Finance Systems Specialist

at  Agriculture Financial Services Corporation

At AFSC, we want to work with talented people from a wide range of backgrounds. We strive to create a psychologically safe environment where we can all be ourselves and perform to the best of our abilities. We care about each other, about Alberta and about agriculture. We are innovative, knowledgeable, and diverse and love what Albertan agriculture produces for people around the world. The perseverance and hard work we see from our clients inspires us to show that same work ethic in everything that we do. Working together, we grow and sustain the agriculture industry in Alberta.
Posting will close October 8, 2024.
Location is flexible, within Alberta, dependent on the successful applicant.
However, periodically may be asked to work in Lacombe Central Officer or other AFSC branches. Travel in these circumstances will be reimbursed according to AFSC’s Employee and Board of Directors Expense Policy.
Reporting to the Supervisor, Finance Readiness and Internal Reporting, the Finance Systems Specialist role within the Finance department is primarily responsible to elicit, analyze, validate, specify and manage the real needs of stakeholders, including clients and end-users. The accuracy and integrity of financial information interfacing from all corporate financial systems, which ultimately rolls up into AFSC’s quarterly and annual financial statements is critical and a key responsibility of the team in the Finance Readiness area.

What will your growth opportunities look like in this role?

• Develop a deep knowledge of AFSC’s financial systems, controls, processes, procedures, products and programs
• Establish collaborative relationships across many different areas of AFSC
• In-house learning and development

What will you be responsible for?

• Defining requirements for improving products, processes, systems, and controls
• Planning, designing, and executing financial system testing activities using various tools and techniques in order to ensure the accuracy and integrity of AFSC’s financial information
• Supporting the Finance department and other areas of the corporation through sharing of financial system, process, and controls knowledge
• Leading efforts to investigate, analyze, prioritize, communicate, and help implement solutions to financial system issues occurring in production
• Coordinating and/or supporting financial system changes
• Developing and delivering queries and reports to provide accurate and timely financial reporting to internal stakeholders
• Preparing annual/monthly statements for clients and the CRA
• Recognizing potential opportunities for continuous improvements to decrease costs or gain efficiencies
• Assessing, modeling, and implementing improvements to Finance processes and controls

What are we looking for from you?

• Takes on new opportunities and tough challenges with a sense of urgency, high energy, flexibility and enthusiasm
• Able to work with confidence and independence
• Holds self and others accountable to meet commitments
• Builds partnerships and works collaboratively with others to meet shared objectives
• Ability to negotiate, facilitate and collaborate to achieve desired results, often with groups and people over whom there is no direct authority, including auditors and external system integrators
• Demonstrates behaviors that align with organizational values of client focus, excellence, and a foundation based on our people.
• Knowledge and experience with financial systems support, the accounting cycle, Generally Accepted Accounting Principles, and internal controls
• Conveys information clearly, concisely, and professionally when speaking or writing
• Experience with troubleshooting, process modelling, and analysis
• Knowledge and experience with project delivery and the software development life cycle, including analysis, gathering and communicating requirements, and testing
• Skilled user of business software applications, including advanced spreadsheet skills

What else is in it for you?

• Health, dental, and vision benefits on your first day of employment
• Health Spending Account
• Corporate functions
• Winter Holiday closure
• PSPP contributions
• Generous vacation and special leave days
• Health and wellness initiatives

Qualifications

• University Degree
• 3 years of related experience
• Preferred: Software testing training and/or certificate
• Preferred: Business analysis training and/or certificate

Candidates may be considered based on a combination of education and related experience.
About AFSC
For over 80 years Agriculture Financial Services (AFSC) has provided Alberta’s agricultural producers and agribusinesses with loans, crop insurance and farm income disaster assistance. At AFSC, we’re proud of the work we do to help build a strong, growing and diversified agriculture and agri-food industry in Alberta. Many AFSC team members are also producers and know first-hand the challenges and rewards Alberta producers face.
https://afsc.ca/about-afsc

What will your growth opportunities look like in this role?

• Develop a deep knowledge of AFSC’s financial systems, controls, processes, procedures, products and programs
• Establish collaborative relationships across many different areas of AFSC
• In-house learning and developmen

What will you be responsible for?

• Defining requirements for improving products, processes, systems, and controls
• Planning, designing, and executing financial system testing activities using various tools and techniques in order to ensure the accuracy and integrity of AFSC’s financial information
• Supporting the Finance department and other areas of the corporation through sharing of financial system, process, and controls knowledge
• Leading efforts to investigate, analyze, prioritize, communicate, and help implement solutions to financial system issues occurring in production
• Coordinating and/or supporting financial system changes
• Developing and delivering queries and reports to provide accurate and timely financial reporting to internal stakeholders
• Preparing annual/monthly statements for clients and the CRA
• Recognizing potential opportunities for continuous improvements to decrease costs or gain efficiencies
• Assessing, modeling, and implementing improvements to Finance processes and control