Chief Finance

The Chief within Finance is responsible for managing, planning and leading all activities of the Section.

• Lead the Section’s expertise by the development of plans, establishment of objectives and work plans. Responsible for directly supporting, managing and evaluating the work performance of their employees.
• Provide strategic advice, proposals and recommendations to senior management as well as functional guidance and advice to financial units in Headquarters and the Regions on financial issues.
• Conduct analytical studies and cost analysis in support of internal and external reports, presentation, recommendations and to help inform decisions.
• Oversee the development, modification and implementation of policies and procedures to support sound financial management by streamlining processes, improving efficiency, ensuring prudence and probity, and reducing costs.
• Plan, manage and prepare various financial resource documents, presentations and other related external reporting for the approval by the Executive, the Director or the Minister.
• Collaborate and liaise with government departments, agencies and external organizations.

• Undergraduate degree with specialization in accounting, finance, business administration, commerce, management or economics*

OR

• One of the following recognized professional accounting designations: Chartered Professional Accounting (CPA), Chartered Accountant (CA), Certified General Accountant (CGA) or Certified Management Accountant (CMA)

The educational program must be from an accredited learning institution recognized in Canada. If you completed a program outside of Canada, you will be required to obtain proof of a Canadian equivalency at your expense through a recognized credential assessment service.

Note: Any higher level of education could be recognized as experience.

• Experience at the Level 09 (FI-03 or equivalent) in at least two (2) of the following areas, for a minimum of 48 months:
  • Financial Planning and Analysis
  • Corporate Budgeting
  • Internal Controls
  • Financial Management and Advisory Services
  • Financial Policy
  • Financial Systems
  • Accounting Operations
  • Corporate Accounting and Reporting
  • A role outside of the Finance which helped develop new experiences and knowledge*
• Experience in providing advice and making recommendations used by senior management to inform strategic decisions.**
• Experience in human resources management; a leadership role *** for staff or colleagues; or a supervisory role.

* Your application must clearly demonstrate how your experience outside the Finance Branch will be leveraged as a Chief, Finance.

** Strategic decision is defined as a decision that affects key factors which determine the success of the organization’s strategy, the implications of which are long-term and complex.

*** Leadership role is defined broader than the traditional hierarchical methods of supervising staff or managing human resources. Examples could include, but are not limited to, leading working groups over an extended period of time, chairing committees or task forces, providing formal or informal mentoring, acting as a coach or trainer.

An asset qualification is a qualification which can enhance the ability to perform the work based on current and future business requirements, but which is not strictly required.  Assets can help determine right fit in certain circumstances.

• One of the following recognized professional accounting designations: Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA), Chartered Accountant (CA), Certified General Accountant (CGA) or Certified Management Accountant (CMA).
• Experience liaising with Treasury Board Secretariat, Department of Finance, or Privy Council Office.
• Experience developing costing models.
• Experience developing or playing a challenge function of Cabinet documents (Treasury Board Submissions, Memorandum to Cabinet, Federal Budget Submission).
• Experience in leading innovation and the implementation of change management strategies.

Additional experience at the Level 09 (FI-03 or equivalent) in any of the following areas:

• Financial Planning and Analysis
• Corporate Budgeting
• Internal Controls
• Financial Management and Advisory Services
• Financial Policy
• Financial Systems
• Accounting Operations
• Corporate Accounting and Reporting
• A role outside of the Finance which helped develop new experiences and knowledge.

• Create Vision and Strategy
• Mobilize People
• Collaborate with Partners and Stakeholders
• Promote Innovation and Guide Change
• Achieve Results
• Uphold Integrity and Respect

• Not Applicable

ASSESSMENT PROCESS: Competencies Based Interview

A Competency Based Interview that will assess the candidate’s experience, knowledge and the following Key Leadership Competencies: Create Vision and Stragety, Mobilize People, Collaborate with Partners and Stakeholders, Promote Innovation and Guide Change, Achieve Results and Uphold Integrity and Respect. If successful, you will be invited to a Character Leadership Interview (CL).

ASSESSMENT PROCESS: Character Leadership Interview

A Character Based Leadership Interview, where Character Leadership will be assessed. CSIS Finance is looking to attract candidates who demonstrate strong character leadership. Dimensions of character are courage, drive, accountability, transcendence, humanity, humility, collaboration, temperance, integrity, justice and judgment.  Character Leadership (CL) documentation, including details regarding the assessment process and how to prepare, will be shared with candidates prior to the scheduled interviews.

Candidates should be prepared to provide the names of references (two supervisors, two peers, two subordinates). Some, all or other individuals may be contacted. References must have an in-depth knowledge of the candidate’s work, and must be able to answer specific questions pertaining to their achievements and strengths.

While we continue to explore opportunities for flexible work arrangements, the majority of work in our organization must be done in the office and cannot be performed at home.