As a member of the Corporate Services Division, the Financial Analyst Intern is primarily accountable to the Director, Corporate Services, and will work closely with members of the Finance Team, and in collaboration with the Finance & HR Administrator, to ensure the efficient operation of an effective financial management system in keeping with generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP), in accordance with Board of Health policies and Ministry of Health guidelines.
The Financial Analyst Intern will provide budgeting, forecasting and variance analysis support for selected programs, departments and divisions within the organization; prepare and present ad-hoc reports on financial information; conduct detailed financial analysis and research information to support various program initiatives; and assist and educate managers in understanding financial reports.
This position is expected to work independently and as part of a multi-disciplinary team to create, apply, adapt and/or choose established methods or procedures to complete assigned work. Direction is sought when solutions to problems are not apparent and/or not within the intent of established practices including scope of practice.
This position may involve travel and variations of the working day.
Duties and Responsibilities
Financial Services
• Works closely with the finance team, including contract accountant support, to prepare or coordinate accurate financial reporting.
• Perform financial forecasting; analyze financial data; and create financial models.
• Analyze past results; perform variance analysis; and provide analysis of trends and forecasts.
• Assist with budget development, including salary costing projections; cashflow;
investments; accounts receivable and accounts payable; and monthly, quarterly and year-end reporting and reconciliation.
• Perform accounting analysis; and identify and drive process improvements.
• Increase productivity by developing automated reporting/forecasting tools.
• Develop and maintain an inventory management framework in partnership with continuous quality improvement (CQI) team members and Health Unit staff.
• Ensure compliance with all funder requirements, all relevant legislation, financial reporting requirements of the Ministry of Health Accountability Agreements, Canadian Public-Sector Accounting Standards and Canada Revenue Agency.
• Provide guidance to Executive team members, Managers, and front-line staff on matters relating to financial services including accounting, purchasing, budget development and variance reporting.
Professional
• Maintains competency by attending appropriate continuing education workshops, seminars and through private study.
• Maintains effective working relationships with Management, Divisions, and other Health Unit staff.
Physical
• Works in a safe manner as required by Occupational Health and Safety legislation.
• Performs work in an environment with occasional exposure to minor and/or little exposure to major disagreeable conditions.
• Does light physical activity of intermediate duration and medium physical activity of short duration.
• Performs work involving almost continuous periods of mental, visual and/or auditory concentration of intermediate duration and/or frequent periods of long duration.
• Detects and works toward eliminating health hazards in all assigned areas.
Qualifications
1. Education
• Undergraduate Degree in accounting, finance or economics required. CPA and/or MBA or advanced degree preferred.
2. Experience
• 3-5 years related work experience in cost accounting, financial analysis, planning and budgeting required.
• Experience with the development of financial models, workflow and analysis for business and process efficiency improvements.
• Experience in a unionized, public-sector work environment preferred.
3. Other
• Demonstrates strong analytical and data gathering abilities.
• Self-starter with excellent interpersonal and problem-solving skills.
• Highly organized and ability to manage concurrent deadlines and multiple priorities.
• A high level of computer proficiency in financial systems (Sage preferred) and advanced knowledge of Excel.
• Ability to communicate and present information, both verbally and written, effectively with all levels of the organization.