Position Overview
Reporting to the Senior Financial Officer, the Financial Specialist,Support Services is responsible for supporting selected First Nation clients across Canada through remote accounting and on-going training.
Accountabilities
- Develop relationships with assigned clients that have an approved Financial Administration Law (FAL) to promote, build trust and secure buy-in to implement their FAL and ultimately prepare for FMS certification;
- In collaboration with the First Nation client conduct the FMS Support Services needs assessment and identify opportunities for remote accounting and training opportunities;
- To complete any other tasks as requested by FMS Support Services management team;
- Support First Nation FAL clients to achieve FMS certification. "Support" in this context means facilitating, empowering, motivating, educating, and may take the form of :
Remote Accounting Services
- In collaboration with the First Nation client and the FMS Support Services Senior Financial Officer, develop a remote accounting service schedule based on the priorities identified in the FMS Support Services readiness assessment
- Assist First Nation clients with remote accounting support (or in person) as identified in the FMS Support Services readiness assessment.
- This may take the form of : Processes claims and vouchers for payment, enters invoices, matches invoices with purchase orders, and checks all claims for accuracy;
- Verifies account codes and signatures for proper assignment of budgetary expenditures; Acts as first line contact with vendors regarding billing problems;
- Administers & maintains the contingency account / cash advance system including control & reconciliation of the contingency by distributing and receiving money;
- Liaises with managers / employees on expenditures by ensuring that they comply with policies and regulations and ensuring that funds are available;
- Processes payment of invoices within specified time frames; Processes payment of accounts by verifying that all contract terms and conditions have been met and determining the right financial coding to avoid financial loss and payment duplication;
- Liaises with suppliers to give and obtain information necessary to ensure the accuracy of accounts / financial transactions and to rectify any irregularities;
- Organizes filing of all appropriate documents; stores, updates and retrieves financial data; Prepares monthly submissions for accounting and monthly remittances;
- Prepares general ledger and journal entries and trial balance; Manages accounts receivable and payable; Opens and closes books for auditors;
- Prepares financial statements and bank reconciliations; Invoice's clients and answers inquiries; Assesses fixed assets and depreciation;
Prepares costing and budgeting as requested. Assisting with any other financial management initiatives as identified by the FMS Support Services Senior Financial Officer.
Training and Capacity Development
- In collaboration with the FMS Support Services Senior Financial Officer develop a training plan based on the information provided in the initial needs assessment;
- Deliver training and capacity development that may take the form of : Journal Entries; Budgeting; Bank Reconciliations;
Processing Accounts Payable & Accounts Receivable; Monthly & Quarterly Reporting pursuant to GAAP and PSAB; Any other training as identified by the FMS Support Services management team.
Qualifications
- A Degree in Finance, Accounting, Economics, or another business-related field;
- A CPA designation or progress towards a CPA designation considered an asset;
- Must have a minimum of 5 years' experience in : Providing financial services, preferably within an Indigenous, government, or not for profit environment;
- Planning, monitoring, and reporting activities (eg. Budgeting, variance reporting, financial statement preparation, etc);
- Managing aspects of funding agreements (grant / proposal writing; policy writing; facilitation of deliverables; monitoring / reporting);
- Managing and operating within internal controls relevant to all aspects of a financial management system;
- Demonstrated experience working with information and data management systems;
- Experience with Sage 300 an asset;
- Experience with budget, accounting, and reporting systems;
- Must have experience working with Microsoft Office Suite;
- Strong working knowledge of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles;
- Experience working with Federal Government organizations and representatives an asset;
- Must have an understanding, awareness and appreciation of indigenous culture and history;
- Willing to participate in ongoing education and training for the role including indigenous studies;
- Must be fluent in English (spoken and written). Fluency in French or an Indigenous language is considered an asset;
Equivalent or relevant education and / or experience may be considered.
Working Conditions
- This position ca be based in British Columbia.
- Remote or hybrid work arrangements may be considered;
- Requires regional and national travel.
What We Offer
- Salary and annual bonus eligibility;
- Flexible 37.5-hour work week
- Employer paid extended benefits;
- Matching group RPP contributions;
- Annual vacation allowance and generous paid stat & non-stat days;
- Work-life balance;
- Professional development & career growth opportunities.