MISSION

The Calgary Board of Education (CBE) is the largest school board in western Canada with over 131,000 students and 15,000 employees. Our mission: Each student, in keeping with their individual abilities and gifts, will complete high school with a foundation of learning necessary to thrive in life, work and continued learning. We pride ourselves in the values we hold. Students come first. Learning is our central purpose. Public education serves the common good. The CBE encourages an inclusive and equitable workplace, which supports our diverse student and employee community. We encourage all applicants to join our dynamic, diverse, and collaborative culture and welcome applications from all qualified individuals.
When you apply to the CBE, you can feel good about serving our future leaders and contributing to student success.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

• A university degree in a business-related discipline and a recognized professional accounting designation (CA, CGA, CMA or CPA).
• A minimum of five years professional and/or business experience in an advisory/consultative role related to accounting, finance or general business management.

DEMONSTRATED SKILLS AND COMPETENCIES:

• Demonstrated interpersonal skills, including excellent verbal and written communication skills, initiative and creative problem-solving.
• Leadership through influence to ensure compliance standards are met
• Ability to have difficult conversations with school administrators and other staff,
• Ability to work independently and manage sensitive and confidential issues tactfully.
• Familiarity with sophisticated computer financial software and related applications. Sound knowledge of statutes relating to schools, income tax, goods and services and excise taxes.
• Sound knowledge of accounting principles and business standards.
• Knowledge of school-based entrepreneurial operations.
• Experience in the public sector in delivering site-based services a strong asset.
• Ability to organize, process, and communicate information effectively, both verbally, and in writing.
• Familiarity with the development of performance metrics and the ability to apply them over different school settings is required.
• Strong orientation to timely and effective task completion; well-developed skills in organization and time management.
• Personal suitability.
  Note: This position requires personal transportation to conduct job responsibilities.

• Provides advice and consultation services to assigned schools on finance and the use of resources. Concentration is on: schools’ financial operations, including decentralized budget (and related transactions) and financial records matters; staffing budget; accounting; contracts; Chief Superintendent’s Administrative Regulations; requirements of Alberta Education and other external stakeholders, the Board of Trustees and the CBE administration.
• In collaboration with Supply Chain Services, assists school administrators in implementing and following central purchasing requirements and standards, and in procuring goods and services in an efficient, effective and economical manner.
• Works with the Area Director to identify areas of concern with respect to schools’ financial position, allocating resources and following up on school financial issues and Area concerns.
• Identifies, prepares and presents at the Area Leadership Meeting on topics of concern identified by the Area Director and Finance and Supply Chain Services.
• Provides strategic financial decision support to designated Principals through the Resource Allocation Method (RAM) process relative to positions and to ensure budgeted staffing levels are within the context of available school resources and Area Director–supported directives.
• Receives and approves all RAM change requests, and attendant Position Management Change Requests, to change schools staffing complements throughout the year.
• Assists schools in identifying and analyzing financial risks and improving processes to minimize risk in schools.
• As the subject matter expert, provides guidance, education, and assistance to school administrators in complying with CBE finance and business policies, procedures, and practices required for the preparation and reporting of:
• Student counts and projections;
• Budgeted staff allocations (regular, special education and others) as reflected in RAM spreadsheets, RAM Change Requests, and approval of appropriate Position Management forms;
• Annual operating and capital budget preparation through schools’ carry-forward calculation and deficit financing tracking;
• Variance reporting;
• Fundraising and donation reporting;
• School fees reporting including collection and waivers;
• Budget transfer preparation;
• Summary of Board Funds (D-015 & D-018) form preparation;
• Proper recording and remitting of GST;
• School generated funds reporting;
• External funds reporting; opening, closing and/or transfers of schools and/or programs
• Ensures that financial processes at the schools follow generally accepted accounting principles to the extent determined by the Calgary Board of Education, and that the data and information generated by these processes can be amalgamated with other Calgary Board of Education financial information and conform to Alberta Education requirements.
• Understands appropriate use of the CBE Chart of Accounts.
• In collaboration with Human Resources, approves position management change forms submitted by Schools, ensures that the forms have been properly completed and that the school has budget available to support the position.
• Assigns Duty to Accommodate (DTA), Area Discretionary/Contingency/Program renewal funding to Schools’ RAMs.
• Assists schools in preparing, presenting and/or submitting reports/requests to Area Director, Senior Leadership, Superintendents’ Team, Board of Trustees, school councils and other service units.
• Communicates with schools on the implementation of finance-related policies, regulations and procedures.
• Monitors school compliance with CBE policies, regulations and procedures.
• When requested, attend Parent council or Parent Society meetings, represent the CBE and advise stakeholders of appropriate CBE policy and procedures.
• Must have basic understanding with regards to the contract between the CBE and the Alberta Teachers Association (ATA) and the contract between the CBE and the CBE Staff Association (SA).
• Ensures that school administrators have appropriate internal control measures and self-assessment procedures in order to be fully apprised of the financial positions and business operations of their schools.
• Coordinates school finance and business information needs of the integrated services Area team, including other functional specialists and school administrators, with the needs of the Finance and Supply Chain Services Unit.
• In consultation with the Manager, School Financial Management provides feedback and observations to supervisors regarding activities of staff performing school financial activities. On request, assists the school administrators in interviewing and evaluating the suitability of prospective support staff at the schools.
• Identifies the need, develops, delivers, and evaluates training programs for school-based staff and others on finance and supply chain processes
• Assists the Manager, School Financial Management in the development of goals and objectives, work plan and work assignments for the work section.
• Collaborates in the conduct and preparation of reports on system-wide school-based operational reviews in support of CBE objectives. May be requested by the Manager, School Financial Management to participate in school-based forensic investigations on finance and supply chain reviews.
• Assists in activities related to the work of the external auditors for school-related audit requirements. Provides responses as appropriate to audit recommendations with respect to financial and business activities in schools. Reviews the external auditors’ recommendations and follows up with schools to ensure compliance.
• Develops relevant knowledge of federal, provincial and municipal legislation that relates to school-based financial and related business activities. Advises and assists the Manager, School Financial Management in developing responses to changes in these areas.
• Maintains current knowledge of professional accounting pronouncements, guidelines and advisories. Assists in interpreting the application of school-based financial and business activities and makes recommendations for appropriate responses to changes in these areas.
• With the Manager, School Financial Management, reviews and recommends changes in and/or additions to the Chief Superintendent’s Administrative Regulations, Goods and Services Tax manual, School Generated funds manual, and other directives to school-based administration.
• Serves on boards, committees and task forces as required.
• Performs other related responsibilities as assigned to meet the purpose and accountabilities of the role.