Assistant Director, Finance and Planning

Job Description

The Opportunity
The Assistant Director, Finance and Planning is responsible for managing the development, analysis, interpretation and reporting of institutional budgets, forecasts, monthly financial information, and key performance measures for both operational and planning purposes. We’re looking for someone with strong leadership and relationship building skills who will work closely with Operation Managers, Operational Directors, and other key stakeholders.

Roles and Responsibilities

Reporting to the Director, Finance and Planning, below are some key accountabilities:

Planning

Direct the process of developing Centre-wide operating budgets/forecasts with department financial managers within institutional guidelines and parameters. Provides advice and direction to operational managers and directors on all matters relating to budgeting/forecasting principles and guidelines used to inform the budgeting/forecasting processes. Assists departments with the preparation of line-item budgets, forecasts, and budget projections. The Director of Finance and the CFO will provide the overall institutional priorities, framework and policies governing development of the budget, and the incumbent will execute the planning process and functions.

Responsible for institutional-level consolidation, reporting and analysis of operating budgets/forecasts for the Centre, and the preparation of interpretative data including trend analyses and relationships between financial and non-financial data. Prepares budget/forecasts reports and recommendations for consideration by the Director, CFO, and Senior Leadership.

Prepare and distributes monthly occupancy and financial results and analyses. Monitors monthly and YTD budget variances to identify potential budget deficits that may impact year-end results and recommends appropriate action.

Process Improvement

– Ensure budget and financial reports and tools are updating per schedules and alerts ITS if there are system problems, particularly when budget updates are required and during forecast and budget deadlines to ensure efficiency of process for financial managers.
– Participate in the design, development, and implementation of new accounting systems or tools, and the on-going accounting process review and redesign. Develops high proficiency with system reporting tools and works with campus managers and ITS to identify and address department reporting needs.
– Oversee the maintenance and integrity of the general ledger, chart of accounts and other accounting records/transaction processing; control access to accounting systems in accordance with Centre policies and required signature authorities; coordinates all month-end closings. Ensures updates are made in a timely manner to chart of accounts as organizational changes occur to ensure accuracy of reporting and access to budget and financial data by the appropriate financial manager.
– Improve budgeting processes and software: incorporate development of budget reports into budgeting software, improve/automate budget preparation and reporting processes, work with department managers to improve budget processes.

Program and Departmental Support

– Assist with identifying any monthly variances and working with the programming team to ensure proper adjustments or commentary is provided.
– Ensure the development of budget and actual reports that create efficiency for Senior Leadership, including the Vice President of Operations, particularly as it relates to program planning, delivery and production costs.
– Oversee individual or small group training for new staff, through documentation of training materials and providing support for web site content on financial budgeting/forecasting procedures.
– Work collaboratively with Banff Centre staff and respond to inquiries, provide advice, and resolve problems in a positive, effective, and equitable manner.

Financial Reporting

– Responsible for implementation of improvements to reporting of monthly operating results and capital budget reports.
– Assist with identification of key performance indicators / management reporting requirements and develops and implements new templates for monthly operating results.
– Support the year-end financial statements for both Banff Centre and Banff Centre Foundation, ensuring compliance with GAAP accounting standards; prepares financial submission to Advanced Education to support consolidation of public entity statements.
– Determine the proper classification of capital and maintenance expenditures and ensures that fixed asset records are accurate, including the application of all funding sources.
– Manage authorization for expenditure (AFEs) process across campus. Ensures that encumbrances against AFEs are accurately tracked and reported
– Provide financial information to develop the three-year financial projections included in the Centre’s long range forecast. The incumbent also drafts commentary, tabular and other data to be included in the long range forecast and/or Annual Report relating to budgets and financial projections.