The Role

Reporting administratively to the Manager, Financial Planning, the Financial Advisor provides client-focused financial planning, analysis, advisory and controllership support to assigned City service and departmental groups. The position works directly with Commissioners and operational leaders to translate service plans, operational decisions and business requirements into reliable financial information, forecasts, options and recommendations.

The role supports annual and multi-year operating and capital budget development; in-year monitoring and variance analysis; business cases; financial modelling; performance reporting; grant and reserve analysis; and continuous improvement of financial processes and controls. While embedded with service areas for day-to-day collaboration and work prioritization, the position remains part of Financial Services and is accountable to the Manager, Financial Planning for administrative supervision, professional practice, corporate financial standards, performance management and workload coordination.

Meet your department...

We manage the City’s finances to ensure transparency, accuracy, and long-term sustainability. Our team oversees budgeting, accounting, and financial reporting, providing the resources and analysis that keep City operations running effectively.

What you'll do...

Financial advisory and business partnership
- Serve as the primary Financial Services contact for assigned service and departmental groups.
- Build trusted working relationships with service leaders and staff; understand their programs, drivers, service plans and operating pressures.
- Provide timely, practical financial advice, options and recommendations that support evidence-informed management decisions.
- Translate financial policies, requirements and results into clear, accessible information for non-financial audiences.

Operating and capital budget development, long-term planning and forecasting
- Lead or coordinate assigned service-area submissions for annual operating and capital budgets, multi-year forecasts and related budget documents.
- Develop financial models, scenarios and sensitivity analyses for service changes, staffing, user fees, projects, growth, asset renewal, reserves and funding strategies.
- Assess financial implications, affordability, sustainability and alignment with approved plans and Council direction.
- Support long-range financial planning and the integration of service planning with corporate budget processes.

In-year financial management, monitoring and reporting
- Prepare, review and interpret monthly, quarterly and year-end financial results, forecasts, variance explanations and corrective-action options.
- Identify emerging financial risks, pressures, opportunities, trends and control issues; provide early warning and recommendations to service leaders and Financial Services management.
- Support accurate and timely financial reporting, year-end processes, accruals, reconciliations and audit requirements for assigned portfolios.
- Ensure reports and analyses are complete, reliable, timely and suitable for management, senior leadership and Council reporting.

Financial analysis, business cases and special initiatives
- Provide financial analysis for service reviews, program and policy changes, procurement initiatives, partnerships, grant opportunities, agreements and other strategic initiatives.
- Develop and review business cases, cost-benefit analyses, lifecycle costing, financial impact assessments and implementation plans.
- Participate on cross-functional project teams, committees and task forces as the financial subject-matter resource.
- Support development of briefing materials and financial content for reports to senior management, committees and Council.

Financial systems, controls, processes and capability building
- Promote adherence to corporate financial policies, procedures, internal controls, delegation-of-authority requirements, accounting standards and applicable legislation.
- Identify and implement improvements to financial processes, reports, data quality, systems use and self-service tools.
- Provide coaching, orientation and guidance to assigned service-area staff on budget, forecasting, financial reporting and financial management practices.
- Contribute to corporate financial policies, procedures, templates, standards and training materials.

To qualify, you'll need...

3-year diploma in Finance, Business Administration

University degree in Finance, Accounting, Business Administration, Economics, Public Administration or a related field of study preferred

Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA) designation, or an equivalent combination of education and substantial relevant experience

Three (3) years of progressively responsible experience in financial planning, budgeting, forecasting, financial analysis, accounting or controllership

Experience providing financial advice and support to operational clients or program/service areas

Experience with budget development, variance analysis, financial modelling, management reporting and process improvement

Working knowledge of Canadian public-sector accounting concepts, including PSAB, and internal-control principles

Municipal finance, municipal budgeting or local-government experience preferred

Experience with Ontario municipal legislative and policy frameworks, including the Municipal Act, 2001, municipal budget requirements, development charges, user fees, reserves and asset-management planning, as applicable preferred

Experience with enterprise financial systems and business-intelligence/reporting tools preferred

Advanced Microsoft Excel skills, including financial modelling and data analysis

Demonstrated ability to interpret complex financial information and communicate it clearly to varied audiences

Strong consulting, relationship-management, facilitation and customer-service skills

Sound judgement, problem-solving, organization and project-management skills; ability to manage competing deadlines and shifting priorities

Ability to prepare concise, accurate reports, briefings, presentations and recommendations

Proficiency using financial systems, reporting tools and Microsoft 365 applications

Experience with the City’s financial, budgeting, procurement, reporting or document-management systems preferred

Experience developing dashboards, performance measures or data visualizations preferred

Required to obtain and maintain a satisfactory criminal record check

Must demonstrate corporate values of Belonging, Collaboration, Accountability, and Innovation

Why us?

Join a team that’s building more than a city - we’re building a community where people thrive. At the City of Kingston, your work has real impact: safer streets, greener spaces, inclusive experiences, innovative transit, creative public spaces, and brighter futures for all.

We’re more than just a municipal government - we’re a team of problem-solvers, innovators, and community-builders who take pride in shaping the place we call home. As an employer, we’re committed to your growth, your well-being, and creating an environment where every voice counts. Your career is more than a job - it’s where your impact begins.

Why you’ll love it here…

We provide our employees with a comprehensive and competitive total rewards package, which may include extended health coverage, travel and life insurance, and long-term disability. Specific benefits can vary depending on your role and terms of employment.

In addition, employees may enjoy access to:

• OMERS defined pension plan
• Vacation entitlements
• Employee wellness and assistance programs and resources
• Ongoing training and education opportunities
• Flexible work arrangements
• Corporate perks such as discounted transit and fitness passes
• Learning & development resources and networks
• Relocation assistance and local resources

To learn more about working at the City of Kingston, click here.

Learn more about what makes Kingston so special on PossibleMadeHere.org.

How to apply

Submit your online application by 11:59 PM on the job posting closing date. Click the 'APPLY HERE' button to complete your application.

Applicants must demonstrate in their submission how they meet the minimum education and experience requirements of the position. Please include any relevant education documents (degrees, diplomas, or certificates) to your profile. 

Accommodations are available at all stages of the recruitment and selection process to support a barrier-free experience for all candidates in accordance with the Ontario Human Rights Code (OHRC) and the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA). If you require any accommodations, please let us know. For more information, you can contact us at hrcity@cityofkingston.ca.

Thank you to everyone who applies. While we value each application, only those advancing in the recruitment process will be contacted. All personal information will be handled in compliance with the Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (MFIPPA).

The City of Kingston may utilize artificial intelligence (AI) assisted tools throughout the recruitment process. All final hiring decisions are made by qualified municipal staff.

Internal applications: https://bit.ly/city-kingston-internal
External applications: https://bit.ly/city-kingston-external

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Our commitment

The City of Kingston acknowledges that we are on the traditional homeland of the Anishinabek, Haudenosaunee, and the Huron-Wendat, and thanks these nations for their care and stewardship over this shared land.

Today, the City is committed to working with Indigenous peoples and all residents to pursue a united path of reconciliation.

Learn more about the City's reconciliation initiatives.