Financial Analyst (term)

Town of Cochrane

$100K *
Finance & Insurance
Less than 5 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Business, Finance, or a related field; CPA designation preferred.
  • At least 3 years of post-qualification experience in accounting or finance; municipal experience preferred.
  • Familiarity with financial reporting and ERP systems, especially Dynamics Great Plains, is an asset.
  • Experience in documenting business workflows and identifying process efficiencies.
  • Strong knowledge of municipal accounting standards and legislation, including MGA and PSAS.
  • Ability to provide financial analysis and interpret data effectively.
  • Advanced skills in Microsoft Excel and proficiency with data visualization tools like Power BI.

Responsibilities

  • Prepare and analyze financial reports to evaluate project cost-effectiveness and funding options.
  • Provide expertise in financial reporting, budgeting, and forecasting to support decision-making.
  • Maintain financial models and dashboards to reflect accurate financial standing.
  • Review reports and contracts for compliance with internal policies and external regulations.
  • Ensure financial data integrity through the application of internal controls and accounting standards.
  • Assist in year-end processes and collaborate with external auditors.
  • Support departments in developing accurate financial forecasts and responding to analytical requests.

Benefits

  • Contribute to innovative financial strategies that drive municipal projects.
  • Join a collaborative multidisciplinary team focused on community impact.
  • See the direct effect of your work on services and infrastructure.
  • Opportunities for career development in a growing community with strong fiscal stewardship.
  • Access to continuous learning opportunities, competitive benefits, and pension.
Full Job Description
The Financial Reporting team is essential to maintaining the organization's financial integrity, accountability, and transparency. Through the delivery of timely, accurate, and meaningful financial insights, the team empowers informed decision-making across all levels of the organization while ensuring full compliance with legislative and regulatory standards.

The Financial Analyst supports this mandate by transforming complex financial information into clear, actionable insights. As a senior financial resource and strategic business partner, you will collaborate with finance teams, operational departments, and organizational leadership to deliver high-quality analysis, professional advice, and evidence-based recommendations. This role is ideal for a finance professional who values accuracy, accountability, and public service, and who thrives in a dynamic environment with diverse financial responsibilities. In addition to financial reporting and analysis, the position plays an important role in supporting financial systems and ERP processes, documenting business workflows, and advancing continuous improvement initiatives across the organization.

Please note: This is a term position until December 31, 2028, with possibility of extension. It's a unique chance to contribute to financial processes, support efficient operations, and be part of a team that values collaboration, efficiency, and integrity.

In this role, you will dig deeply into financial data, interpret results, and translate your findings into well-reasoned recommendations that support sound decision-making. You bring strong professional judgment, a detail-oriented approach, and the ability to connect information from multiple sources to solve problems, identify emerging issues, and proactively bring forward insights. Familiarity with municipal financial operations is an advantage and will help you excel in this role, particularly when navigating complex reporting requirements and capital planning frameworks.

Key Responsibilities
• Prepare and analyze financial, statistical, and analytical reports and models to assess project cost-effectiveness, risk, trends, and funding options.
• Provide senior-level accounting and financial analysis expertise to support accurate financial reporting, budgeting, forecasting, and organizational decision-making.
• Prepare monthly financial and capital asset reports, forecasts, variance analyses, and maintain financial models, tools, and dashboards.
• Review financial components of reports, contracts, agreements, and funding arrangements for accuracy and compliance with policies, legislation, and internal controls.
• Ensure the accuracy, completeness, and integrity of financial data by applying internal controls, accounting standards, and identifying issues requiring escalation.
• Prepare year-end adjustments and working papers for external auditors.
• Support departments in identifying financial data needs and developing short- and long-term operating and capital forecasts and plans.
• Respond to ad hoc financial data requests and analysis needs from internal and external stakeholders.
• Act as a senior financial resource, providing expert advice, insights, and recommendations to finance, operations, and leadership teams.
• Contribute to continuous improvement of financial processes, systems, and reporting frameworks to enhance efficiency, transparency, and accountability
• Participate in ERP optimization initiatives by supporting system maintenance, testing, troubleshooting, reporting enhancements, and user adoption across finance and operational departments
• Lead the documentation and continuous improvement of financial and business processes, ensuring procedures are clearly defined, current, and aligned with organizational objectives and internal control requirements

Qualifications
• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Business, Finance, or a related field; CPA designation preferred.
• Minimum 3 years of post qualification experience in accounting or finance, or an equivalent combination of education and experience; municipal experience preferred.
• Experience with financial reporting and ERP systems (Dynamics Great Plains an asset), including system administration, testing, troubleshooting, report development, user support, and process improvement initiatives
• Experience documenting business processes, workflows, and procedures, with the ability to identify efficiencies and support organizational change and continuous improvement efforts
• Strong knowledge of municipal accounting rules, legislation, and standards (e.g., MGA, PSAS) for both operating and capital budgeting.
• Understanding of offsite levies, developer cost charges, and growth related funding mechanisms.
• Proficiency with financial analysis, report preparation, and data interpretation.
• Ability to identify and recommend improvements to financial systems and applications.
• Strong communication and relationship building skills across all levels of the organization.
• Excellent organizational skills with the ability to manage priorities and meet deadlines.
• Advanced skills in Microsoft Excel (PivotTables, Power Query, financial modeling), PowerPoint, and data visualization tools such as Power BI.

Why Join Us
• Shape Cochrane's future by applying your financial expertise to support responsible growth and strong fiscal stewardship.
• Contribute to innovative financial strategies and reporting that drive long-term planning and high-value municipal projects.
• Work with a supportive, multidisciplinary team that values collaboration, integrity, and thoughtful problem-solving.
• See the direct impact of your work on municipal services, infrastructure, and residents' quality of life.
• Develop your career in a thriving, rapidly growing community with excellent compensation, benefits, and continuous learning opportunities

If you're ready to put your financial expertise to work in a role where your insights directly shape community outcomes, we encourage you to apply.
• Qualified individuals are encouraged to submit a resume and cover letter outlining how their experience aligns with the required qualifications, skills, and abilities.
• All qualified candidates will be requested to complete an online suitability survey
• Applications for this position will be accepted until 9pm MST Aug 30, 2026 at www.cochrane.ca/jobs
• $52.36/hour based on 35 hours/week + benefits and pension!

We thank all applicants for their interest, however only those selected for an interview will be contacted. All applicants must be legally entitled to live and work in Canada.

Land Acknowledgement
In the spirit of reconciliation, we acknowledge that we live, work and play on the traditional territories of the Blackfoot Confederacy (Siksika, Kainai, Piikani), the Tsuut'ina, the Îyâxe Nakoda Nations, the Métis Nation (Region 3), and all people who make their homes in the Treaty 7 region of Southern Alberta.

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