Budget Analyst

Government of Alberta•Edmonton, AB

7d•Onsite

About The Position

The Alberta Public Service (APS) is taking a One Finance approach to the delivery of financial services. Financial services include the delivery of financial planning, reporting and operations, as well as ongoing engagement with policy and program areas to provide strategic decision-making support. There are three top leadership priorities that support this One Finance approach: proactively supporting our talent across the finance community; providing collaborative and responsive services to our business partners; and actively engaging in continuous improvement of the way we support each other and do business within our teams and across the entire finance community. To learn more about the Government of Alberta finance community and how you can make a positive difference in the lives of Albertans, we encourage you to visit our Finance Career Hub for more information. The Budget Analyst provides support and guidance to the Assistant Deputy Minister (ADM) and Executive Directors in an assigned Division by providing financial expertise in the management and administration of the Division's finances. The position is responsible for coordinating with professional and technical staff to ensure the integrity of financial information. To be effective in the role, the incumbent must consult directly with forecast preparers, reviewers and expenditure officers, in addition to providing strategic advice regarding budgeting, forecasting, reporting, grants and internal controls. This position plans and coordinates processes to ensure staff in assigned Division(s) are provided with instructions, guidance, and support required for budgeting and forecasting. The incumbent also reviews, analyzes, compiles and consolidates budget/forecast information prior to submission to the Corporate Financial Planning area (FP) for exercises such as funding requirements, salary and benefit reconciliations and business planning requirements. The incumbent will identify best practices regarding grant processes and reporting. The incumbent must demonstrate sound analytical abilities, the ability to multi-task and the ability to balance the needs of the assigned Division(s) with those of FP. Providing strategic advice, and responding to divisional inquiries on budgeting, forecasting, and information requests from the Minister, Executive Team and Treasury Board and Finance is also a function of this position.

Requirements

University graduation in a related field such Business, Finance, Accounting, Commerce or Management plus two years related experience; or equivalent as described below.
Equivalency: An equivalent combination of education and experience which is a minimum, completion of a recognized applied accounting degree or diploma program.

Nice To Haves

Knowledge and experience with budgeting, financial administration and financial forecasting and costing theories, techniques and processes.
Experience preparing briefing materials and presentations that translate financial data into meaningful information for decision makers.
Proficient skills in Microsoft Office, including Word, Outlook, Excel and PowerPoint
Experience working with relevant financial information systems, reporting tools and software (e.g., Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) / System Analysis Program (SAP) and ability to manipulate data sets using Excel.
Knowledge of the Government of Alberta's applicable legislation (e.g., Financial Administration Act, Fiscal Planning and Transparency Act, Government Organizational Act, and Alberta Public Agencies Act).
Knowledge of PSAS (Public Sector Accounting Standards) and the ability to interpret PSAS for the monitoring, recording, reporting and interpretation of financial information.

Responsibilities

Providing strategic and operational support to the assigned division for the development and preparation of the annual budget to ensure resources are best aligned and appropriately managed.
Managing and recommending allocations of the assigned areas' annual budget to ensure assigned divisions meet their business plan goals.
Co-ordinating and assisting program staff in preparing forecasts and monitoring expenditures.
Answering questions and following up on forecast inquiries from program staff and the Corporate Financial Planning area.
Providing advice on the interpretation of financial and accounting policies.
Working with program staff to ensure that financial information is categorized correctly (operating, consumption of inventory, inventory acquisition, capital investment), is complete and reflects the activities of the division.
Ensuring grants are administered according to department policies and procedures.
Facilitating the review of financial reports from stakeholders as requested by program area.
Assisting with the development and interpretation of financial reports and briefing materials submitted to senior and executive managers as a basis for making informed decisions.