Accounting Supervisor
Halifax Regional Municipality • Full Time
Posted on Wed, Jun 3, 2026
Halifax Regional Municipality is inviting applications for the permanent full-time position of Accounting Supervisor with Accounting Operations. Halifax Regional Municipality (HRM) is committed to reflecting the community it serves and recognizing Diversity and Inclusion as one of the Municipality’s core values. Preference will be given to candidates who self-identify as African Nova Scotians and Other Racially Visible Persons, Indigenous/Aboriginal People, Persons with Disabilities and 2SLGBTQ+ Persons. Applicants are encouraged to self-identify on their electronic application.
As a member of the Accounting Operations team and reporting to the Manager Accounting Operations, the Supervisor is responsible for leading a team to deliver the effective controls, processing, accounting, and financial reporting within the organization. This role involves the comprehensive oversight of Capital Asset accounting. The Supervisor ensures adherence to Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) and alignment with both internal and government regulations. The Supervisor delivers advice and direction relating to accounting policies and procedures to ensure compliance with internal and Provincial/Federal policies.
The Supervisor coordinates and supervises a team of Accountants and a Financial Reporting Analyst. The position exercises independent judgment and knowledge in the execution of their duties and works under minimal direction with latitude for the use of initiative, judgment and leadership. This position is deadline oriented and requires a thorough knowledge of financial standards, GAAP, and practices in a municipal environment.
The Supervisor is instrumental in maintaining effective financial controls, processing operating and capital asset transactions, and delivering accurate financial reporting related to capital investments, which includes managing funds allocated for capital expenditures and engaging with various departments.
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
1. LEADERSHIP:
- Provides leadership and supervision in the accounting and financial reporting processes.
- Makes employee related decisions: hiring, recognition, discipline, and leaves.
- Ensures employee development: onboarding, training, knowledge, performance reviews.
- Provides guidance, expertise, and strategy to staff for dispute settlement.
- Motivates, empowers, and coaches staff to achieve established performance standards and improve quality services.
- Maintains and updates job descriptions.
- Builds interdepartmental collaboration and drives continuous improvement.
- Sets priorities, creates productive work environment, demonstrates, and focuses on results.
- Promotes open communications, builds effective relationships with external and internal clients, and promotes strong customer service.
- Initiates, participates, and leads, as required, staff on special projects.
- Other related duties as assigned.
- Responsible for the timely close of monthly and year end accounting procedures for capital accounts and assets.
- Approves journal entries, reviews general ledger accounts, and reviews account reconciliations.
- Ensures transactions are recorded in the correct period, adhering to the appropriate SAP hierarchy, projects, cost centres, and general ledger accounts.
- Recommends and provides appropriate internal controls.
- Ensures timely responses to financial requests through effective communication and understanding of HRM Policies & Procedures.
- Identifies, reviews, and research accounting and reporting processes; and makes recommendations for improvements.
- Works with SAP Specialists to assess current capabilities and identify new requirements or methods.
- Coordinates testing and evaluation of new systems/upgrades in SAP financial and related systems.
- Provides back-up coverage to Payment Processing Supervisor during absences.
- Acts for Accounting Operations Manager
- Capital
- Responsible to ensure data from source systems (Fleet Focus, GIS) are accurate and balanced prior to loading to accounting records within SAP.
- Maintains an up-to-date knowledge of the TCA accounting standards.
- Oversees the control and reconciliation of all capital asset accounts, ensuring discrepancies are identified and resolved promptly.
- Sets up the process and schedule for monthly reporting in accordance with established timelines.
- Assembles and verifies documents and analyses required for comprehensive monthly and annual reporting on operating and capital funds, ensuring all data is accurate and aligns with established financial policies.
- Reviews account reconciliations prepared by Accountants, providing guidance and recommendations as required.
- Prepares and coordinates the year-end financial statement audit related to the Operating, Reserve, Trust Funds, and Capital as well as outside agencies, boards, and commissions, including maintenance of the year-end working paper files.
- Maintains effective working relationships with external auditors, and works as first point of contact for operating and capital during the annual audit process/
- Reviews, develops, recommends, and ensures compliance with financial policies and procedures for HRM relating to accounting and financial statement reporting in keeping with established and changing accounting standards and guidelines and government regulations.
- Provides interpretation and rulings on policy for staff and interacts with senior staff and Council to ensure both the principle and the detail of the policy is administered.
- Establishes and maintains effective working relationships with business officials, business unit directors and managers, project managers, contractors, vendors, and members of council; providing support and advice for initiatives that impact financial management.
- Provides support and advice for implementation of new financial initiatives, programs and special projects that have a financial impact on business units and HRM.
- Liaise with other business units, Provincial and Federal Government departments and Council to promote on-going compliance with corporate, legislated and generally accepted accounting policies and procedures.
- Develops and maintains a central depository for Finance policies and procedures through an electronic records management system.
- Reviews and approves provincial and Stats Canada reports.
- Capital
- Sets up the process and reporting related to external claim submissions, managing timelines and preparation in accordance with established financial procedures.
- Reviews, develops, and recommends financial policies and procedures specifically for TCA analysis.
Education and Experience:
- Post-secondary degree in Business or Public Administration, or related field. A professional accounting designation (CPA) preferred.
- Three to five years of broad financial management experience.
- Proven experience in the interpretation and administration of accounting policies and procedures as well as supervisory experience. Two years or more of supervisory experience would be considered an asset.
- Thorough knowledge of financial records and systems and budget and planning tools and methods, with demonstrated ability to analyze and interpret complex accounting, financial and statistical reports.
- Sound knowledge of corporate financial modelling and the latest financial management technology.
- Knowledge of public finance and public administration; advanced computer skills; strong interpersonal and presentation skills.
Graduation from HRM’s Aspiring Leader’s Program is considered an asset, and completion of the program is equivalent to one year of leadership experience.
Security Clearance Requirements: Applicants may be required to complete an employment security screening check.
Please note – Testing may be conducted as a component of the selection process to assess technical and job specific knowledge. Candidates who are selected for testing, may be tested in a group setting, scheduled at the employer’s discretion.
COMPETENCIES: Analytical Thinking, Valuing Diversity, Communications, Customer Service, Teamwork & Cooperation, Organizing & Planning, Developing Others, Decision Making, Values & Ethics, Organizational Awareness
WORK STATUS: Permanent, Full-time
HOURS OF WORK: Monday - Friday, 8:30am - 4:30pm, 35 hours per week.
SALARY: $72,370 - 93,650. Salary will be determined based on relevant experience and qualifications related to the specified pay band and job. Placement above the midpoint of the pay band is typically reserved for candidates who significantly exceed the minimum qualifications, such as those with exceptional experience, specialized skills, or demonstrated achievements relevant to the role. This ensures fair and consistent compensation practices across the organization.
WORK LOCATION: 40 Alderney Drive, Dartmouth.
CLOSING DATE: Applications will be received up to 11:59 PM on Sunday, 14 June 2026.
Please note: We thank all applicants for their interest in this position. Only those applicants selected for interview/testing will be contacted.
To ensure a fair and equitable hiring process, candidates are expected to complete all parts of the recruitment process, including assessments, assignments, and interviews independently and without the use of artificial intelligence (AI) tools or other forms of external assistance. The use of AI to complete any component of the hiring process is not permitted and may result in disqualification from consideration.
Shortlisted candidates will be required to provide proof of their qualifications, including, but not limited to, educational credentials, professional licenses, and relevant certifications.
During the recruitment process, applicants have the right to request an accommodation. Applicants invited to participate in an assessment process (such as interview or testing) and who require an accommodation, should discuss their needs with the Talent Acquisition Advisor when invited to the assessment process. For more information on our accommodation process please click on the link: Accommodations | Hiring | Employment | Halifax
(position # 78640166)