Director, Accounting And Financial Reporting.

THE ORGANIZATION

The Ontario Financing Authority (OFA) is an agency of the Province of Ontario established in 1993 by the Capital Investment Plan Act. In accordance with the Act, the OFA:

• Any additional objects as directed by the Lieutenant Governor in Council.
• Acts at the direction of the Province in lending to certain public bodies;
• Invests on behalf of some public bodies;
• Assists Crown agencies and other public bodies to borrow and invest money;
• Carries out the day-to-day operations of Ontario Electricity Financial Corporation (OEFC) and provides a broad range of financial services to Ontario Infrastructure and Lands Corporation (Infrastructure Ontario);
• Provides such other financial services as are considered advantageous to the Province or any public body; and
• With Ontario Power Generation Inc. (OPG), manages the investment activities of OPG’s Used Fuel Segregated Fund and Decommissioning Segregated Fund;
• Manages the Provincial debt;
• Provides centralized financial services for the Province including banking and cash management;
• Advises ministries, Crown agencies and other public bodies on financial policies and projects;
• Manages the Province's key financial relationships with investors, financial institutions, rating agencies and public bodies;
• Conducts borrowing, investment and financial risk management for the Province;

The OFA is a trusted, well-regarded organization that enjoys strong relationships with investors, the Provincial Government and its agencies. Noted for having the world’s largest debt management program, the OFA also leads in innovation and emerging products, such as Green Bonds, that set the stage for others to emulate. For this new Director, this is meaningful opportunity to contribute to OFA’s success and its impact on the financial health of the province.

In pursuing its mandate, the OFA is committed to its core values of Respect (how we treat each other), Innovation (how we grow), Teamwork (how we work) and Accountability (what we strive for).

THE OPPORTUNITY

The OFA is embarking upon a journey of modernizing the organization while continuing to be a resilient, exceptionally talented and forward-looking workplace. As part of this modernization, a new and exciting opportunity has been created at the Ontario Financing Authority (OFA), for a collaborative, people-centred leader to join their executive leadership team as the Director, Accounting and Financial Reporting.

Reporting to the Chief Financial Officer, the Director, Accounting and Financial Reporting is a new role that will oversee the accounting, financial reporting and settlement functions within the OFA. As a senior leader on the finance team and in the organization, the Director provides executive and managerial influence in shaping organizational strategic directions and values, contributing innovative ideas and supporting effective organizational transformation.

Key responsibilities and priorities will include:

• Leading a group of highly qualified, professional accounting and finance staff who provide information, insight and strategic advice related to accounting and financial reporting for the Province, the OFA and the OEFC
• Modeling and championing OPS leader-manager values that demonstrate the desired behaviours of the culture to which the OFA aspires
• Fostering a culture of innovation, continuous improvement and creativity by promoting and implementing new, diverse ideas, and best practices
• Leading, developing and implementing a modern settlements function, including policies and procedures that successfully allow for the management of risks associated with the settlement of debt issues and other payments
• Developing innovative materials to present critical information to the most senior level decisions makers within OFA, the Board and the Ministry of Finance
• Leading the development of financial information related to interest and debt for the Province’s annual budget, Fall Economic Statement, quarterly reports and Public Accounts
• Helping to elevate the contribution of the accounting and financial reporting teams through the provision of outstanding leadership as well as the introduction of practice, process and technological improvements
• Serving as a financial expert and leader on projects and strategic initiatives impacting their portfolio areas
• Providing clarity of vision by articulating strategies and aligning behaviour with the OFA’s vision, values and expectations, and galvanizing staff participation
• Liaising with the Office of the Auditor General and work with their professional staff to ensure financial statements for the Province, the OFA and the OEFC meet the Auditor General's standards

THE IDEAL CANDIDATE

The ideal candidate will demonstrate the following experience, skills, knowledge, attributes and academic credentials:

• Comprehensive knowledge of financial and accounting theories, principles and practices as well as Canadian and international financial management; modern controllership, audit and controls and computerized systems.
• A commitment to fostering new and innovative approaches to strengthening and optimizing the team’s relationships with all stakeholders within the organization and Ministry partners.
• Political acuity to work effectively with public sector decision-makers.
• A strategic thinker with ability to articulate the big picture.
• Experience in financial services or directly adjacent sectors, with an understanding of economic principles and ideally to capital markets concepts.
• Strong knowledge of best practices related to leading finance operations, innovation, organizational and service excellence.
• Experience and demonstrated success in leading teams of experts including:
• Excellent relationship-building skills to work effectively with a wide range of internal and external stakeholders.

1. sharing a vision for the department and building alignment towards the achievement of team goals
2. seeking opportunities to help others to grow within an inclusive environment that drives people-centred outcomes
3. holding individuals accountable to high levels of performance contribution
4. building team engagement.

• Ability to build strong, trusted, and effective working relationships with peers, colleagues and senior management to ensure strategies and initiatives are implemented.
• An undergraduate degree combined with a CPA designation.
• A leader who encourages appropriate risk taking and innovation, promotes collaboration across the team and organization, and provides learning and development opportunities.
• Ability to lead and successfully implement change, develop and implement improvements to established practices, challenge the status-quo, and influence decision-making.
• Excellent communication and presentation skills, with ability to distill complex technical information into appropriate formats and messages for a range of audiences.

About LHH Knightsbridge - www.lhhknightsbridge.com

LHH helps organizations simplify the complexity associated with transforming their leadership and workforce so they can accelerate results, with less risk. As global leaders in Talent and Leadership Development, Career Solutions and Executive, Interim and Mid-Level Search, we assist organizations in finding new talent, and helping their employees navigate change, become better leaders, develop better careers, and transition into new jobs.

OPS COMMITMENT TO DIVERSITY, INCLUSION, ACCESSIBILITY, AND ANTI-RACISM

The OPS is an innovative, responsive, and accountable public service that works hard to be diverse, anti-racist, inclusive, accessible, merit-based, respectful and equitable. Diversifying leadership teams is a top OPS priority with the goal to achieve parity with the Ontario labour force by 2025 for the most underrepresented groups (Indigenous, racialized and persons with disabilities) in leadership positions.

The OPS invites all interested individuals to apply and encourages applications from underrepresented groups including Indigenous and racialized individuals and persons with disabilities.

Visit the OPS Anti-Racism Policy and the OPS Diversity and Inclusion Blueprint pages to learn more about the OPS commitment to advancing racial equity, accessibility, diversity and inclusion in the public service.

The OPS offers employment accommodation across the recruitment process and all aspects of employment consistent with the requirements of Ontario's Human Rights Code. Should you require accommodation in order to participate in the recruitment process, please communicate your needs to the LHH Knightsbridge project team.