Controller Jobs

Position Details

Position Information

Position Title Controller

Department/Unit Financial Services

Location Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada

Posting Number S218-23

Employee Group DPMG

Position Type Regular, On-Going

Duration of Contract (if applicable)

Employment Type Full Time

Full-time Equivalency (FTE) 1.0

Salary Competitive and commensurate with experience

Classification ADM-09

Provisional Statement

This is a provisional classification. Formal regular review classification procedures may be initiated at any time by the incumbent or supervisor after the incumbent has worked a minimum of six months in the role.

About Dalhousie University

Dalhousie University is Atlantic Canada’s leading research-intensive university and a driver of the region’s intellectual, social and economic development. Located in the heart of Halifax, Nova Scotia, with an Agricultural Campus in Truro/Bible Hill, Dalhousie is a truly national and international university, with more than half of our almost 21,000 students coming from outside of the province. Our 6,000 faculty and staff foster a vibrant, purpose-driven community, that celebrated 200 years of academic excellence in 2018.

Job Summary

Dalhousie Financial Services strives to provide the highest quality financial services and information and ensure the effective stewardship of University assets to the benefit of students and scholarly activities. Financial Services is a core service unit of the University, providing services in financial accounting, budgeting, procurement and risk management, cash management, and financial systems and policies.

Reporting to the CFO & Assistant Vice-President, Financial Services, the Controller manages and leads university accounting functions (student accounts, cash and general ledger accounting, capital accounting, research and special purpose fund accounting) and financial reporting. The Controller is a senior position within Financial Services, a trusted advisor, and a strong contributor within Financial Services and the overall university community.

Dalhousie’s strategic plan identifies the need to improve administrative efficiency. In support of the strategy, Financial Services is committed to streamlining processes, improving the user experience and leveraging technology to simplify and automate operations.

Key Responsibilities

• Prepare financial information and reporting for internal and external clients, including managing the annual audit and preparation of the university’s annual financial statements. Oversee University tax matters.
• Identify opportunities to leverage technology to eliminate and automate manual and routine tasks. Support the development of digital skills and competencies.
• Provide leadership to a team of approximately 30 professional and clerical staff. Support the development of digital skills and competencies.
• Oversee the accounting and reporting on research and special purpose fund accounts. Provide advice and guidance, and recommend changes in process/policy as identified. Ensure compliance with policy and grantor and legislative requirements.
• Manage and monitor the financial practices, policies and procedures in general accounting and financial reporting for the university, to maintain strong systems of internal control.

Note

The successful applicant will be eligible for hybrid work (a combination of in-person work on campus and remote work) as agreed by all parties based on operational requirements and university guidelines.

Required Qualifications

• Demonstrated ability to work effectively as part of the Financial Services senior management team in a busy, deadline-driven team environment.
• Excellent communication (verbal and written) and interpersonal skills.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Proven ability to work effectively to build trust and confidence within Financial Services, with senior administration, colleagues and clients throughout the University.
• Undergraduate Degree in a field such as Business and a Professional Accounting Designation ( CPA ) as well as significant experience as a seasoned professional with proven managerial and leadership skill at a senior level across a variety of accounting functions.

Assets

• Experience with process improvement and autonomous financial solutions.
• Experience in a university or post-secondary environment.
• Experience in a decentralized enterprise-wide accounting environment.

Job Competencies

The successful candidate is expected to demonstrate proficiency in Dalhousie’s core and leadership competencies (https://www.dal.ca/dept/leaders.html), in particular:

• Change & Innovation
• Integrity
• Accountability for Performance & Results
• Relationship Building
• Thinking and Acting Strategically

Additional Information

Dalhousie University supports a healthy and balanced lifestyle. Our total compensation package includes a defined benefit pension plan, health and dental plans, a health spending account, an employee and family assistance program and a tuition assistance program.

Application Consideration

Applications from current university employees and external candidates are assessed concurrently. Current university employees will be given special consideration.

We sincerely appreciate all applications and note that only candidates selected for an interview will be contacted directly by the hiring department or Human Resources.

Diversity Statement

Dalhousie University commits to achieving inclusive excellence through continually championing equity, diversity, inclusion, and accessibility. The university encourages applications from Indigenous persons (especially Mi’kmaq), persons of Black/African descent (especially African Nova Scotians), and members of other racialized groups, persons with disabilities, women, persons identifying as members of 2SLGBTQ+ communities, and all candidates who would contribute to the diversity of our community. For more information, please visit www.dal.ca/hiringfordiversity .

Posting Detail Information

Number of Vacancies One (1)

Open Date 06/05/2023

Close Date 06/30/2023

Open Until Filled No

Special Instructions to Applicant

Quick Link for Direct Access to Posting https://dal.peopleadmin.ca/postings/13734