Director of Finance

CPA Nova Scotia; Charlottetown; On-site; CAD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

CPA Nova Scotia is seeking a Director of Finance to lead the financial administration of the department, oversee budgeting, forecasting and reporting, and ensure compliance with policies and controls.

You will advise Ministers and Directors, manage capital projects, negotiate cost-shared agreements, and drive financial planning across the department. This senior role requires a CPA designation, degree in business, and extensive public sector leadership experience.

Qualifications

• Degree in Business Administration or related field.
• Professional Accounting Designation.
• Extensive senior leadership in financial management, preferably in public service.
• Knowledge of enterprise-wide financial information systems.
• Strong knowledge of accounting and audit principles.
• Excellent organizational and communication skills; strategic thinking.
• Strong proficiency with Oracle, PeopleSoft and Excel.

Responsibilities

• Provide overall direction and leadership on the financial administration.
• Direct the budget planning, forecasting and reporting processes.
• Advise and assist directors in quarterly forecasting and annual budgets.
• Develop annual operating and capital budgets.
• Develop and monitor internal controls to safeguard assets and ensure compliance.
• Provide high quality financial advice to Ministers and department divisions.
• Offer guidance on financial implications of policy and legislation.
• Provide leadership to planning, policy analysis and development.
• Direct financial management of capital projects.
• Assist in negotiating federal cost-shared agreements and manage audits.
• Directing work plans and performance management.
• Other related duties.

Skills

Leadership

Financial management

Strategic planning

Communication

Auditing

Public sector knowledge

Education

Degree in Business Administration

Professional Accounting Designation

Tools

Oracle

PeopleSoft

Excel

Job description

The Treasury Board Secretariat is committed to Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and Accessibility. Our goal is to build a public sector workforce that reflects the diverse communities we serve and to promote welcoming, diverse, inclusive, respectful workplaces that are accessible to all. We welcome all interested individuals including Indigenous People, persons with disabilities, Black, racialized, ethnic and culturally diverse groups, as well as people regardless of their sexual orientation, gender identities, and gender expressions. Those looking for more information are invited to visit our Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Policy.

The Director of Finance is a senior management position assigned to either the Department of Justice & Public Safety or the Departments of Economic Development, Trade & Artificial Intelligence/Workforce and Advanced Learning and is responsible to advise and support the Minister and Deputy Ministers. The Director provides senior management leadership in the financial administration of the Department, and provides oversight, direction and advice to maintain financial accountability for the Department.

The Director is responsible for all aspects of the Department’s financial and corporate management, including budgeting and financial planning, forecasting and financial reporting, internal controls, contracts and contribution agreements, compliance with Treasury Board Policies & Procedures, and Executive Council / Treasury Board Memoranda.

The Director provides advice to the Ministers, Deputy Ministers and Directors of the Department on all initiatives, programs and activities.

The Director and other staff assigned to the Department will provide financial support for capital projects and contract negotiations.

Duties will include but are not limited to:

• Provide overall direction and leadership on the financial administration of the Department;
• Direct the budget planning, forecasting and reporting processes, and provide leadership in setting financial objectives for the Department;
• Advise and assist directors and managers in quarterly forecasting and annual budget preparations;
• Develop annual departmental Operating and Capital Budgets;
• Develop and monitor an appropriate system of internal controls to help safeguard the department and further its objectives. An effective system of internal controls function to minimize risks and protect assets, ensure accuracy of records, promote operational efficiency, and encourage adherence to policies, regulations, and legislation;
• Provide high quality advice, assistance, and information to the Minister, Deputy Minister, and Department Divisions pertaining to the financial implications on strategic and operational planning;
• Provide expert, contextualized advice on the financial implications for current policy and legislation and provide leadership and direction to planning, policy analysis and development, and legislative initiatives;
• Provide overall direction and leadership to the financial administration of Capital projects;
• Assist in negotiating federal cost shared agreements and administer specified financial responsibilities with respect to these agreements, including: coordinating claims, maintaining prescribed accountability measures, and managing audit processes;
• Directing work plans and managing performance;
• Other related duties.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Applicants must have a Degree in Business Administration or related field, and a Professional Accounting Designation.
• Extensive experience in leadership and financial management at a senior level, preferably management within the Public Service.
• Requires extensive knowledge of enterprise-wide financial information systems or similar financial system.
• Must have sound knowledge of accounting and audit principles.
• Requires excellent organizational and communication skills, strong interpersonal, leadership, conflict resolution, and collaborative skills and the ability to plan and think strategically.
• Excellent written/verbal communication skills are required.
• Strong knowledge of Oracle, PeopleSoft, and internal computer applications (i.e. Excel, etc.) would be considered beneficial.
• Demonstrated problem solving ability with the ability to negotiate with and motivate others.

This competition may be used to fill future job vacancies.

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