Accounting Assistant II

Accounting Assistant II - Temporary Contract ending September 30, 2027

The Role 

The work involves coordinating the completion of various deliverables requiring multiple inputs from team members, training staff, reviewing work quality prior to processing, resolving problems of intermediate complexity, providing guidance on financial related matters, and communicating technical information in a straight-forward manner to internal users (departments and schools). The work requires in-depth systems knowledge to utilize diverse computer software applications in analyzing and processing financial transactions, multi-tasking, troubleshooting and resolving discrepancies with frequent disruptions. Independent judgement is exercised within defined parameters.

An Accounting Assistant II undertakes diverse and intricate accounting responsibilities, coordinates financial processing production and provides advisory and processing support to designated internal users. The role involves maintaining the integrity and accuracy of District financial records and ensures compliance with policies, procedures and external legislative/statutory requirements when addressing challenges of intermediate complexity. This position requires a high-level of attention to detail, analytical skills, and understanding in accounting principles.

Work is directed by a Team Leader and Management.

Responsibilities

• Acts as a primary point of contact and provides exemplary customer service and support to District departments and school sites.
• Delivers training to school site clerks and district staff for both school-based accounting software and district system software and application of District Finance policy and procedures.
• Responds in a timely and efficient manner to employee inquiries in a fast paced, high-volume environment, all while ensuring complex information is communicated in an understandable manner.
• Provides guidance on District policies and procedures, as well as information and support concerning financial and business practices to staff, administrators, and internal users.
• Coordinates and trains junior staff members on specific job tasks and participates in the work as needed.
• Coordinates data entry, balances batches, maintains deadlines, audits input and output of data, and problem solves. Approves production of output.
• Coordinates and checks entry interfaces edits and finalizes with the team and other departments to accurately satisfy production deadlines.
• Reconciles accounts and statements involving a large volume and range of exception issues (i.e. banks, merchant accounts, benefit liabilities, payables, receivables, school-based accounts, district accounts).
• Prepares journal entries using accounting principles and advanced spreadsheet skills to provide accurate presentation of the District’s finances.
• Produces complex spreadsheets and reports, integrating budgeted and actual figures, enabling internal users with detailed visibility of financial information.
• Reviews expenditure reimbursement requests and ensures compliance with District policies and procedures.
• Ensures financial reports from departments and schools, such as PCard statements, GST reports, petty cash claims, and quarterly reports, are completed and submitted promptly for review; analyzes the financial data to confirm alignment with District policies, procedures, external legislative requirements, and accounting standards; escalates issues, as needed, to Team Leader for further assessment and confirmation of appropriate resolution.
• Provides guidance to school administrators and clerical staff on addressing non-compliance issues, including analysis, preparation, and coordination of necessary corrections to rectify accuracy of their reporting deliverables.
• Identifies complex and unusual finance transactions, including diverse accounting issues and errors originating from internal users, gathers necessary information, and with the support of the Team Leader, provides resolutions, ensuring prompt corrections and continuous progress monitoring.
• Initiates electronic payments through computerized commercial banking technology.
• Engages in the testing of financial software, participates in systems development initiatives and addresses intermediate financial challenges pertaining to databases and operations.
• Provides instruction and assistance to internal users in conducting data searches and compiling financial reports/records.
• Provides remote and onsite support to schools by aiding in financial reporting and transaction/data entry when Head Secretary vacancies are applicable.
• Prepares and provides financial reports for Administrators and District departments, including Internal Audit, on an ad hoc basis.
• Coordinates records pursuant to Records Classification System and arranges for archiving.
• Documents and maintains Standard Operating Procedures/Manuals and updates work processes in correlation with the Team Leader, recommending changes to procedures and methods to increase accuracy and efficiencies.
• Prepares financial data for special purpose funds, including analysis, variance review, alignment with contract terms, and coordination for Team Leader/Senior Manager assessment and subsequent communication of outcomes to the internal department manager for submission to funding agencies.
• Provides financial advisory and information processing services in relation to Special Purpose Funds, including facilitating the receipts, holding in trust and disbursement of funds.
• Bills and collects receivables by applying contractual provision to activity data, determining account classification, coordinating staff in invoice production, monitoring outstanding invoices, initiating collection, and resolving problems with customers.
• Identifies and calculates GST claimed for schools, includes applicable detailed adjustments required by internal users in balancing books.
• Files GST tax rebate claims with government bodies.
• Prepares T2200s, as needed.
• Performs related duties, as required.

Knowledge and Skills Required

• Ability to schedule, coordinate and monitor the production of the work unit, including coaching of junior staff members.
• Ability to provide instructions on tasks in a clear and concise manner, appropriate for the audience.
• Ability to identify, analyze and recommend solutions on various issues with a range of complexities.
• Skilled in gathering and organizing data on complex matters to provide clear summaries for the Team Leader, facilitating further evaluation and confirmation of appropriate resolutions.
• Ability to test financial software and participate in system development initiatives, including the integration and application of Finance related equipment such as the Direct Deposit machine and electronic calculators.
• Knowledge of the methods, practices, principles, procedures, and controls involved in processing financial transactions and accounting for the district’s operations.
• Ability to apply the financial aspects of applicable legislation, agreements, contracts, policies, procedures, and administrative practices.
• Ability to utilize, at an advanced level, networked personal computers and applications software for operating systems, Microsoft Office Suite, advanced level spreadsheets (including pivot tables and lookup functions), and multi-user computer applications related to the work.
• Ability to follow and apply Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP).
• Ability to coordinate, guide, and coach internal clerical and administrative staff for the completion of bookkeeping tasks.
• Comprehends and successfully delivers training over application of district financial policy and procedure and accounting principles to school clerks and head secretaries, within defined parameters developed by Team Leader.
• Ability to self-organize, prioritize and coordinate tasks and to satisfy competing deadlines, and maintaining comprehensive requirements despite constant interruptions and the flexibility to adapt and respond to changing priorities.
• Interpersonal skills and the ability to communicate effectively in oral and written English utilizing the terminology of business, accounting and taxation.
• Ability to maintain sustained superior attention to detail and accuracy, both data and mathematical, while applying a comprehensive body of knowledge within the context of high-volume activity and inflexible deadlines.
• Ability to solve technical problems of intermediate complexity related to the work performed.
• Ability to multi-task and process high volumes of information accurately within strict, inflexible time limitations while maintaining comprehensive standards.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills in analyzing transaction sand ability to quickly recognize and efficiently resolve discrepancies.
• Demonstrate tact, discretion, and ability to exercise professional judgement in a confidential environment, and courteously answering questions with clarity and discretion.
• Calm composure while under continuous pressure and while dealing with challenging situations arising from both internal and external users.
• Excellent customer service and teamwork skills when dealing with internal and external stakeholders, including ability to communicate complex information in an understandable manner.

Education and Experience

• Completion of grade 12, plus a Diploma in Accounting or Business Program (Accounting Major) equivalent to two years post-secondary education from an institute recognized by the District
• Three years recent full-time experience as an accounting assistant/technician in a similar computerized financial services environment (public sector preferred)
• or an equivalent of training and experience in accounting

Qualified applicants can apply by clicking "apply online" below.  

Note:  Only shortlisted applicants selected for interviews will be contacted at this time. To all others, thank you for your interest