Financial Services Administrator

Overview

As a member of the military, Financial Services Administrators provide financial assistance and budget resources support to all military activities.

As a member of the military, Financial Services Administrators provide financial assistance and budget resources support to all military activities.

The primary duties of a Financial Services Administrator are to provide:

• Financial administration and services
• General office bookkeeping
• Accounts payable and accounts receivable support
• Budget management services

Work environment

Financial Services Administrators are employed at all Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) bases in Canada, on ships, and overseas, in support of Canadian Army, Royal Canadian Navy or Royal Canadian Air Force operations. They may also serve in special operation units, medical organizations, recruiting offices, schools, reserve units, NATO/UN positions, and other specialized units throughout the CAF. Opportunities are also available with embassies in countries where Canada has a military attaché.

If you chose a career in the Regular Force, upon completion of all required training, you will be assigned to your first base. While there is some flexibility with regards to postings (relocations), accommodations can’t always be made, and therefore, you can likely expect to move at some point in your career. However, if you decide to join the Primary Reserve Force, you will do so through a specific Reserve unit. Outside of training, your chosen Reserve unit will be your workplace on a part time basis, and you will not be obligated to relocate to a different base. As part of the Primary Reserve Force, you typically work one night per week and some weekends as a minimum with possibilities of full-time employment.

Entry plans

• Direct Entry Options

No previous work experience or career related skills are required. CAF recruiters can help you decide if your personal interests and attributes match the criteria for this occupation.

The minimum required education to apply for this occupation is the completion of the provincial requirements for Grade 10 or Secondary 4 in Quebec with Grade 10 applied math (math 416 / CST 4 in Quebec) and Grade 10 (Secondary IV) English or French.

Foreign education may be accepted.

Training

The first stage of training is the Basic Military Qualification course, or Basic Training, held at the Canadian Forces Leadership and Recruit School in Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu, Quebec. This training provides the basic core skills and knowledge common to all trades. One of the goals of this course is to ensure that all recruits maintain the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) physical fitness standard; as a result, the training is physically demanding but achievable.

Financial Services Administrator attends the Canadian Forces Logistics Training Centre in Borden, Ontario. Training takes approximately 12 weeks and includes:

• Briefing on financial authority, regulations and financial structure
• Accounting 101
• Processing vendor invoices, payables and receivables
• Initiating, processing and finalizing claims
• Administering support to operations
• Assisting members with credit card and reconciliation
• Reconciling departmental travel expenditures
• Providing support to personnel management
• Maintaining budgets and business plans

Financial Services Administrators may be offered the opportunity to develop specialized skills through formal courses and/or on-the-job training, including:

• Cashier
• Non-Public Funds Administration
• Aviation Petroleum, Oil, and Lubrication Financial Administration
• Compliance and Verification

As they progress in their career, Financial Services Administrators who demonstrate the required ability and potential may be offered advanced training. Available courses include:

• Verification Manager
• Business Planning
• Civilian Personnel Management

Part time options

This position is available for part-time employment with the Primary Reserve at certain locations across Canada. Reserve Force members usually serve part time in their community, and may serve while going to school or working at a civilian job. They are paid during their training. They are not posted or subject to a military move. However, they can volunteer to move to another base. They may also volunteer for deployment on a military mission within or outside Canada.

Financial Services Administrators may serve with the Canadian Army, the Royal Canadian Navy, or the Royal Canadian Air Force and experience the unique challenges associated with these environments. They can be employed providing financial support to military activities. When they are employed on a part-time or casual full-time basis they usually serve at a Canadian Armed Forces headquarters, home port or unit located within Canada.

Find a Recruiting Centre

Reserve Force members are trained to the same level as their Regular Force counterparts. They usually begin training with their home unit to ensure that they meet the required basic professional military standards. Following basic training, occupational training for Financial Services Administrators takes about 15 weeks and may be conducted at the Canadian Forces Logistics Training Centre in Borden, Ontario.

Reserve Force members usually serve part-time with their home unit for scheduled evenings and weekends, although they may also serve in full-time positions at some units for fixed terms, depending on the type of work that they do. They are paid 92.8% of Regular Force rates of pay, receive a reasonable benefits package and may qualify to contribute to a pension plan.

Related Careers

• Logistics Officer
• Health Services Management Officer
• Human Resources Administrator