Senior Manager, Financial Services, the Manager, Financial Planning & Budgeting is a member of the Financial Services leadership team and contributes to the development of goals for the department and organization. This position leads the planning, development, and management of the organization’s capital and operating budget process, including internal financial reporting, and the development, implementation and monitoring of a financial planning model. In carrying out these responsibilities, this position provides strategic foresight and perspective to council and administration on the effective implementation of the corporate financial strategy.

Key Responsibilities Include : Leadership

• Facilitates an ‘open-door’ policy for employees and encourages a respectful workplace environment
• Maintains a working environment conducive to positive morale, creativity, and teamwork
• Coach and develop employees and ensure appropriate training and development is offered
• Lead the development, implementation, and improvement of processes, standards and policies, business plans and strategies for the finance team

Operational Responsibilities

• Develop and implement multi-year budget and financial planning systems and processes
• Knowledge of the organization’s departments, services, and budget revenue and expenditures
• Assist the strategic financial planning and development process, including the implementation and monitoring of a long-term financial plan
• Monitor allocation of revenue and expenses within approved departmental operating and capital budgets
• Collaborate with managers to investigate and identify new revenue generation and alternative funding sources and cost-containment initiatives
• Assist managers with development and preparation of business case analyses (new budget initiatives) for operating budget service requests and capital budget requests
• Provide support to all teams to identify non-productive or improved-productivity initiatives in operational areas
• Analyze financial and operational performance of programs and services
• Assist department managers to identify performance benchmarks and measures to achieve
• Forecast and project financial trends and performance measures
• Lead the internal financial reporting requirements of the organization, including the monthly reporting for Administration and the quarterly financial reporting to Council
• Work with the Manager of Financial Services to ensure that financial data is reviewed, balanced, and analyzed, and that corrections are made as required
• In collaboration with all area managers, develop and implement financial system and process improvements
• Prepare, submit, and manage all reporting requirements for each municipal grant program to ensure compliance with applicable rules and regulations
• Reconcile year-end information relating to deferred grant revenue, grant revenue receivable and grant revenue received
• Ensure that all work-related information is kept confidential as per the Town’s policy and in accordance with the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act
• Perform other duties and special projects as assigned

Required Qualifications :

• Post-secondary degree or diploma in finance, accounting, or commerce
• Canadian Accounting Designation is required (CPA)
• Five to ten years of progressive experience in a public sector setting, preferably in Municipal government
• Municipal government experience and an understanding of municipal accounting, property assessment, and reporting guidelines is preferred
• Solid understanding of annual budgets, forecasting, financial reporting, full cost recovery concepts, and long-term planning principles
• Comprehensive knowledge of accounting information systems (Great Plains/Diamond, Questica)
• Proven leadership in more progressive rolls for at least 3-5 years. Having the ability to perform at a managerial level including effective supervisory, coaching, mentoring, and human resource management
• Ability to keep informed of new trends, developments, legislation, and regulations impacting the financial activities of the municipality
• Ability to perform at a managerial level including effective supervisory, coaching, men