Lac Ste. Anne County is a progressive rural municipality committed to responsible growth, strong governance, and service to its residents and business community. Located West of Edmonton, the County offers diverse economic opportunities supported by agriculture, tourism, recreation, and small business development.
The Finance Planning & Reporting Specialist is a detail-oriented finance professional with experience supporting municipal financial operations, including budgeting, financial reporting, and project costing. Skilled in preparing variance analysis, forecasts, reconciliations, and documentation to support accurate and timely financial decision-making. Proven ability to contribute to budget development, monitor capital and operating budgets, and ensure compliance with public sector policies, legislation, and internal controls. Strong analytical and organizational skills with a commitment to maintaining data integrity and delivering clear financial insights for management and Council reporting.
Duties and Responsibilities
Financial Operations & Data Management
- Perform accurate data entry and maintain financial records within the municipal financial system
- Prepare journal entries, reconciliations, and supporting schedules
- Develop and maintain detailed financial working papers to support transactions, reconciliations, and reporting
- Assist with month-end and year-end financial processes
- Ensure financial data integrity and compliance with internal controls, policies, and applicable legislation
Project Costing & Monitoring
- Summarize and report capital and operating project costs against approved budgets.
- Prepare and complete all reconciliations and journal entries for submission to the Finance Manager
- Produce quarterly variance reports on behalf of the Finance Department and coordinate with other departments to ensure completeness
- Verify project cost schedules and supporting working papers for accuracy and consistency
- Assist with grant and funding-related financial reporting
Financial Analysis & Reporting
- Prepare routine financial reports, summaries, and variance explanations using established templates
- Support financial reporting, in-year forecasting, and variance analysis through the preparation of detailed working papers and financial schedules
- Assist in the development of financial analysis and documentation for internal reports, management review, and Council materials
- Contribute to the continuous improvement of financial reporting processes, templates, and documentation
Budget Preparation & Forecasting
- Assist in the preparation of annual operating and capital budgets, including supporting schedules, templates, and working papers
- Compile departmental budget submissions, ensuring completeness, accuracy, and alignment with established guidelines
- Prepare multi-year financial plan schedules and key assumptions
- Support in-year budget monitoring, variance analysis, and forecasting activities
- Prepare draft budget summaries, reconciliation schedules, and explanatory notes for management and Council review
- Maintain clear, organized, and audit-ready documentation to support budget decisions and approvals
Learning & Development
- Develop working knowledge of Public Sector Accounting Standards (PSAS), legislation, policies, and procedures applicable to rural municipalities
- Learn and apply best practices in public sector financial management
- Take on progressively complex responsibilities as skills, knowledge, and confidence grow
- Build understanding of budgeting concepts and demonstrate willingness to learn public sector budget development processes
Qualifications
Education and Experience:
- Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, or a related field
- 3+ years of experience in full-cycle accounting and financial operations
- Experience within a municipality, supporting corporate finance functions including budgeting, variance analysis, and Council reporting, is preferred.
Skills and Attributes:
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
- Advance Excel skills (e.g., formulas, pivot tables, basic data analysis)
- Ability to prepare clear, well-organized working papers and supporting documentation
- High attention to detail and accuracy
- Ability to manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment
- Strong written and verbal communication skills
- Willingness to learn and work collaboratively in a small-team environment
- Excellent communication (oral and written) and interpersonal skills, including the ability to clearly communicate complex and technical information.
Working Conditions
- This is a full‑time temporary position for 12-month term, with the possibility of extension subject to organization needs and performance.
- The normal work schedule is 35 hours per week, Monday to Friday.
- Regular hours of work are 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
- The position is in-person, based in a professional, business-casual office environment, requiring extended periods of sitting, use of a computer, and regular interaction with staff, elected officials, and the public.
- Occasional attendance at meetings or events outside of regular business hours may be required.
Opportunity will remain open until a suitable candidate is found.
Application question(s):
- What are your salary expectations for this role?
Education:
- Bachelor's Degree (required)
Experience:
- Accounting & Finance: 3 years (required)
Work Location: In person
