Controller - Accounting and Revenue Services

at  The City of Spruce Grove

ABOUT US

The City of Spruce Grove is a fast growing, dynamic city committed to building and maintaining a fiscally responsible community that serves our residents, attracts visitors, and promotes future growth.
The “Values, We Live By” are accountability, communication, leadership, integrity, and respect while we work towards maintaining a work/play balance.
We are an organization that cares, an organization that is committed to our city and committed to you. The City of Spruce Grove is committed to public service, where everyone feels empowered to contribute their best work. We believe that by working together in a spirit of collaboration and respect, we can achieve great things.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Post-secondary degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, or equivalent.
• Minimum of ten (10) years related experience of which at least five (5) years must have been in a leadership position.
• Extensive knowledge of generally accepted accounting principles and public sector accounting standards.
• Strong knowledge of, and experience in implementing, internal controls.
• Experience in leading, coordinating, and preparing materials for year-end financial statement audits, preferably public sector.
• Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA) designation.
• Excellent interpersonal skills.
• Excellent collaborative negotiation and problems solving skills.
• Ability to work effectively and professionally with all levels within the organization and externally.
• Ability to effectively transfer ideas, concepts, and information into effective and efficient strategies.
• Ability to develop, implement and evaluate innovative plans.
• Ability to work independently as well as within a multifaceted team environment.
• Strong customer service orientation and the ability to build positive, productive business relationships.
• Ability to exercise tact and diplomacy in interpersonal dealings which are difficult, highly sensitive and confidential and may involve exposure to the media or public criticism.
• Ability to analyze and interpret administrative procedures, regulations, legal documents, and legislation.
• Enhanced knowledge of Microsoft Outlook, Word, Excel, Teams, and PowerPoint.

ASSET QUALIFICATIONS

• National Advanced Certificate in Local Authority Administration.
• Leadership Development Program Certificate or equivalent.
• Experience in a leadership position working for a municipality.
• Experience in presenting to Council or similar type Board of Directors.

Accounting and Reporting

• Coordinate with Director of Finance to develop internal financial and accounting policies and take responsibility for the development of corresponding procedures.
• Assist the Director of Finance in providing advice and analysis to City departments on financial reporting and controls of special projects impacting the organization.
• Assist the Director of Finance with financial analysis to enable the provision of advice to City departments, senior leaders and Council to support decision making.
• Provide partner and strategic support related to accounting and financial reporting.
• Serve as the technical expert on generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) and Public Sector Accounting Standards (PSAS), financial reporting, and analysis.
• Accountable for ensuring efficient and effective accounting processes (accounts receivable, accounts payable, and reporting), includes appropriate systems and internal controls.
• Accountable for overseeing the production of timely financial reporting meeting the needs of both internal and external stakeholders in accordance with GAAP, City Policies, By-laws, and the Municipal Government Act. This includes the delivery of monthly operating and capital reporting to CLT and Directors.
• Accountable for ensuring the successful preparation of quarterly financial reporting to Council, coordinating with the Controller - Budget and Financial Planning, the respective Assistant Controllers, and their teams.
• Accountable for the successful completion of the interim and annual audit processes, including the audit of Family and Community Support Services (FCSS), consolidated financial statements of the City, and the municipal financial information return.
• Accountable for Finance’s contribution to the creation of the annual financial report and the Popular Annual Financial Report and the submission of these reports to the Government Financial Officers Associations (GFOA) award process.
• Oversee the completion of proforma financial information and cash flow forecasts.
• With respect to managing debentures, investments, and credit facilities, and working to ensure positive working relationships with lenders/financial institutions: Oversee the reporting, actual borrowings/investment purchases/disposals, etc.

Revenue Services

• Ensure Revenue Services operations are delivered successfully and stepping in to address matters as they arise. Revenue Services operations includes tax and assessment, utility revenue, utility rate setting and implementation, cash handling, water meter reading, water meter change out planning, utility and tax account customer service, general accounts receivable and City Hall reception customer service.
• Provide policy guidance for strategic consideration of policy options in the areas of tax, assessment, and utility matters.
• Support the development and implementation of policy matters in Revenue Services (e.g. Clean Energy Improvement Program).

Strategic Management

• Oversee the development of workplans for Accounting and Reporting, and Revenue Services working groups, and ensure workplans are implemented accordingly.
• Ensure workplans are aligned with the broader Finance business plan, the City’s Corporate Plan, and Council’s Strategic Plan, where feasible.
• Continuous improvements to enhance customer service (internal and external).

Business Partner

• Represent Finance on internal working groups as assigned by the Director of Finance.
• Support other business areas of the City in the financial work (e.g. financial/grant reporting to other levels of government, provide or validate actual costs reported to Council on various programs, etc.).
• Receive and investigate complaints or concerns relative to the delivery of section services and ensure appropriate information is provided or appropriate action taken.
• Lead the analysis of operational work processes make changes to improve the workflow and service delivery provided by the two Finance sub-sections.
• Oversee the development and implementation and/or review of policies and corresponding procedures.
• Participate in the selection of financial software and be accountable for its implementation and functionality; key components being the automation of existing processes and integration with existing systems.
• Perform Finance support functions for the Emergency Management Agency when the City Disaster Response Plan is activated.
• Support annual utility and offsite levy model updates.

Supervisory Management

• Lead by example, aligning leadership with the City’s values and desired corporate culture.
• Take appropriate action when staff are not showing respect or aligning their behaviours with desired corporate culture.
• Provide coaching, training and mentoring to staff in the achievement of their goals and projects throughout the year and during the performance management process.
• Provide support to the Assistant Controllers that report to the incumbent in managing daily operations of their respective working groups (including goals setting, planning work, staffing decisions, addressing staff issues, teamwork, and overall efficiency of services).
• Support budget and forecast functions, and expenditure certification, for Accounting and Reporting area.
• Oversight of cross-training amongst the Assistant Controller roles that report to the incumbent, as well as coordinating cross-training with the Controller - Budget and Financial Planning.
• Contribute to a positive safety culture.
• Perform other related duties as required.

Other Duties

• Understand and adhere to City policies, procedures and standards, whether written or implied, as amended from time to time.
• Provide leadership for Health and Safety by making every reasonable effort to ensure the health and safety of staff within the section. Understand the safety incident reporting requirements.
• Act as a steward of the City’s Corporate Culture through empowerment and support to staff.
• Perform other job-related duties.