Finance Manager

Position Title:Finance Manager

Organization:Town of Devon

Job Type:Full-Time, Permanent

Work Schedule:37.5-hour work week (8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.)

Application Deadline:Friday, January 3rd, 2025

Position Overview

The Town of Devon is looking for a highly skilled and experienced Manager of Finance to join our Corporate Services team. In this key leadership role, you will be responsible for ensuring the municipality’s financial stability, long-term sustainability, and adherence to financial regulations, while providing strategic guidance to support our growing community.

This position offers a unique opportunity to lead a professional accounting services team, overseeing budgeting, financial reporting, audits, and the implementation of financial policies. If you are a results-driven, detail-oriented financial professional with a passion for public service and fiscal responsibility, we invite you to apply and help shape the future of Devon.

Key Responsibilities

Financial Management & Planning

• Accountable for the municipality's financial accounting systems and procedures, ensuring accuracy, compliance with regulatory standards, and efficiency in accounting processes (accounts receivable, accounts payable, and reporting), including appropriate systems and internal controls.
• Lead the preparation, administration, and monitoring of the Town’s Department’s Operating and Capital budgets, ensuring alignment with municipal goals and strategic objectives.
• Coordinate the development of departmental and municipal long-term financial plans, ensuring sustainability and effective resource allocation.
• Manage the municipal taxation process and property assessments, including establishing mill rates required by the budget and ensuring accurate tax billing and collections.
• Manage the administration of operational and capital grants, including grant applications, tracking, reporting, and compliance.
• Monitor and manage municipal revenues, reserves, debt, and investments to ensure financial sustainability and adequate liquidity for future capital projects.
• Prepare regular financial reports (month-end, year-end general ledger procedures), and year-end financial statements in accordance with GAAP and Public Sector Accounting standards.
• Accountable for the success of the year-end audit processes and the municipal financial information return.
• Lead regular monthly variance analysis and financial reviews to identify trends and provide insights into fiscal health and opportunities for improvement.
• Assist with insurance and risk management functions, ensuring adequate coverage and compliance with municipal risk management policies.
• Review and approve all municipal bank accounts to ensure accuracy and compliance with internal controls and regulations.

Policy Development & Administration

• Develop corporate services policies for financial procedures, controls, and systems to support sound fiscal management and ensure compliance with municipal legislation and regulations.
• Monitor legislative changes, ensuring organizational compliance with all applicable bylaws, Acts, and regulations, and track trends that may impact the community or the municipality’s financial operations.
• Prepare and present reports, proposals, and policy recommendations to the municipal leadership team to support decision-making processes.

Leadership & Staff Management

• Lead a diverse team of professionals managing accounts payable/receivable, taxation, utility billing, and cash receipting, while ensuring effective oversight of staff timecard approvals, leave requests, and compliance with payroll and benefits policies.
• Drive continuous process improvement and enhance departmental efficiency by providing constructive feedback, conducting performance reviews, updating job descriptions, and implementing targeted training initiatives.
• Work closely with other departments and external partners to ensure effective coordination, resource allocation, and achievement of municipal goals. Participate in cross-departmental leadership meetings to drive organizational priorities.
• Lead major financial projects, initiatives, and continuous improvement processes to optimize financial operations and reduce risks to the municipality.

Strategic Financial Leadership

• Serve as the technical expert on Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) and Public Sector Accounting Standards (PSAS), financial reporting, and analysis.
• Provide financial insights and recommendations to support long-term planning and decision-making by senior leadership.
• Lead financial forecasting, scenario planning, and budgeting processes to ensure the municipality’s financial sustainability in changing economic conditions.
• Continuously evaluate and improve financial and administrative processes to enhance service delivery, reduce costs, and optimize operational efficiency.
• Participate in the selection of financial software and be accountable for its implementation and functionality, with key components being the automation of existing processes and integration with current systems.

Organizational Support

• Actively engage with the public and ratepayers to address inquiries regarding financial policies, documents, and the municipality’s financial operations, and interpret bylaws, Acts, and statutory regulations as needed.
• Contribute to the municipality’s Health and Safety Program by promoting a positive culture where safety is prioritized across all operations.
• Undertake other duties as assigned by the General Manager of Corporate Services.

Our Ideal Candidate

• A post-secondary degree in Business Administration, Accounting, Commerce, Public Administration, or a related discipline; CPA designation preferred or in progress.
• 3-5 years of management experience in municipal finance or a related field, with proven expertise in financial planning, budgeting, auditing, and oversight of key functions like property tax, grants, and reserves management.
• Familiarity with financial management systems (e.g., SylogistGov, Questica) and a strong understanding of GAAP, Public Sector Accounting Standards, and municipal finance regulations.
• Excellent leadership, team management, and mentoring skills.
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, PowerPoint) and financial software.
• Exceptional analytical and communication skills, with the ability to present complex financial data clearly.
• Highly organized, capable of managing multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment, and self-motivated to work independently.
• Ability to be full-time on-site; remote work may be considered seasonally.

Our Total Compensation Package Includes:

• An annual salary ranging from $97,006 to $122,222, based on experience and education.
• Employer-paid health and dental benefits (extended coverage, vision, travel insurance, long-term disability, life insurance)
• Health and Wellness Spending Account
• Local Authorities Pension Plan (LAPP)
• Annual sick days, personal days, and vacation (starting at 3 weeks)
• Professional development opportunities (conference and seminar support)
• Access to the Mental Health & Wellness Committee and Social Committee events

How to Apply

The Town of Devon is an equal opportunity employer. Interested candidates are encouraged to submit their applications through our online applicant tracking system.

We remind applicants that apre-employment requirementis a Criminal Record Check & valid Driver’s License and satisfactory Driver’s Abstract.

We appreciate all applicants for their interest in this opportunity. Only those shortlisted for an interview will be contacted.