Department: Finance

Reports To: Chief Administrative Officer

Location: Port Hood, NS

Position: Full-Time; Temporary [35 hours per week; 14 Month Term]

POSITION SUMMARY:

The Municipality of the County of Inverness is seeking an experienced Director of Finance to support the financial duties of the Municipality, as provided in Sections 37 and 38 of the Municipal Government Act.

Under the direction of the Chief Administrative Officer, the Director of Finance is a member of the senior management team that guides and administers the day-to-day operations of the municipality. Responsibilities include but are not limited to organization-wide financial activities, auditing, budget preparation, accounting, financial reporting, purchasing, revenue collection, payroll control and reconciliation, coordination of assigned activities with other departments and outside agencies, and providing highly responsible and complex financial administration support to the Chief Administrative Officer.

This role does require the attendance of meetings that are, at times, outside both the office setting and regular business hours, for example, with the Volunteer Fire Departments throughout the County.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Prepare, review, and evaluate a range of financial reports and statements, including the general ledger, budget variances, and regular monthly, quarterly, and annual reports.
• Lead the preparation, development, and administration of the Municipality's operating and capital budgets. Approve forecasts for staffing, equipment, and supplies; authorize expenditures and budget adjustments as necessary.
• Oversee the annual audit process, ensuring timely delivery of financial documentation in compliance with accounting and auditing standards. Provide necessary information to the Audit Committee to support successful audit completion.
• Develop and implement procedures, controls, and purchasing standards to ensure compliance with generally accepted accounting practices and procurement regulations.
• Monitor purchasing and financial functions for adherence to policies.
• Oversee all departmental services, including accounting, budgeting, internal auditing, revenue collection, land management, water billing and meter maintenance.
• Manage departmental goals, staffing, and service delivery standards in line with municipal policy.
• Select, train, and evaluate staff; coordinate professional development; delegate work effectively; manage performance issues in accordance with HR policies; and ensure completion of individual and team work plans.
• Monitor administrative systems and workloads; identify opportunities for efficiency; implement process improvements; and manage long-range financial planning and forecasting functions.
• Act as a liaison between the Finance Department and other municipal departments, elected officials, external service providers (including IT), agencies, and community stakeholders.
• Advise the Chief Administrative Officer on fiscal matters and policy impacts.
• Prepare and present staff reports and financial updates to Council quarterly, including year-end forecasts.
• Stay informed on legislative developments and emerging trends in municipal finance; participate in relevant training, municipal boards, and committees as required.
• Support the preparation and hosting of Property Tax Sales.
• Ensure timely completion and distribution of water and tax bills, along with collection of taxes, service fees, accounts payable, and accounts receivable.
• Address and resolve complex or sensitive public inquiries and complaints.
• Support the preparation and execution of municipal elections when required.
• Ability to maintain discretion and confidentiality with respect to all matters pertaining to the municipality.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES:

• Sound understanding of generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP), including fund and governmental accounting.
• In-depth knowledge of financial management practices, including budgeting, forecasting, auditing, revenue analysis, and financial planning.
• Skilled in preparing, evaluating, and presenting financial statements, reports, and recommendations.
• Ability to interpret and ensure compliance with financial policies, procedures, and regulatory requirements at the federal, provincial, and municipal levels.
• Proficient in financial record-keeping, reporting, purchasing, and internal audit processes.
• Capable of managing a comprehensive municipal financial program and overseeing complex budgets.
• Able to assess programs, analyze problems, and implement effective, data-driven solutions.
• Skilled at evaluating financial impacts of new legislation, policies, and service delivery models.
• Experience developing departmental goals, objectives, and performance measures.
• Proven ability to plan, organize, and coordinate work across teams and departments.
• Experience supervising, training, evaluating, and motivating staff while fostering a culture of accountability.
• Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to establish effective working relationships.
• Communicates clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.
• Knowledge of program development and administration within a municipal environment.
• Familiarity with applicable laws, codes, and regulations governing municipal operations and finance.
• Ability to manage the audit process and collaborate effectively with external auditors.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Post-secondary degree or diploma in a relevant field; Accounting, Administration or Finance; or an equivalent combination of education and demonstrated work experience;
• Chartered Professional Accounting (CPA) preferred;
• Minimum of five (5) years of experience in financial management or governmental accounting required;
• Three (3) to five (5) years of administrative and management responsibility;
• Demonstrated working knowledge of the Municipal Government Act. 1998, c. 18, s. 1. is required
• Experience with financial software (Diamond and Ceridian), considered an asset.

SAFETY:

The Municipality is committed to providing a safe and healthy work environment. The Director of Finance is expected to:

• Ensure all policies and procedures set forth by the Municipality of the County of Inverness are always observed.
• Report all work situations which are suspected of being unhealthy or unsafe.
• Report any employee whose on-the-job performance or actions contravenes established safety procedures or work practices.
• Report all near-misses and incidents.
• Report related injuries or property damage regardless of severity.
• Submit reports on accidents and other hazardous conditions discovered and promptly attend to all hazardous situations.

Note: This job description is not intended to be all-inclusive. Employees may perform other related duties to meet the ongoing needs of the Municipality.