Competition #: 44037
Crown Agency: Art Gallery of Nova Scotia
Location: HALIFAX
Type of Employment: Permanent
Union Status: Exclusion - Non Union - NSPG
Closing Date: 26-Sep-24 (Applications are accepted until 11:59 PM Atlantic Time)

About Us

Since 1908, the Gallery has been a gateway for the visual arts in Atlantic Canada by engaging people with art. It is committed to this mission as an agency of the Province of Nova Scotia and one of the premier arts institutions in Canada. At its core, the Gallery is responsible for acquiring, preserving, and exhibiting works of art, and for providing education in the visual arts.

The Art Gallery of Nova Scotia seeks to present the most vital and engaging contemporary art from around the world. We will embrace tradition and the past by applying a contemporary viewpoint that addresses relevant issues and challenges perspectives.

We are an inclusive public gathering place that connects people with art to inspire thinking.

Please note, due to legislative changes, as of January 1, 2023, Art Gallery of Nova Scotia (AGNS) employees are no longer Civil Servants and are instead direct employees of the AGNS.

About Our Opportunity

The Art Gallery of Nova Scotia is recruiting a motivated individual to join our team as a Controller. In this role, you will report to the Director of Finance and Operations and will be responsible for the preparation and analysis of the monthly, quarterly, and annual financial reporting for the Gallery. You will also provide key evaluations, advice, and recommendations to the Director regarding accounting policies, procedures, internal controls, information systems.

In addition, you will lead the annual budgeting process to support the annual business plan as well provide support and guidance to budget owners in their preparation of budgets and forecasts.

Primary Accountabilities

• Contributes to the maximum operating efficiency of AGNS through the accurate, timely, and quality delivery of accounting financial reporting and analysis.
• Ensures AGNS is in accordance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles, Public Sector Accounting Board Standards, Government Accounting policies, Treasury and Policy Board policies, and AGNS accounting policies and procedures.
• Contributes to a strong system of internal control at AGNS by ensuring adherence to existing controls and policies including procurement while also providing assistance and consultation to AGNS for new and existing accounting, financial and operational policies, procedures, and IT systems.
• Leads the preparation of the annual AGNS year end audit requirements package for the external auditors by ensuring all information requests are delivered to meet time sensitive deadlines.
• Supports and assists the Director's roles and responsibilities to the Board of Directors and Committees of the Board through preparation of quarterly reports and memos as required.
• Assists the Director to ensure timely and accurate year end government reports such as the Accountability report, Annual report and Business plan.
• Manages the work assignments of staff to ensure that services provided are timely, accurate and enquiries are responded to in an efficient and satisfactory manner
• Acts as a lead contact for all financial matters for AGNS departments to provide accurate and timely information to support their work such as financial data required for grant applications, summary information for reports for investors, sponsors and other stewardship reports.
• Contributes to cash management functions including updating cashflow projections monthly as well as develops recommendations regarding cash management strategies.
• Enhances the capacity of the organization by seeking, developing, implementing and maintaining technology-based solutions for accounting, administrative, forecast, and budget processes with a specific focus on automation of manual processes to improve the efficiency and accuracy of financial information.

Qualifications and Experience

As the successful candidate you hold a Chartered Professional Account designation as well as several years of progressive relevant experience.

Demonstrated knowledge and experience in preparing internal and external financial statements, financial analysis, budgets, forecasts and cash management is essential. You have expert level Microsoft Excel skills and are a critical thinker who is solutions focused.

In addition to the above, the following skills and abilities are also vital for this role:

• A high level of professionalism and discretion when dealing with sensitive and confidential matters while ensuring complete confidentiality in dealing with the financial matters of the Gallery.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills especially the ability to communicate financial information to a variety of stakeholders with varying degrees of financial acumen.
• Familiarity with Sage 300 or a strong comfort level with accounting software and reporting platforms. In addition to Excel, you also possess extensive computer and detailed knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite. Familiarty with POS/e-commerce platforms such as Shopify is an asset.
• The ability to investigate and resolve accounting issues and have strong knowledge of accounting standards.
• Excellent organizational and time management skills and the ability to thrive in a fast pace working environment with minimal supervision.
• Self-motivation, confidence and the ability to perform under pressure to meet deadlines.
• Collaborative, creative and forward thinking, challenge the status quo and provide ideas for future directions.
• A team player, flexible attitude, and posses the ability to quickly adapt to changes in information and priorities.
• An understanding of the visual arts would be considered an asset.
• Experience supervising and/or mentoring staff would be considered an asset.

Equivalency

An equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered and will be determined on a case-by-case basis. Applicants relying on education and experience equivalencies must demonstrate such equivalencies in their application.

Additional Information

This position includes working outside traditional working hours, occasional weekends, and occasional travel.

Benefits

Based on the employment status and union agreement, the Government of Nova Scotia offers its employees a wide range of benefits such as a Defined Benefit Pension Plan, Health, Dental, Life Insurance, 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

This position includes working outside traditional working hours, occasional weekends, and occasional travel.

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: EC 10
Salary Range: $3,047.22 - $3,809.04 Bi-Weekly

Our goal is to be a diverse workforce that is representative, at all job levels, of the citizens of Nova Scotia. The Art Gallery 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 Women in 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.

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 concerns may be directed to [email protected].