Chief Accountant & Chief Financial Officer

Our organization:

The Alberta Securities Commission is the industry-funded regulator responsible for administering the province's securities laws. It is entrusted with fostering a fair and efficient capital market in Alberta, and with protecting investors. As a member of the Canadian Securities Administrators, the ASC works to improve, coordinate and harmonize the regulation of Canada's capital markets.

The opportunity:

The Chief Accountant and Chief Financial Officer (CFO) is the senior financial officer, managing two departments, the Office of the Chief Accountant and Financial Services. This position reports to the Executive Director and is a member of the ASC senior executive team.

The Chief Accountant provides expert knowledge in the areas of accounting, auditing and financial reporting matters to ASC staff as well as to reporting issuers and their advisors. In addition, this division is involved in provincial, national and international policy initiatives such as developing a non-GAAP financial measure for securities law. The Office also oversees the training of professional accountants within the organization.

The Financial Services department is responsible for external financial reporting, effective internal control over financial reporting, annual budget preparation, administration of investment manager reporting and relations, coordination of risk management processes, and accurate and timely financial reporting to senior management, Commission Members and the Ministry of Finance.

Key responsibilities include:

• Developing, implementing and overseeing the strategic direction, business plan and budget for the OCA and Financial Services department.
• Developing, managing and mentoring direct reports including recruiting new staff, preparing performance reviews, participate with other members of the Executive Management group in Senior Management Committee and Strategic Policy Committee meetings to provide overall strategic and operational direction to the ASC and its staff.
• Participating on ASC committees as needed including the Canadian Securities Administrators Chief Accountants Committee.
• Providing guidance to parties outside the ASC, e.g. other regulators, issuers, auditors, lawyers, etc. to help minimize regulatory hurdles and ultimately the cost of dealing with capital markets.
• Regularly performing speaking engagements and participating in networking opportunities to both disseminate and gather relevant information. Making outreach efforts to relevant parties as necessary.
• Organizing and chairing the Financial Advisory Committee of the ASC including recommending membership, organizing meetings and setting agenda.
• Acting as a resource to staff, management and Commission Members on complex accounting, auditing and financial reporting issues.
• Managing the ASC's Enterprise Risk Management program in a consistent, efficient and sustainable manner.
• Maintaining systems of internal control for critical business areas and ensure internal controls operate throughout the year.
• Developing and recommending appropriate accounting and financial policies for the Commission.
• Preparing monthly, quarterly and annual financial statements and reporting the financial results to the Audit Committee and Board members.
• Acting as liaison between the Commission and Alberta Finance on reporting of financial results, business plans, budgeting and other matters.
• Overseeing the management of the Commission's investments, subject to policy guidelines as set by Board Members.
• Coordinating, developing and finalizing Commission budgets in conjunction with the Executive Director, Chair and other senior ASC management. Presenting Commission budgets to Board Members for approval.

The ideal candidate will possess:

• A Canadian CPA designation, with public accounting and a minimum of 15 years' post-designation experience in accounting, auditing and financial reporting for public companies.
• A minimum of five years' experience in a senior leadership role with the ability to think and function strategically.
• The proven ability to understand and communicate complex accounting, auditing, valuations and finance issues and their effect on public disclosure and the Alberta capital market, and the technical requirements of the legislation and the securities industry and their relationship to these issues.
• Expert knowledge of International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) and the International Standards on Auditing (ISA), and a strong understanding of accounting and auditing implications to the Alberta and Canadian market.
• The ability to correspond knowledgeably with standard-setting bodies to represent the Commission's interests.

To apply:

Visit our website to submit your resume, cover letter and salary expectations by September 23, 2019. More information about working at the ASC including our comprehensive Total Rewards package can be found on our website at www.albertasecurities.com.

You will be contacted if you are selected for an interview.