Coordinator, Operational Accounting (Financial Services Officer 3)

Government of Nova Scotia; Halifax; On-site; CAD 68,000 - 80,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Career development

Engaged workplace

Forward-thinking policies

Career paths

Job summary

Government of Nova Scotia is seeking a Coordinator, Operational Accounting to lead a team delivering transactional financial services for government units. You will supervise staff, ensure deadlines, and provide expert SAP guidance in a centralized shared-services environment.

Typical duties include managing reconciliations, financial reporting, and year-end closes, while supporting audits and process improvements.

Qualifications

• Three years of post-secondary accounting education and six years of related accounting experience, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Experience leading teams, managing workloads, and delivering results in a fast-paced operational environment with analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making skills.
• Strong knowledge of accounting principles, financial controls, reconciliations, and financial reporting.
• Excellent communication and relationship-building abilities.
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines.

Responsibilities

• Lead, supervise, coach, mentor, and develop Operational Accounting staff, ensuring service standards, deadlines, and performance expectations are achieved.
• Provide expert guidance on SAP financial modules, financial policies, procedures, internal controls, and government-wide accounting processes.
• Oversee critical daily, monthly, and year-end accounting activities, including account reconciliations, financial reporting, payment production, and financial close processes as well as monitor complex financial transactions, and recommend solutions to operational and compliance issues.
• Support audit activities by coordinating documentation, responding to inquiries, and collaborating with internal and external auditors.
• Identify opportunities for process improvements and participate in the implementation of system enhancements and new initiatives.
• Build strong relationships with government departments, agencies, vendors, financial institutions, and other stakeholders.
• Champion a shared-services culture focused on operational excellence, continuous improvement, and customer service.

Skills

Leadership experience

Accounting principles

Communication

Analytical thinking

Organizational skills

Relationship building

Education

Post-secondary accounting education

Undergraduate degree in Accounting/Business

Tools

SAP

Job description

Competition # : 49721

Department: Service Nova Scotia

Location: HALIFAX

Type of Employment: Term

Union Status: NSGEU - NSPG

Closing Date: 03-Sep-26 (Applications are accepted until 11:59 PM Atlantic Time)

About Us

At Service Nova Scotia, we impact every citizen, business and municipality in Nova Scotia. Our mandate is to design and deliver programs and services to meet the needs of our clients and the public good through a culture of excellence. Our vision is to be a recognized leader in service and public protection that delivers trusted, accessible, modern programs, and contributes to Nova Scotia as a safe and desirable place to live, work and do business.

About Our Opportunity

The Financial Services Division/Operational Accounting has an opening that will provide the opportunity to apply your excellent client service and financial expertise in a setting that offers challenges and values collaborative teamwork and innovative thinking. Under the general direction of the Manager, Operational Accounting, you will be responsible for leading and supervising the performance of staff in the delivery of transactional financial services with complex and specialized central services to government departments, agencies, and other government units.

Primary Accountabilities

As Coordinator, Operational Accounting, you will:

• Lead, supervise, coach, mentor, and develop Operational Accounting staff, ensuring service standards, deadlines, and performance expectations are achieved.
• Provide expert guidance on SAP financial modules, financial policies, procedures, internal controls, and government-wide accounting processes.
• Oversee critical daily, monthly, and year-end accounting activities, including account reconciliations, financial reporting, payment production, and financial close processes as well as monitor complex financial transactions, and recommend solutions to operational and compliance issues.
• Support audit activities by coordinating documentation, responding to inquiries, and collaborating with internal and external auditors.
• Identify opportunities for process improvements and participate in the implementation of system enhancements and new initiatives.
• Build strong relationships with government departments, agencies, vendors, financial institutions, and other stakeholders.
• Champion a shared-services culture focused on operational excellence, continuous improvement, and customer service.

Qualifications And Experience

To be considered for this opportunity, you must have the following:

• Three years of post-secondary accounting education and six years of related accounting experience, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Experience leading teams, managing workloads, and delivering results in a fast-paced operational environment with demonstrated analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making skills.
• Strong knowledge of accounting principles, financial controls, reconciliations, and financial reporting.
• Excellent communication and relationship-building abilities.
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines.

The Following Will Be Considered Assets

• Undergraduate degree in Accounting, Business Administration, Commerce, or Management.
• Experience with SAP financial modules, including Accounts Payable, Accounts Receivable, General Ledger and Procurement
• Experience supporting audit processes and financial system implementations.
• Knowledge of public sector financial operations and shared services environments.

We will assess the above qualifications using one or more of the following tools: written examination, typing test, 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
• May be required to work overtime on occasion
• May be eligible for department specific flexible working schedules

Additional Information

Please note this is a term, full-time vacancy with a projected end date of September 30, 2028. The status of the vacancy (term/temp) is dependent on the start date of candidate and the overall duration of the position in alignment with timelines outlined in the collective agreement.

What We Offer

• Career Development where you have access to career guidance, tools, resources, and ongoing training for every stage of your career.
• An engaged workplace where we foster respect and recognition.
• Forward-thinking policies and strategies.
• Countless career paths

Pay Grade: TE 24

Salary Range: $2,601.38 - $3,063.89 Bi-Weekly

Employment Equity Statement:

Our goal is to be a diverse workforce that is representative, at all job levels, of the citizens we serve. The Government of Nova Scotia has an Employment Equity Policy, and we welcome applications from Indigenous People, African Nova Scotians and Other Racially Visible Persons, Persons with Disabilities and Women in occupations or positions where they are under-represented. If you are a member of one of these equity groups, you are encouraged to self-identify on your electronic application.

Accommodation Statement:

We are committed to providing an inclusive and accessible recruitment process. Candidates may request accommodations based on any grounds protected by the Human Rights Act. If you require an accommodation throughout the recruitment process, please contact us at [e-mail].

If you are receiving a pension from the Nova Scotia Public Service Superannuation Plan (PSSP) or any related plans, you cannot receive pension payments while contributing to the same plan. If you accept a position that requires PSSP contributions, your pension payments must be stopped. Please contact the Nova Scotia Pension Services Corporation for more information.

Offer of employment is conditional upon the completion of all applicable background checks and confirmation of credentials, the results of which must be satisfactory to the employer. We thank all applicants for the interest, however, only those selected for an interview will be contacted.

All questions and concerns may be directed to [e-mail].