Financial Analyst I

Requisition ID: 42631

Organization

Located on the traditional, ancestral and unceded lands of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) Peoples, Vancouver has a commitment to becoming a City of Reconciliation. Vancouver consistently ranks as one of the world's most liveable and environmentally sustainable cities. Named among Canada's Top 100 Employers, BC's Top Employers, and Canada's Greenest Employers, the City of Vancouver seeks colleagues who can help shape and embody our core commitments to sustainability, reconciliation, equity and outstanding quality of life for all residents.

Consider joining our committed team of staff and being part of an innovative, inclusive and rewarding workplace.

Main Purpose and Function

Reporting to the Manager of Capital Budgets, the Financial Analyst 1 plays a leadership role in the delivery of Corporate Financial Planning & Analysis functions within Capital processes. This exempt position involves working closely with Departmental FP&A as well as various Senior Staff members throughout the organization.

More specifically, this role is responsible for a variety of duties including, but not limited to, coordinating, analyzing and monitoring the City's annual Capital budget, developing and refining budget policies and strategies, making recommendations to improve processes and systems related to capital budgeting, working with large amounts of data and using logic to produce our various monthly and quarterly reporting packages, analyzing quarterly and month reporting results from departments and providing feedback and recommendations, monitoring and analyzing departmental expenditures, implementing approved budgetary changes and analyzing complex budgetary information, analysis and review of value-for-money proposals, and provision of project management or assistance with FP&A initiatives. This position also involves assisting departments in resolving financial issues and providing consultation on corporate initiatives with budgetary impacts.

Another key component of the position includes project work to deliver general process improvements, including designing, planning, coordinating, and implementing assigned projects.

Specific Duties/Responsibilities

Budgeting, Reporting and Forecasting:

• Play a leadership role in budget processes and timelines
• Develop and maintain all necessary financial models
• Consolidate departmental submissions, review and make recommendations as well as report results
• Work with departmental FP&A and operational staff to conduct comprehensive reviews of budgets and forecasts to identify funding needs and opportunities for savings
• Preparation of Council reports and presentations to Senior Managers, City Manager, CMT, and Council
• Conduct financial, cash flow and economic impact studies of expenditure programs, and report on findings
• Analyze budgets, performance indicators, business plans and on-going financial results
• Develop, analyze, and review value-for-money proposals for departmental projects/initiatives, including cost benefit analysis to justify spending and quantify impact on budgets and forecasts
• Manage relationships with departments and external organizations if applicable
• Make recommendations to improve the value-for-money of proposed and ongoing capital projects
• Make recommendations to prioritize capital projects and manage overall capital spend
• Make capital funding recommendations

Concurrences e.g., Council Reports and Shopping Carts/Procurement:

• Validate standing authority and policies as they relate to the Council report and Shopping Carts
• Review Council report for operational and strategic alignment with City objectives
• Validate financial implications and funding sources
• Provide concurrence on report and recommendation for approval of shopping cart

Process Improvement Projects:

• Identify existing areas in the budgeting, forecasting, reporting and Council report concurrences that will benefit from process and/or policy improvements within FP&A, the Financial Services Group, and the City as a whole.
• Identify new areas where strategic or transformational processes can be implemented
• Lead project implementation, managing direct and indirect project team members
• Work with external parties, where required
• Provide supporting role in projects, where applicable
• Develop new tools, processes and deliverables as required or recommend improvements to existing tools, processes and deliverables
• Track and report on project progress to senior management
• Develop end-user documentation and training material, where required
• Post implementation review and follow-up
• Ad-hoc support on departmental deliverables, where required
• Other duties/responsibilities as assigned

Minimum Position Requirements

Education and Experience:

• An undergraduate degree and a professional accounting designation or MBA
• Minimum 4-5 years with extensive experience in budgeting, forecasting, reporting, and accounting preferably within a large organization
• Advanced financial systems experience, preferably with SAP (PS, IM, CO modules) as well as Business Intelligence (BI) reporting environments
• Good working knowledge of generally accepted accounting principles as they relate to local government including PSAB
• Extensive experience delivering strategic, transformational and general process improvements, including all aspects of project delivery, from identification to implementation and hand-off
• Project management experience
• Experience with presentations to senior management
• Formal report writing experience

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Superior and Advanced level Excel skills (e.g., ability to work with large amounts of data/create pivot tables, ad hoc reports, etc. in a timely manner)
• Strong systems experience (ability to work with large financial systems, generate reports, analyze data, etc.)
• Experience with financial modules of SAP including Project Systems and Investment Management (PS, IM)
• Superior verbal communication, written communication, and business analysis skills
• Excellent interpersonal skills, and ability to work with minimal supervision; a self-starter
• Demonstrated ability to work independently and as a member of a team
• Excellent analytical and technical skills, as well as robust knowledge of budgeting concepts and principles
• Strong business acumen and capability to link finance to business operations
• Extensive knowledge of computer and enterprise systems and solutions
• Ability to represent and serve the City at all levels, as well as interact with customers and clients outside the organization
• Excellent organizational and project management skills, with ability to play a leadership role in multiple tasks with competing priorities
• Problem-solving and issue resolution skills in a complex business environment
• Ability to maintain professionalism, objectivity, confidentiality, tact and diplomacy

Where operationally appropriate and subject to change, the City of Vancouver has a Flexible Work Program. This program allows staff to work remotely 1 - 4 days a week from locations that are a daily commutable distance from their work at a City worksite. At this time this position is eligible to be part of the Flexible Work Program.

Business Unit/Department: Finance & Supply Chain Mgmt (1150)

Affiliation: Exempt

Employment Type: Temporary Full Time

Position Start Date: December 2024

Position End Date: January 2026

Salary Information: Pay Grade RNG-080: ​​​​$97,032 to $121,294 per annum

Application Close: November 24, 2024

At the City of Vancouver, we are committed to recruiting a diverse workforce that represents the community we so proudly serve. Indigenous peoples, people of colour, 2SLGBTQ+ persons including all genders and persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply. Accommodations will be provided upon request during the selection process. Learn more about our commitment to diversity and inclusion.

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In addition to uploading your cover letter and resume, part of the application process may include answering application questions related to the preferred requirements of the role which may take approx. 5-10 minutes. Cover letters should express interest and highlight additional information relevant to the position and resumes should include a summary of skills and experience related to the position.