Manager Accounting Services

Job Responsibility:

Division

Financial Management & Planning

Important Notices & Amendments

Please note: this position is eligible for a hybrid work arrangement, whereby the incumbent will be required to work 50% of their time in office.

About Us

Serving a diverse urban and rural population of more than 475,000, Niagara Region is focused on building a strong and prosperous Niagara. Working collaboratively with 12 local area municipalities and numerous community partners, the Region delivers a range of high-quality programs and services to support and advance the well-being of individuals, families and communities within its boundaries. Nestled between the great lakes of Erie and Ontario, the Niagara peninsula features some of Canada's most fertile agricultural land, the majesty of Niagara Falls and communities that are rich in both history and recreational and cultural opportunities. Niagara boasts dynamic modern cities, Canada's most developed wine industry, a temperate climate, extraordinary theatre, and some of Ontario's most breathtaking countryside. An international destination with easy access to its binational U.S. neighbour New York State, Niagara attracts over 14 million visitors annually, as well as a steady stream of new residents and businesses.

At Niagara Region, we value diversity - in background and experience. We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We aspire to hire and grow a workforce reflective of the diverse community we serve. By doing so, we can deliver better programs and services across Niagara.

We welcome all applicants! For more information about diversity, equity, and inclusion at Niagara Region, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion - Niagara Region, Ontario or email related questions to View email address on ca.edajobs.com. To send input on reducing barriers in the current hiring process, please email View email address on ca.edajobs.com

For the Region's full employee equity statement, Working at Niagara Region - Niagara Region, Ontario.

Don't have every qualification?

You may be hesitant to apply if you do not have every qualification listed in the posting. While specific qualifications are important for certain roles, we invite individuals from diverse backgrounds and varying levels of experience and education to apply. Our recruiters will evaluate your suitability for the role.

Please note that for unionized roles, we must follow collective agreement requirements. However, we encourage all interested candidates to submit their applications. We believe success in a role can extend beyond meeting every single requirement.

Job Summary

Reporting to the Associate Director of Finance Operations & Systems, the Manager Accounting Services is responsible for managing a range of accounting operations including: accounts payable, receivable, cash handling and collection functions, banking activities, tax accountability and Ontario Works support for the Region and shared service partners. The Manger is also responsible for establishing and overseeing policies and procedures relating to the accounting services functions, ensuring effective operating controls to safeguard assets, mitigate risks and drive efficiency.

Education

• Post-secondary degree in Accounting or Finance.

Knowledge

• Minimum 7 years of experience in accounting, financial reporting, budgeting, procurement and/or process review.
• Minimum 5 years of progressive management experience.
• Experience in a unionized setting is preferred.
• Experience with Public Sector Accounting (PSA) and not-for-profit accounting standards are preferred.
• Previous experience engaging with Council, Agencies, Boards and/or Committees is considered an asset.
• Professional Accounting Designation (CPA/CA, CGA, CMA).
• Knowledge of all legislation and/or regulations impacting municipal accounting and reporting e.g. Municipal Act, CICA/PSAB Handbook and HST.
• Competence in process and continuous improvement.
• Completion of the Municipal Accounting and Finance Program is preferred.
• Audit designation e.g. CIA, CGAP, CFSA, CRMA, CQA, CPA is preferred.

Responsibilities

Manages and coordinates a range of accounting operations including accounts payable, receivable, cash handling and collection functions, banking activities, tax accountability and Ontario Works support, including development and compliance with all policies, procedures and processes relating to the accounting services functions. (35% of time)

• Develops and implements accounting policies, procedures and internal controls for cash handling, accounts payable, receivable and collection, banking & Ontario Works System Support activities and ensures financial transactions are being executed as per financial policy/guidance.
• Ensures internal controls and procedures are in place to administer the user fee by-law, including cash collection, receipting and tax implications.
• Provides accounting services for all departments and shared service partners and maintains service level standards set.
• Responsible for Accounting Services month-end processes, reviewing and approving monthly reconciliations, financial reports and journal entries.
• Responsible for monthly/annual review of balance sheet accounts, relating to receivables, payables, clearing balances and loans.
• Oversees information provided by source system interfaces as they pertain to A/R, A/P and Banking, ensuring fee billings, receivables, accounts payable and cash management modules are recorded.
• Oversee monthly monitoring and reconciliation of Region-wide and shared service partner purchase card and employee reimbursement expenses.
• Develops requirements and complete User Acceptance Testing for all changes to financial systems concerning A/R and A/P.
• Ensures tax-filing (HST) information is accurately captured when transactions are processed.
• Prime contact with external auditors during the financial year-end audit for accounting services.

Drives continuous improvement through standardizing processes, automating procedures and streamlining team accountabilities while ensuring operating department needs are met. (25% of time)

• Plan, develops and implement accounting procedures and internal control framework for new initiatives and regulatory changes.
• Review existing procedures of Region operations to identify and mitigate/correct control weaknesses.
• Assessment of financial reporting compliance, data integrity and internal controls across the widely diverse programs and operations, within a fully integrated enterprise-wide system.
• Works as part of cross functional team when new systems that feed financial systems are being implemented, assessing interfaces to financial systems and completing all testing prior to go-live and making recommendations regarding business processes for new systems.
• Recommends solutions for the development, implementation and enforcement of internal audit systems to verify the accuracy of internal controls.
• Works with Manager, ERP Business Support to identify opportunities to improve systems and processes to drive efficiency and effectiveness of the Accounting Services team.
• Advises departments and shared service partners on accounting services related policies and technical procedures.

Formulates and documents Receivables, Payables and Banking business reporting requirements for all Regional departments and share service partners. (10% of time)

• Ensures monthly A/P, A/R, and banking reporting, including outstanding analyses, allowance for doubtful accounts, reconciliations to general ledger and status of collections activities.
• Manages User Fee update process, in order to develop and prepare Regional User Fee report for Council approval of annual by-law.
• Preparation and quarterly update of accounts receivable aging statuses within the quarterly reporting packages.
• Integral member of the Region's year-end task force, collaborating with team members to ensure successful year-end closing. Prepares related schedules and checklists for accounting services staff, ensuring timely completion of tasks/activities.
• Reports results of compliance reviews to management and committee if required.

Develops, manages, and administers annual and multi-year Capital and Operating budgets for the operating unit ensuring support of Council's objectives, financial transparency and accountability, monitoring budget adherence, identifying and explaining variances, and financial reporting is effectively managed in compliance with corporate financial policies. Ensure goods and services are acquired in accordance with the procurement policy. Authorize, and administer the acquisition of goods and services for the operating unit and direct reports in accordance with the procurement policy and procedures. (10% of time)

Manages people resource planning for the division or operating unit, determining ideal organizational structures, identifying desirable role and skill mix requirements and ensuring ongoing work quality and deliverability of results. (20% of time)

• Enables results with the organization's human capital strategy to foster employee engagement.
• Directs and provides leadership for the activities and coaching of direct reports, providing work direction, setting priorities, assigning tasks/projects, determining methods and procedures to be used, resolving problems, ensuring results are achieved, and managing staff recruitment, performance, and skill development activities
• Ensures alignment and coordination of activity and quality of output between teams under their direction
• Ensures focus is service excellence, communication/transparency, innovation, and data integrity and work flow integration.
• Ensures staff has the information and resources to make successful plans and decisions.
• Ensures all people related issues, including recruitment, grievances and labour relations issues, are aligned to HR and Corporate standards and practices.
• Helps to break down barriers to employee success, ensuring collaboration and cooperation with other teams within their division and department
• Ensures Occupational Health & Safety policies, programs and practices are implemented, and maintained. This includes workplace inspections, monitoring, accident reporting and investigations, and ensuring any observed hazards or lapses in the functioning of OH&S processes, and other OH&S concerns are responded to promptly.
• Ensures all individuals under supervision have been informed of hazards and instructed on the necessary risk control and emergency response measures;

Special Requirements

• In accordance with the Corporate Criminal Record Check Policy, the position requires the incumbent to undergo a Criminal Records Check and submit a Canadian Police Clearance Certificate.
• Regional staff strive to enable the strategic priorities of council and the organization through the completion of their work. Staff carry out their work by demonstrating the corporate values of service, honesty, choice, partnership and respect.

Closing Statement

Uncover the wonder of the Niagara Region and join a team dedicated to meeting tomorrow's challenges TODAY! Let us know why you would be an excellent team member by submitting your online application. We thank all candidates for their interest however, only those candidates selected for an interview will be contacted.

If you require an accommodation for the application process in accordance with the Ontario Human Rights Code and the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, the alternate formats for contacting us are as follows:

• Email: View email address on ca.edajobs.com
• Phone: View phone number on ca.edajobs.com or View phone number on ca.edajobs.com
• Bell Relay: View phone number on ca.edajobs.com
• In-person: Sir Isaac Brock Way, Thorold, ON L2V 4T7 - Human Resources Department