23 Sep
|
Feeder Associations of Alberta Limited (FAA)
|
Canada
23 Sep
Feeder Associations of Alberta Limited (FAA)
Canada
Job Summary
About Feeder Associations of Alberta
Feeder Associations of Alberta Limited (FAA), located in Leduc, Alberta, is a not-for-profit cooperative association serving 46 local feeder associations and around 3000 members throughout the province. These member associations deliver Alberta’s Feeder Associations Loan Guarantee Program to livestock producers.
FAA and its related organizations operate through three business units:
- Feeder Associations of Alberta Limited (FAA): Provides administrative, financial, and operational support to local feeder associations and related entities.
- Alberta Breeder Finance Inc. (ABFI): Provides non-government-guaranteed financing to Alberta producers for the purchase of cattle and sheep breeding stock.
- Western Cash Advance Program Inc. (WeCAP): Administers the federal Advance Payments Program for agricultural producers in Alberta and Saskatchewan.
Together, these organizations play an important role in supporting agricultural producers and strengthening the livestock and broader agricultural sectors.
The Opportunity
FAA is seeking an energetic, organized, and service-oriented professional to join our team as an Accountant.
Reporting directly to the Chief Financial Officer, the Accountant will be responsible for financial accounting, reporting, payroll, reconciliations, budgeting, compliance, and operational support across FAA and WeCAP, while also contributing to consolidated reporting for all three business units.
The successful candidate will combine strong technical accounting skills with sound judgment, attention to detail, and a commitment to continuous improvement. This position is well suited to an individual who takes ownership of their work, learns new systems and programs quickly, and enjoys finding practical ways to strengthen financial processes and reporting.
You will join a collaborative accounting team of four within an office of approximately nine employees. FAA is committed to fostering a professional, respectful, and innovative workplace in which employees work together to deliver excellent service to producers, member associations, government partners, and other stakeholders.
Key Responsibilities
Financial Accounting and Reporting
- Prepare accurate and timely monthly financial statements for assigned entities and assist with consolidated reporting for FAA, ABFI, and WeCAP.
- Complete month-end and year-end closing procedures.
- Prepare monthly, quarterly, and annual reconciliations of financial accounts, including:
- Bank accounts
- Accounts payable and accounts receivable
- Revenue and expenditure accounts
- Payroll accounts
- Assets and liabilities
- Accruals
- Record accounting transactions and maintain effective controls over financial information.
- Review and approve daily accounting transactions before posting when the Chief Financial Officer is unavailable.
- Ensure transactions comply with established financial policies, procedures, agreements, and internal controls.
- Prepare timely and accurate financial and program reports using existing reporting tools.
- Develop or improve spreadsheets, templates, reports, and other tools to increase accuracy and efficiency.
- Adhere to all monthly, annual, contractual, and regulatory reporting requirements.
Budgeting and Financial Planning
- Assist the Chief Financial Officer with the preparation and maintenance of annual budgets, business plans, and financial forecasts.
- Monitor actual financial results against approved budgets and identify significant variances.
- Provide timely and relevant financial information to support management decision-making.
- Identify financial trends, risks, and opportunities requiring management attention.
Payroll and Employee Records
- Process payroll for employees and payments to members of the Board of Directors, ensuring accuracy and compliance with established deadlines.
- Maintain employee timesheets and records relating to banked time, overtime, vacation, sick leave, personal leave, and other payroll-related matters.
- Maintain Board of Directors’ per diem and expense records.
- Prepare and submit payroll remittances and other required reports to the Canada Revenue Agency and applicable authorities.
- Complete personal expense reports for review and approval by the Chief Financial Officer.
Accounts Payable, Compliance, and Internal Controls
- Process accounts payable invoices accurately and within required timelines.
- Maximize available payment discounts while ensuring invoices are paid according to approved terms.
- Prepare and process government remittances and filings, including GST and payroll remittances.
- Maintain appropriate financial controls and ensure compliance with program operating procedures, agreements, and guidelines.
- Help maintain an acceptable level of financial and operational risk across assigned programs.
- Assist with the development and maintenance of accounting forms, policies, procedures, and process documentation.
Program and Audit Support
- Develop a strong working knowledge of Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada’s Advance Payments Program systems, requirements, and reporting processes.
- Develop a thorough understanding of current and prior-year Advance Guarantee Agreements, including the Standard and Interest-Free components.
- Support the external auditors by preparing schedules, responding to information requests, and helping ensure an efficient annual audit.
- Maintain clear, complete, and well-organized supporting documentation.
- Communicate program and financial reporting status clearly, accurately, and on a timely basis.
Relationships and Continuous Improvement
- Build and maintain positive working relationships with management, employees, producers, member associations, government representatives, auditors, financial institutions, and other external stakeholders.
- Promote transparency, accountability, collaboration, and high-quality service.
- Identify and implement opportunities to improve accounting processes, reporting tools, internal controls, and client service.
- Take ownership of new or changing responsibilities and contribute to the growth and development of the organization and its programs.
- Support a workplace culture in which employees are engaged and aligned with the organization’s strategic direction.
- Participate in FAA meetings, events, and functions outside regular business hours when required.
- Work additional hours when reasonably necessary to meet critical reporting, audit, payroll, or program deadlines.
- Perform other related duties as assigned.
Qualifications and Experience
- Post-secondary education in Accounting, Finance, or a related field; professional designation (CPA or in progress) is an asset.
- A minimum of five years of progressive accounting experience.
- Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel, including the ability to work with complex formulas, reconciliations, data analysis, and financial reporting.
- Experience using Sage 300, QuickBooks, or comparable accounting software.
- Experience preparing financial statements, budgets, reconciliations, payroll, government remittances, and management reports.
- Experience working in agriculture, agricultural finance, a not-for-profit organization, a cooperative, or a government-funded program is considered an asset.
Skills and Attributes
The successful candidate will demonstrate:
- Strong technical accounting knowledge and financial judgment.
- Exceptional attention to detail, accuracy, and completeness.
- The ability to understand both the broader organizational objectives and the smaller operational details that can materially affect successful execution.
- A high degree of personal integrity, accountability, and discretion.
- A proactive, action-oriented, and results-focused approach.
- The ability to take ownership of responsibilities and work effectively with minimal supervision.
- Strong analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making abilities.
- Excellent organizational and time-management skills, with the ability to manage competing priorities and meet firm deadlines.
- Strong verbal, written, presentation, facilitation, and interpersonal communication skills.
- The ability to collaborate effectively and contribute to the success of a small team.
- The ability to learn complex programs, agreements, systems, and reporting requirements quickly and accurately.
- A commitment to continuous improvement, innovation, and exceptional stakeholder service.
Why Join FAA?
This position offers an prospect to apply your accounting expertise in a meaningful role supporting Alberta and Saskatchewan’s agricultural communities. You will work in a small, collaborative environment where your contribution will be visible, your ideas will be valued, and your work will directly support the delivery and continued improvement of important agricultural financing programs.
If you are a conscientious accounting professional who values accuracy, service, collaboration, and continuous improvement, we invite you to apply.
Work Location: In person
📌 Accountant (Canada)
🏢 Feeder Associations of Alberta Limited (FAA)
📍 Canada