Director Financial Accounting

About Us

At the Department of Finance and Treasury Board, we work to preserve the fiscal capacity of government by providing financial leadership, analysis, and advice for ongoing fiscal sustainability of the Province. As stewards of the Province’s financial affairs, we deliver a wide range of corporate fiscal and management services, including the preparation of the provincial budget, forecast updates, and year-end financial statements, as well as review departmental submissions to Executive Council and its sub-committees to ensure government plans are coordinated and financial elements are thoroughly understood.

Our goal is to be a diverse workforce that is representative, at all job levels, of the citizens we serve.  Under the Government of Nova Scotia’s Employment Equity Policy, we welcome applications from Aboriginal People, African Nova Scotians and Other Racially Visible Persons, Persons with Disabilities, and Women in occupations or positions where they are under-represented. We encourage you to self-identify during the application process in your cover letter and resume.

About Our Opportunity

The Department of Finance and Treasury Board is looking for a strong team leader and communicator with very good relationship-building skills, who is interested in joining a professional team with a focus on technical financial accounting matters in the public sector and that will engage with departments, entities, and other professionals to facilitate solutions. 

The Director, Financial Accounting will oversee the Province’s accounting in accordance with Public Sector Accounting Standards and ensure the proper accounting of various employee future benefit plans and tangible capital assets, as well as ensure the Province’s general ledger and subsidiary financial information systems produce sound financial reporting.

This position reports to the Executive Director, Government Accounting and will have Financial Accountants and Junior Financial Accountant(s) reporting into them.

Primary Accountabilities

The Director Financial Accounting will also be responsible for the mentoring and scheduling of any Junior Accountants, who work on a rotational basis across the Department.

• researching, analyzing, recommending, and implementing Canadian public sector accounting standards to be used by the Province and its controlled entities
• developing, implementing, maintaining, and interpreting accounting policies
• providing expert financial accounting advice on complex issues and financial reporting matters to senior management, departments, and entities
• preparing year-end consolidated financial statements and related financial documents for the Province of Nova Scotia.
• Coordinating and preparing clear, accurate, and timely accounting opinions, facilitating presentations and training sessions.
• Providing insightful accounting advice on an on-going basis throughout the financial reporting cycle. 
• working periodically with the controlled entities (approx. 50+ consolidated government entities, including four government business enterprises) to provide technical accounting and analytical support. 

Qualifications and Experience

The successful candidate must possess a professional accounting designation (CPA – CA, CGA, or CMA) and have at least four years’ experience in an accounting/financial role with some management/ leadership experience.  An acceptable equivalent combination of education, training, and experience may be considered. 

You have demonstrated strong technical competence in applying the Canadian public sector accounting standards, knowledge, and experience of accounting for tangible capital assets, employee future benefit plans, and other emerging issues, and use of professional judgement in decision making.   You have research and analytical thinking skills, and can develop solutions to technical accounting issues. You have experience in the preparation of consolidated/unconsolidated financial statements and working knowledge of ERP accounting software. You are proficient using Microsoft applications including Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint, as well as current knowledge of the various accounting frameworks.  Strong analytical and excellent communication skills are essential in this role.

You build collaborative working relationships within government valuing an inclusive workplace, you can simultaneously manage a team and multiple assignments with conflicting and urgent deadlines, and exercise discretion at all times with sensitive and highly confidential information.  Attention to details, the utmost accuracy, and exceptional analytical, writing, and organizational skills are also required.

Assets for this role include:

• A strong understanding of SAP and the asset accounting module
• Working knowledge of the government’s financial reporting processes and requirements

Competencies for this level include: Decisiveness, Strategic Orientation, Developing Others, Team Leadership, Self-Awareness and Personal Impact, Effective Interactive Communication, Partnering and Relationship Building, and Intercultural and Diversity Proficiency

We will assess the above qualifications and competencies using one or more of the following tools:  written examinations, oral presentations, interviews, and reference checks.

Equivalency

Applicants relying on education and experience equivalencies must demonstrate such equivalencies in their application.

Benefits

Based on the employment status and union agreement, the Government of Nova Scotia offers its employees a wide range of benefits such as a Defined Benefit Pension Plan, Health, Dental, Life Insurance, General illness, Short and Long Term Disability, Vacation and Employee and Family Assistance Programs.  For information on all our Benefit program offerings, click here: Benefits for government employees.

What We Offer

• Career Development where you have access to career guidance, tools, resources, and ongoing training for every stage of your career
• Engaging workplace: our Employees feel valued, respected, connected, and tuned in, we have forward-thinking policies and strategies
• Countless career paths
• A dynamic, client-focused office environment where service excellence and teamwork are our focus