Financial Analyst (term)

Cochrane is located in the breathtaking Bow Valley corridor in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains in southern Alberta. With a population of over 37,000 people, and growing steadily every year, Cochrane is a thriving town, surrounded by world-famous ranch country. Our western heritage is reflected in the Town’s architecture and our friendly people. The Town of Cochrane welcomes innovative and skilled individuals to join our team of over 250 employees.

The Financial Reporting team is essential to maintaining the organization’s financial integrity, accountability, and transparency. Through the delivery of timely, accurate, and meaningful financial insights, the team empowers informed decision‑making across all levels of the organization while ensuring full compliance with legislative and regulatory standards.

The Financial Analyst supports this mandate by transforming complex financial information into clear, actionable insights. As a senior financial resource and strategic business partner, you will collaborate with finance teams, operational departments, and organizational leadership to deliver high‑quality analysis, professional advice, and evidence‑based recommendations. This role is ideal for a finance professional who values accuracy, accountability, and public service, and who thrives in a dynamic environment with diverse financial responsibilities. In addition to financial reporting and analysis, the position plays an important role in supporting financial systems and ERP processes, documenting business workflows, and advancing continuous improvement initiatives across the organization.

Please note: This is a term position until December 31, 2028, with possibility of extension. It’s a unique chance to contribute to financial processes, support efficient operations, and be part of a team that values collaboration, efficiency, and integrity.

In this role, you will dig deeply into financial data, interpret results, and translate your findings into well‑reasoned recommendations that support sound decision‑making. You bring strong professional judgment, a detail‑oriented approach, and the ability to connect information from multiple sources to solve problems, identify emerging issues, and proactively bring forward insights. Familiarity with municipal financial operations is an advantage and will help you excel in this role, particularly when navigating complex reporting requirements and capital planning frameworks.

Key Responsibilities

• Prepare and analyze financial, statistical, and analytical reports and models to assess project cost‑effectiveness, risk, trends, and funding options.
• Provide senior‑level accounting and financial analysis expertise to support accurate financial reporting, budgeting, forecasting, and organizational decision‑making.
• Prepare monthly financial and capital asset reports, forecasts, variance analyses, and maintain financial models, tools, and dashboards.
• Review financial components of reports, contracts, agreements, and funding arrangements for accuracy and compliance with policies, legislation, and internal controls.
• Ensure the accuracy, completeness, and integrity of financial data by applying internal controls, accounting standards, and identifying issues requiring escalation.
• Prepare year‑end adjustments and working papers for external auditors.
• Support departments in identifying financial data needs and developing short‑ and long‑term operating and capital forecasts and plans.
• Respond to ad hoc financial data requests and analysis needs from internal and external stakeholders.
• Act as a senior financial resource, providing expert advice, insights, and recommendations to finance, operations, and leadership teams.
• Contribute to continuous improvement of financial processes, systems, and reporting frameworks to enhance efficiency, transparency, and accountability
• Participate in ERP optimization initiatives by supporting system maintenance, testing, troubleshooting, reporting enhancements, and user adoption across finance and operational departments
• Lead the documentation and continuous improvement of financial and business processes, ensuring procedures are clearly defined, current, and aligned with organizational objectives and internal control requirements

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Business, Finance, or a related field; CPA designation preferred.
• Minimum 3 years of post qualification experience in accounting or finance, or an equivalent combination of education and experience; municipal experience preferred.
• Experience with financial reporting and ERP systems (Dynamics Great Plains an asset), including system administration, testing, troubleshooting, report development, user support, and process improvement initiatives
• Experience documenting business processes, workflows, and procedures, with the ability to identify efficiencies and support organizational change and continuous improvement efforts
• Strong knowledge of municipal accounting rules, legislation, and standards (e.g., MGA, PSAS) for both operating and capital budgeting.
• Understanding of offsite levies, developer cost charges, and growth related funding mechanisms.
• Proficiency with financial analysis, report preparation, and data interpretation.
• Ability to identify and recommend improvements to financial systems and applications.
• Strong communication and relationship building skills across all levels of the organization.
• Excellent organizational skills with the ability to manage priorities and meet deadlines.
• Advanced skills in Microsoft Excel (PivotTables, Power Query, financial modeling), PowerPoint, and data visualization tools such as Power BI.

Why Join Us

• Shape Cochrane’s future by applying your financial expertise to support responsible growth and strong fiscal stewardship.
• Contribute to innovative financial strategies and reporting that drive long‑term planning and high‑value municipal projects.
• Work with a supportive, multidisciplinary team that values collaboration, integrity, and thoughtful problem‑solving.
• See the direct impact of your work on municipal services, infrastructure, and residents’ quality of life.
• Develop your career in a thriving, rapidly growing community with excellent compensation, benefits, and continuous learning opportunities

If you’re ready to put your financial expertise to work in a role where your insights directly shape community outcomes, we encourage you to apply.

• Qualified individuals are encouraged to submit a resume and cover letter outlining how their experience aligns with the required qualifications, skills, and abilities.
• All qualified candidates will be requested to complete an online suitability survey
• Applications for this position will be accepted until 9pm MST Aug 30, 2026 at www.cochrane.ca/jobs
• $52.36/hour based on 35 hours/week + benefits and pension!

We thank all applicants for their interest, however only those selected for an interview will be contacted. All applicants must be legally entitled to live and work in Canada.

Land Acknowledgement

In the spirit of reconciliation, we acknowledge that we live, work and play on the traditional territories of the Blackfoot Confederacy (Siksika, Kainai, Piikani), the Tsuut’ina, the Îyâxe Nakoda Nations, the Métis Nation (Region 3), and all people who make their homes in the Treaty 7 region of Southern Alberta.