Finance Manager – Accounting & Special Projects

Greater Moncton Wastewater Commission Job Description

Title: Finance Manager - Accounting & Special Projects

Organizational Context

TransAqua provides reliable, cost-efficient, and environmentally responsible wastewater services for Dieppe, Moncton, and Riverview. The organization supports regional planning, regulatory compliance, and community quality of life through effective operations and sound financial management.

Overall Purpose of the Role

Reporting to the Senior Finance Manager, the Finance Manager - Accounting & Special Projects is responsible for supporting and leading finance-related special projects, financial analysis, accounting activities, capital planning, budgeting, forecasting, and process improvement initiatives.

The Finance Manager - Accounting & Special Projects plays a critical role in ensuring financial systems operate efficiently and support accurate financial reporting and operational decision-making. The role also supports the finance team in month-end and annual close activities, ensuring deadlines are met and financial data is accurate and complete.

As a member of the management team, the Finance Manager - Accounting & Special Projects, as with all TransAqua positions, carries responsibility to actively promote and uphold the organization's safety program and culture, contributing to a respectful and positive work environment.

Key Accountabilities

Accounting and Financial Reporting

• Support month-end and annual close activities, including journal entries, reconciliations, supporting schedules, and account analysis.
• Assist with the preparation of financial statements, management reports, and variance analysis.
• Research and assist with the accounting treatment of complex, unusual, or non-routine transactions.
• Ensure financial information is accurate, complete, and recorded in accordance with applicable accounting standards and internal policies.
• Provide accounting support to the finance team and other departments as required.

Capital and Asset Management

• Support the preparation and ongoing monitoring of the capital budget and long-term capital plan.
• Monitor capital project expenditures, commitments, and forecasts against approved budgets.
• Assist with the appropriate accounting and classification of capital expenditures.
• Support asset management initiatives, project close-outs, and financial reporting related to capital assets.
• Provide financial analysis to support capital investment decisions and project prioritization.

Budgeting and Forecasting

• Assist with the preparation of annual operating and capital budgets.
• Prepare forecasts, financial projections, and supporting analysis throughout the year.
• Work with departments to understand budget assumptions, operational requirements, and financial impacts.
• Prepare scenario and sensitivity analyses to support long-term financial planning and analysis.
• Monitor actual results against budget and forecast and assist with identifying and explaining significant variances.

Process Improvement and Systems

• Identify opportunities to improve financial processes, reporting, workflows, and internal controls.
• Participate in financial system implementations, upgrades, enhancements, testing, and related initiatives.
• Support automation and reporting improvements to increase efficiency and improve the quality of financial information.
• Develop and maintain procedures, workflows, user guides, and process documentation.
• Contribute to continuous improvement initiatives across financial, operational, and administrative processes.

Special Projects and Financial Analysis

• Lead and support finance-related special projects and organizational initiatives as assigned.
• Prepare financial models, business cases, cost-benefit analyses, and scenario or sensitivity analyses to support decision-making.
• Provide financial analysis and support for major capital, operational, and strategic initiatives.
• Coordinate financial aspects of cross-functional projects and work with internal and external stakeholders as required.
• Monitor project budgets, commitments, forecasts, and financial results and report on significant variances.
• Support and coordinate Energy Management (EMAS) initiatives, including monitoring energy performance, analyzing consumption and costs, supporting energy-efficiency projects, and providing financial analysis and reporting to support the organization's energy management objectives.

Controls, Compliance and Audit

• Ensure compliance with internal controls, policies, procedures, and applicable accounting standards.
• Assist with internal and external audit preparation, including reconciliations, schedules, reports, and supporting documentation.
• Identify and report financial risks, errors, control gaps, or process inefficiencies and recommend improvements.
• Support the implementation and ongoing maintenance of effective financial controls.
• Assist with audit requests and follow-up items as required.

Collaboration and Stakeholder Support

• Collaborate with finance team members, management, operational staff, consultants, and external service providers.
• Prepare financial information, analysis, and presentations for management and other stakeholders as required.
• Provide financial guidance and support to departments on projects, budgets, accounting matters, and financial processes.
• Participate in committees, working groups, and organizational initiatives as assigned.
• Support the Senior Finance Manager and broader finance team in achieving operational and strategic objectives.

Reporting Relationships

The Finance Manager - Accounting & Special Projects reports to the Senior Finance Manager and works closely with the broader finance team to support operational and strategic objectives.

Education and Professional Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, Information Systems, or Business Administration
• Experience with financial systems implementation and maintenance required
• Accounting designation (CPA) with a minimum of 2-3 years of relevant post-designation experience.

Qualifications and Experience

• Strong knowledge of financial systems, ERP software, and reporting tools
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and organizational skills
• Ability to manage multiple tasks and deadlines in a fast-paced environment
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to support and train users
• Experience with process improvement and system automation
• Knowledge of public-sector or regulated utility finance is an asset