Senior Risk & Compliance Advisor

Nova Scotia; Halifax; Hybrid; CAD 102,000 - 128,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Career development

Engaging workplace

Career paths

Team-oriented environment

Job summary

The Nova Scotia Department of Finance and Treasury Board is seeking a Senior Risk & Compliance Advisor to lead financial compliance, internal controls, and risk management for federally funded programs and departmental operations.

You will establish ICFR standards, design risk-based monitoring, and advise senior leaders on reporting requirements, eligibility, audit provisions, and enforcement to strengthen accountability and performance.

Qualifications

• CPA designation with minimum five years in financial compliance or risk management.
• Experience advising senior leadership on compliance and internal controls.
• Knowledge of government financial policies and funding agreements.

Responsibilities

• Establish and maintain financial compliance and internal control standards across program areas.
• Lead development and assessment of ICFR frameworks and control effectiveness.
• Design and operate risk-based monitoring and prioritization based on risk.

Skills

CPA designation

Financial compliance

Internal controls

Risk management

Stakeholder engagement

Communication

Education

CPA designation (CPA)

Tools

COSO framework

Job description

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Union Status: Exclusion - Non Union - NSPG

Closing Date:04-Oct-26 (Applications are accepted until 11:59 PM Atlantic Time)

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.

About Our Opportunity

Reporting to the Director, Financial Advisory Services, the Senior Risk & Compliance Advisor provides expert advice and leadership in financial compliance, internal controls, and risk management for federally funded programs and departmental operations.

The role focuses on establishing and maintaining financial compliance frameworks and internal control standards, including internal controls over financial reporting (ICFR), and ensuring alignment with government policies, legislation, and funding agreements. The Advisor plays a key role in strengthening financial oversight, internal control consistency, and accountability across program areas.

The Advisor is focused on shaping how compliance, risk, and internal control practices are designed, implemented, and sustained across a complex operational environment. This includes leading the development of risk-based monitoring approaches and ensuring financial and compliance risks are identified and managed effectively.

Working closely with program leadership, the Advisor applies a risk-based, proportionate approach to compliance and oversight in a high-volume environment. The role emphasizes influencing decision-making and building capability within program areas, while implementing practical and sustainable approaches that support both accountability and effective service delivery.

Primary Accountabilities

• Establish and maintain financial compliance and internal control standards, providing expert advice on their application across program areas.
• Lead the development, implementation, and ongoing assessment of internal control frameworks (ICFR), including documentation and evaluation of control effectiveness.
• Design and operate a risk-based financial compliance and internal control monitoring program, including risk assessment approaches and prioritization of review and monitoring activities based on risk and materiality.
• Provide risk and compliance oversight of funding agreements, including advising on reporting requirements, eligibility criteria, audit provisions, and enforcement mechanisms.
• Identify and assess financial and compliance risks and control deficiencies and provide evidence-based recommendations and mitigation strategies.
• Implement compliance standards and supporting tools and guidance to promote consistent financial practices and strengthen accountability.
• Support the development of financial capability within program areas through guidance, training, and ongoing advisory support.
• Support audit readiness and act as a key liaison with internal and external auditors.
• Influence program decision-making through clear, structured advice and strong working relationships that support improved compliance and accountability.

Qualifications and Experience

This role is an opportunity for a Canadian Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA) with a minimum of five years progressive experience in financial compliance, internal controls, or risk management within complex environments, including advising senior leadership and addressing system-level financial risks. The ideal candidate brings:

• Strong knowledge of internal control frameworks (e.g., ICFR, COSO), government financial policies, and funding agreements.
• Demonstrated experience leading or advising on financial compliance, internal control, or risk management practices in complex, high-volume environments.
• Demonstrated experience designing and evaluating internal control frameworks, including assessing control effectiveness and supporting remediation of deficiencies.
• Experience developing or applying risk-based approaches to monitoring or oversight, including prioritizing work based on risk and materiality.
• Experience reviewing or advising on funding agreements or contracts, including assessing compliance risks related to reporting, eligibility, and enforcement.
• Strong analytical, communication, and stakeholder engagement skills.
• Demonstrated ability to advise and influence senior leaders and non-financial audiences.
• Experience building or improving structures, including processes or documentation, in evolving or developing environments.
• Experience supporting financial capability development within program or operational teams.

Equivalency

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

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

Work is performed in an office environment with competing priorities and deadlines. The role operates in a fast-paced setting with a strong focus on program delivery, requiring sound judgment to balance compliance requirements with operational needs.

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
• A Dynamic, client-focused office environment where service excellence and teamwork are our focus.

Pay Grade:EC 12

Salary Range:$3,929.22- $4,911.52Bi-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, 2SLGBTQIA+ Persons, 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].

Current government employees may access this posting through the link below:

PLEASE NOTE: Candidates will not be considered for an interview if applications are incomplete or are missing information.

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].