BUDGET & FINANCIAL ANALYST

City of Toronto•Toronto, ON

3d•CA$95,566 - CA$132,880•Onsite

About The Position

The Budget & Financial Analyst role is a temporary vacancy (up to 18 months) within Toronto Paramedic Services, PS Operational Support. This position is responsible for implementing detailed plans, recommending policies, and conducting research related to Toronto Paramedic Services' financial requirements. The analyst will ensure project expenditures are controlled within approved budget limitations, coordinate the preparation, analysis, implementation, and monitoring of operating and capital budgets, and perform in-depth analysis of budget variances. This role involves preparing business cases for new initiatives, developing financial models, and preparing reports for various stakeholders including City Council. The analyst will also provide ongoing support and training to program managers on budget management, and contribute to the development and implementation of divisional budget and financial control systems. Additionally, the position oversees divisional accounting and purchasing functions, reviews internal controls, and coordinates year-end reporting. The analyst will act as a resource for management on financial matters, provide direction to clerical staff, and establish professional relationships with various internal and external parties. The role also involves contributing to the development of financial planning systems, indirectly supervising technical aspects of the workforce, and providing input for performance appraisals.

Requirements

Post-secondary education in financial management or a related discipline, combined with a professional accounting designation or an approved equivalent of education and experience.
Considerable experience in business planning and financial management, including the development of financial strategies, plans, and performance measures within a large public- or private-sector organization.
Considerable experience in budget management, forecasting, financial reporting and analysis, including preparing briefing notes and presentations to support recommendations and decision-making.
Experience conducting financial trend analysis and proposing effective strategies.
Considerable experience analyzing and interpreting data from Excel, databases, and financial systems (e.g., SAP/S4 HANA) to support management decision-making.
Ability to effectively use computerized office systems and productivity software, including Microsoft Teams, Microsoft 365, Excel, Word, PowerPoint, and Access, to support daily operations and reporting requirements.
Knowledge of generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP), financial controls, auditing practices, and internal control frameworks.
Ability to provide financial advice, guidance, training, or support to managers and staff.
Ability to present complex financial information to diverse audiences and manage competing priorities within tight deadlines.
Highly developed interpersonal skills, including both oral and written communication skills, with an ability to interact and communicate effectively at all levels of the organization.
Ability to effectively plan, organize, monitor and coordinate the budgetary process in a complex organization.
Ability to conduct research and analyze data.
Thorough knowledge of principles and practices employed in effective application of budget and financial analysis and planning techniques of major business and government operations.
Superior analytical, problem solving and conflict resolution skills.
Ability to exercise good judgement and to prioritize important issues from a fiscal and political/policy perspective.
Ability to manage multiple tasks under pressure and produce results within tight timeframes.
Excellent interpersonal skills with the demonstrated ability to establish effective working relationships with staff, internal and external clients.
Ability to take initiative and work independently as well as work in a team environment managing multiple tasks under pressure, and to produce results within tight timeframes.
Understanding and application of the collective agreements.
Familiarity with government legislation in the area of Occupational Health and Safety.

Responsibilities

Implements detailed plans and recommends policies regarding Toronto Paramedic Services requirements.
Conducts research into assigned area ensuring that such research takes into account developments within the field, corporate policies and practices, legislation and initiatives by other levels of government.
Ensures that the project expenditures are controlled and maintained within approved budget limitations.
Coordinates the preparation, analysis, implementation and monitoring of the operating and capital budgets following corporate and divisional budgetary guidelines.
Performs analysis and investigation of budget variances, including both high level and program level analysis of expenditures, revenues, and gapping performance; highlights to management relevant financial issues with strategic and operational impacts, and recommends options towards resolution of issues.
Prepares business cases of new or enhanced programs/projects/initiatives by developing financial models and sensitivity scenarios with a clear understanding of program needs and resource constraints.
Prepares and/or reviews the briefing notes and staff reports to the Council, Standing Committees, or Boards for any financial implications.
Prepares specialized reports requested by Corporate Finance, City Council, commissions, provincial ministries which may entail development of analytical frameworks or specific financial methodologies or approaches.
Provides continuing assistance (coaching, training) to various program managers in the effective management of their budgets.
Develops and participates in the implementation of divisional budget and financial control systems, accounting and financial monitoring policies and procedures to ensure data integrity and effective cost centre management as well as identification of continuous improvement opportunities through ongoing operational reviews.
Prepares provincial budgets, settlements and interim reports for various programs that are eligible for provincial funding, in compliance with guidelines.
Monitors and establishes measures to ensure maximum use of provincial funding, minimize city expenditures, and ensure year-end expenditures do not exceed the approved budget as well as the maximum funding limits set by the province.
Oversees divisional accounting, purchasing, petty cash, PCard, payables, receivables, signing authority management, internal control systems, to ensure consistency with generally accepted accounting principles.
Reviews internal control procedures and performs audits as requested. Recommends modifications/enhancements to internal control systems. Acts as contact for external auditors reviewing provincially funded settlements.
Coordinates year-end reporting requirements by performing analysis/reconciliation of financial transactions, oversees the preparation of adjusting journal entries to ensure consistency with approved budgets, and submission of required documentation to Corporate Finance within established timelines.
Acts as a resource person to Division's management staff in budgeting, accounting, auditing, internal control and all other related financial matters.
Provides direction, training and a coordination role to clerical staff in the Division, in budgeting, accounting and purchasing policies and procedures. Reviews work assignments of clerical staff to ensure that reports are comprehensive and accurate.
Establishes effective professional relationships with divisional staff, Corporate Finance, contracted agencies, provincial counterparts, internal and external auditors, etc.
Provides lead role in the maintenance of divisional organizational structure and required changes to financial system chart of accounts.
Contributes to the development of enhanced or new financial planning systems, helps define divisional requirements and identify impacts on financial planning processes.
Supervises indirectly the workforce on a day-to-day basis for technical matters (e.g. analytical frameworks, methodologies, output review, and training).
Provides input to the Manager in the performance appraisal and workload planning concerning the workforce.