Senior Financial Analyst

ARROW Utilities, a Capital Region Commission is a regional services Commission providing wastewater transmission and treatment in 13 municipalities surrounding the City of Edmonton. Our mission is to provide safe, reliable, cost efficient, and environmentally responsible wastewater transmission and treatment service.

OPPORTUNITY

There is an exciting opportunity to join our team. This position reports to the Financial Controller and is primarily responsible for:  

Accounting Operations & Financial Reporting:

• Support day-to-day accounting operations and provide backup coverage to accounts payable, payroll, benefits, and other finance functions as required.
• Support month-end, quarter-end, and year-end close processes, including reconciliations, journal entries, accruals, and financial analysis.
• Prepare and review financial reports, schedules, disclosures, and supporting documentation to ensure accurate and timely financial reporting, compliance with applicable legislation, accounting standards, internal policies, grant reporting, government surveys (ie. Stats Canada), and other reporting requirements.
• Provide technical accounting guidance and recommendations on emerging accounting and financial reporting matters to support accurate, consistent, and timely financial information.
• Provide financial and accounting analysis, variances, trends, and advice on financial risks, emerging issues, and reporting matters to support informed decision-making.

Budgeting, Forecasting & Financial Analysis:

• Support the development and maintenance of operating and capital budgets, forecasts, and long-term financial plans.
• Develop and maintain financial models and analytical tools supporting budgeting, forecasting, utility rate-setting, capital planning, and long-term financial planning.
• Prepare financial projections, scenarios, sensitivities, and business-case analysis related to operating costs, revenues, rates, capital requirements, asset renewal, reserves, and debt.
• Provide finance business support to departments, including budget monitoring, forecasting, variance analysis, and financial advice.
•  Support the Financial Controller and Engineering Asset Manager with financial analysis related to asset management, capital planning, infrastructure investment, asset renewal, and long-term funding requirements.

Internal Controls, Policies & Procedures:

• Support the Financial Controller in maintaining effective internal controls and compliance with financial policies, procedures, legislation, and organizational requirements.
• Identify control gaps, process risks, and opportunities for improvement and recommend appropriate enhancements.
• Assist in the development, review, and implementation of financial policies, procedures, guidelines, and business processes.
• Support financial reporting and compliance initiatives, external audit activities, and the assessment and strengthening of internal control processes.

Financial Systems & Continuous Improvement:  

• Support the effective use and enhancement of ERP, financial planning, rate modelling, asset management, and financial reporting systems.
• Identify and implement opportunities to improve financial processes, reporting, controls, automation, data quality, and service delivery.
• Participate in system implementations, testing, process improvements, and other finance initiatives.
• Develop and maintain financial models, templates, reports, and tools that improve efficiency, consistency, and decision-making.
• Support the Financial Controller in monitoring the effectiveness of financial processes and implementing improvements as required.

Collaboration & Finance Business Support: 

• Build effective working relationships across all departments and operational areas, as well as with key internal and external stakeholders, to support effective financial management and decision-making.
• Provide timely and practical financial advice, guidance and analysis to departments to support operational and strategic decisions that align with financial policies, procedures, controls, and appropriate financial practices.
• Translate complex financial information into clear, actionable recommendations for financial and non-financial stakeholders.
• Collaborate with finance and operational teams to support organizational priorities and ensure alignment of financial plans and business objectives.
• Contribute to a collaborative, accountable, service-oriented, and continuous improvement culture within the finance function.

QUALIFICATIONS

To be a successful candidate you must: 

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, Economics, or a related discipline; CPA designation or progress toward a CPA designation is considered an asset.
• Strong knowledge of financial analysis, budgeting, forecasting, financial modelling, accounting principles, and financial reporting.
• Demonstrated proficiency with financial modelling, spreadsheets, data analysis, and financial planning/ERP systems.
• Knowledge of utility rate-setting, capital planning, asset management, reserves, debt, and long-term financial sustainability is highly desirable.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, communication, organization, and collaboration skills, with the ability to explain complex financial information to both financial and non-financial stakeholders.

EXPERIENCE

• 5–7 years of progressively responsible financial analysis or accounting experience, preferably in a public-sector, municipal, or utility environment.
• Demonstrated experience developing and maintaining financial models, budgets, forecasts, business cases, and scenario analyses.
• Experience supporting utility rate modelling, capital planning, asset management, reserves, debt management, and long-term financial planning is considered an asset.
• Experience analyzing financial results, variances, trends, and risks and developing clear recommendations for senior leadership and operational stakeholders.
• Experience working collaboratively with accounting and payroll functions, with a strong understanding of internal controls and financial processes.

COMPENSATION

This position is a hybrid opportunity, with the ability to work from home 2 days a week. We work a compressed work week: this position is based on 70 hours every two weeks, with every other Friday as an earned day off.  

The salary range for this position is $111,898 - 126,291 per annum. We provide a comprehensive benefits package, paid time off, and eligibility for the Local Authorities Pension Plan.

Please note: Our plant is located outside of Fort Saskatchewan and public transit is not available