Manager of Finance

Mahone Bay is a picturesque coastal town on the northwest shore of Mahone Bay along the South Shore of Nova Scotia in Lunenburg County. With a population of 1,064 (2021) and an area of just 3.12 km2, the Town of Mahone Bay provides comprehensive services to residents and businesses including water, wastewater and electrical utility services. The Town's 2025-26 budgeted operating expenditures totaled $9.22 million with budgeted capital expenditures of $17.04 million.

Title: Manager of Finance

Reports to: Chief Administrative Officer

Status: Full time

Location: Town Hall, 493 Main Street

Hours: Monday - Friday, 8:30 am - 4:30 pm plus some evening meetings

Scope

The Manager reports to the Chief Administrative Officer and is accountable for the day-to-day operations of the Finance Department, financial reporting and controls, accounting and treasury functions, payroll and benefits administration and budget preparation and forecasting. The Manager works with department heads to provide timely advice and recommendations to the CAO and Council on important issues and ensure that policy and procedures are followed, and services delivered on their behalf.

Qualifications

• A University Degree/Diploma in Accounting, Finance, or Business Administration, or a closely related field.
• Chartered Professional Accountant designation would be an asset.
• Considerable knowledge of modern governmental accounting theory, principles, and practices.
• Considerable knowledge of internal control procedures and management information systems.
• Considerable knowledge of office automation and computerized financial applications.
• Considerable knowledge of public finance and fiscal planning.
• Ability to prepare, analyze, and interpret/communicate complex financial reports.
• Ability to maintain efficient and effective financial systems and procedures.
• Ability to effectively supervise other financial staff.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with employees and municipal officials.
• Ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing.

Summary of Principle Duties and Functions

The following is a general outline of the duties and responsibilities of the Manager of Finance. The listing is not intended to be all-inclusive or to limit the Manager's initiative to expand their function beyond this scope nor is it intended to limit the Chief Administrative Officer's right to assign other duties.

• Adhere to the Town of Mahone Bay's Human Resource Policies.
• Carry out the requirements of the Human Resource Policies as they apply to the Finance Department staff.
• Responsible for the effective and efficient operation and general administration of the Finance Department and to ensure that it functions properly at all times.
• The Manager of Finance shall be designated, pursuant to the Municipal Government Act, the Treasurer of the Town and is thereby responsible for the statutory duties outlined therein.
• Act as the chief financial advisor to the Chief Administrative Officer and, through the CAO, to Council.
• Act as the primary staff resource for the Audit Committee, Finance Committee, and support for other boards and committees as assigned by the CAO.
• Attend committee meetings and other such meetings as requested by Council.
• Collaborate with the management team to carry out the strategic priorities of Council.
• Keep up to date and adhere to the Financial Reporting and Accounting Manual (FRAM).
• Participates as a senior member of the management team in the development of corporate and department program goals and objectives through participation in a corporate planning process.
• Establish and monitor an internal control system to ensure such is appropriate to maintain proper controls.
• Take a lead role in budget preparation and coordination of departmental budgets, both operating and capital.
• Monitor all expenditures within the operating and capital budgets, ensuring that they are authorized, properly coded and recorded, and on a regular basis advising the CAO respecting the same.
• Review G/L balances and ledgers for proper distribution of revenue and expenditures per policy and FRAM.
• Prepares monthly, annual and special reports as directed, including quarterly reports on the current financial position of the Town.
• Ensure that all financial reporting to the Dept of Municipal Affairs (DMA), Nova Scotia Utility and Review Board (NSURB) and other provincial and federal government departments and agencies is carried out in a timely manner as required.
• Annually prepare the financial statements for the Town in conjunction with the external auditors.
• Responsible for the monitoring and preparation of cash flow statements on a regular basis and ensuring the timely investment of surplus funds in order to ensure that optimum interest income is received in accordance with the Investment Policy of Council.
• Responsible to ensure the maintenance of records for trust accounts and ensure that investments are carried out in a timely manner to optimize investment return.
• Be aware of financial grant programs and ensure the preparation of applications and submission to claims for all programs worthwhile to the Town is carried out in a timely manner.
• Keep informed of developments in the field of municipal accounting systems and be fully aware of the policies, principles, and practices as outlined in the PSAB and provincial regulation for Municipal Government in Nova Scotia.
• Maintain an inventory of essential supplies and materials within the department and ensure that property internal controls are in place.
• Submit to the CAO recommendations for the recruitment, hiring, transfer, promotion, suspension, or dismissal of employees under their jurisdiction.
• Acts as a signing officer for the Town and other associated agencies as authorized.
• Responsible for all aspects of Tax Collection per Assessment Act and Municipal Government Act and advises the CAO on the same.
• Participates in relevant training and development programs. Maintains a relevant knowledge base and skill set, computer/software skills.
• Develops, implements, monitors and evaluates appropriate customer service practices.
• Carry out any and all duties and responsibilities that the CAO shall see fit to direct or that shall arise from time to time.

Special Conditions

• This employee shall be a Department Head and, as such, shall ensure effective communication with the CAO and all other heads of departments to ensure coordinated delivery.
• The employee accepts that municipal government is ever changing and service delivery may involve inter-municipal arrangements and that service delivery and responsibilities of staff may go beyond town boundaries.

Applications can be sent to Eric J. Levy, Deputy Chief Administrative Officer at [email protected].