Opportunities: Senior Financial Analyst (Program Admin Officer 4)
Opportunities: Senior Financial Analyst (Program Admin Officer 4)
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Job Description
Competition # :46383
Department:Municipal Affairs
Location:HALIFAX
Type of Employment:Permanent
Union Status:NSGEU - NSPG
Closing Date:28-Aug-25(Applications are accepted until 11:59 PM Atlantic Time)
About Us
The Department of Municipal Affairs (DMA) promotes responsible local government and supports safe sustainable and welcoming communities. Through working with municipalities and other partners DMA contributes to strong and diverse economies and a high quality of life.
DMA provides services and guidance to municipalities in many areas including land use planning budget planning and finance infrastructure development policy and program development.
About Our Opportunity
Join our dynamic team where your expertise in financial analysis and your passion for public service can truly make a difference. As Senior Financial Analyst youll bring deep analytical expertise and strategic thinking to a role that shapes sound financial decision-making strengthens accountability and enhances the long-term sustainability of local governments across the province.
Reporting directly to the Manager of Municipal Finance you will lead complex financial reviews assess municipal viability and debt capacity and provide forward-looking advice rooted in both rigorous analysis and real-world understanding. Your work will directly influence how financial reporting frameworks evolve how programs are delivered how local government capacity is strengthened and how financial performance is monitored and supported.
This is more than a technical role its a strategic opportunity to lead research and policy exploration guide improvements in business processes and technology and help modernize the way financial information is used to drive meaningful outcomes. Youll work closely with internal and external partners contribute to continuous improvement initiatives and play a key role in building a stronger more resilient local government sector.
Primary Accountabilities
- Lead strategic research and analysis on accounting issues financial reporting emerging trends to inform the evolution of accountability frameworks legislative changes and program design.
- Conduct financial and operational analysis of local governments to identify risks uncover key drivers and provide strategic insights that shape program policy and funding decisions.
- Provide expert guidance on PSAS legislation and regulatory requirements resolving complex accounting issues and improving the clarity and consistency of financial reporting.
- Drive continuous improvement by modernizing processes streamlining reporting and adopting emerging technologies including advanced analytics automation and data visualization to improve efficiency insights and improved decision-making.
- Design and deliver training for local governments including webinars workshops and one-on-one sessions to build financial reporting capacity understanding of accounting standards regulations and programs and promote best practices.
- Prepare high-impact materials such as briefing notes presentations reports and cabinet submissions that translate complex financial issues into clear actionable insights for senior decision makers.
- Develop and implement tools and procedures for collecting and managing financial and statistical data using automation dashboards and platforms like Power BI to enhance data quality accessibility and analysis.
- Mentor and support Financial Analysts fostering skill development collaboration and shared learning across the team.
- Oversee and evaluate operating programs for local governments ensuring legislative compliance and using data driven insights and partner feedback to assess funding formula impacts. Recommend and implement enhancements.
Qualifications and Experience
Were looking for candidates with a Bachelors degree in Accounting or Finance with at least six years of related experience or an equivalent combination of training and experience.
What you bring:
- Advanced financial and operational analysis expertise: You assess complex financial and operational data through the lens of PSAS legislation and policy. You generate insights that inform strategic decisions and strengthen local government accountability.
- Exceptional written and verbal communication: You translate complex financial concepts into clear compelling messages for diverse audiences including senior leaders elected officials and non-technical partners supporting understanding action and informed decision making.
- Strategic and systems thinking: You approach problems with a long-term view connecting financial and operational realities to broader policy legislative and program implications.
- Process improvement mindset: You seek opportunities to modernize systems and streamline reporting leveraging automation analytics dashboards and emerging technologies to drive efficiency and insight.
- Leadership and mentorship capabilities: You support and guide colleagues share expertise and contribute to a culture of continuous learning and improvement across the team.
- Exceptional organizational and project management skills: You effectively manage multiple priorities lead complex files with minimal direction and consistently deliver high quality results with tight deadlines.
- Technological fluency: You are highly proficient with Microsoft Excel and the Microsoft Office suite (Outlook PowerPoint Word Teams) and are comfortable working with platforms like Power BI automation platforms and data visualization or analysis tools.
While not required it is considered an asset if you possess:
- CPA Designation or in-progress: A professional accounting designation (CPA) or active enrollment in a recognized accounting program is strongly preferred.
- Municipal finance insight: An understanding of municipal finance fund accounting PSAS coupled with and knowledge of FRAM and local government legislation.
- Power BI or Business Intelligence (BI) proficiency: including dashboard development automation platforms and performance reporting.
- Database proficiency: Experience with database systems like COGNOS.
- SQL Experience: Experience developing database queries with Structured Query Language (SQL).
We will assess the above qualifications and competencies using one or more of the following tools: written examination standardized tests oral presentations interview(s) and reference checks.
Equivalency
We recognize equivalent combinations of training education and experience providing opportunities for individuals with diverse backgrounds to contribute their skills and expertise. Equivalencies include but are not limited to:
- A completed masters degree and four (4) years of related experience
- A related diploma and eight (8) years of related experience
Applicants relying on education and experience equivalencies must demonstrate such equivalencies in their application.
Benefits
Based on the employment status and union agreement the Government of Nova Scotia offers its employees a wide range of benefits such as Defined Benefit Pension Plan Health Dental Life Insurance Pension General Illness Short and Long Term Disability Vacation and Employee and Family Assistance Programs. For information on all our Benefit program offerings click here: Benefits for government employees.
Working Conditions
Your typical work week is 35 hours with 7-hour days. This is a primary office-based role with flexibility for occasional site visits. The role involves a high degree of mental focus detailed analysis and interaction with other key partners. You will often navigate multiple priorities under tight deadlines contributing to work that has real impact across the province.
What We Offer
- Career Development where you have access to career guidance tools resources and ongoing training for every stage of your career.
- Engaging workplace. Our Employees feel valued respected connected and tuned in. We have forward-thinking policies and strategies.
- Countless Career Paths.
- Department Specific Flexible working schedules.
Pay Grade: PR 17
Salary Range: $3107.16- $3649.33Bi-Weekly
Employment Equity Statement:
Our goal is to be a diverse workforce that is representative at all job levels of the citizens we serve. The Government of Nova Scotia has an Employment Equity Policy and we welcome applications from Indigenous People African Nova Scotians and Other Racially Visible Persons Persons with Disabilities and Womenin occupations or positions where they are under-represented. If you are a member of one of these equity groups you are encouraged to self-identify on your electronic application.
Accommodation Statement:
We are committed to providing an inclusive and accessible recruitment process. Candidates may request accommodations based on any grounds protected by the Human Rights you require an accommodation throughout the recruitment process please contact us at
This is a bargaining unit position initially restricted to current civil service employees represented by the Nova Scotia Government Employees Union (NSGEU). If applying from outside a government office employees must apply correctly via this link:
Failure to apply correctly means that your application will not be given first consideration as a bargaining unit applicant and will only be included if external applications are pursued.
External applicants and current casual employees will only be considered if there are no qualified civil service bargaining unit NOTE: Candidates will not be considered for an interview if applications are incomplete or are missing information.
Offer of employment is conditional upon the completion of all applicable background checks and confirmation of credentials the results of which must be satisfactory to the employer. We thank all applicants for the interest however only those selected for an interview will be contacted. All questions and concernsmay be directed to
Required Experience:
Senior IC
Employment Type
Full-Time
