Financial Analyst

The Role
The FAO is seeking a Financial Analyst to join our team. Under the direction of the Chief Financial Analyst and the Financial Accountability Officer, you will undertake financial and economic analysis of Ontario government programs and policy proposals to support the work of Members of Provincial Parliament (MPPs) and legislative committees.

Principal Responsibilities
• Estimate the financial cost of Ontario government programs and policy initiatives using the models and frameworks developed by the FAO.
• Analyze and prepare financial assessments of the Ontario Budget and Expenditure Estimates.
• Forecast the outcomes of government programs and policy proposals, including impact/distributional analysis and whether government program objectives and commitments will be achieved.
• Synthesize very complex subject matter and provide analysis, through written reports, presentations and briefings, to MPPs, legislative committees, the media and the public, in a non-partisan, independent and authoritative manner.
• Use leading-edge methodologies to develop and employ financial and microeconomic models, while ensuring a high quality of financial, costing and economic analysis.
• Contribute to the development of databases, models and other analytical tools for use in the FAO’s financial and microeconomic analysis.

Knowledge, Skills and Experience
• A graduate degree from a recognized university with a specialization in finance or economics, together with two to five years of experience in conducting financial or microeconomic analysis of programs or policies.
• Extensive knowledge of theories, principles, concepts and techniques of financial analysis, microeconomics and/or public finance.
• Superior written and verbal communication skills used to prepare comprehensive reports, evaluations and forecasts, while consulting and collaborating with internal and external contacts/stakeholders.
• Exceptional relationship management skills and discretion to develop effective partnerships with the Legislative Assembly of Ontario, Ontario Public Service (OPS) and external stakeholders.
• Proficiency in using standard office software applications (e.g., Microsoft 365 Office applications – Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Teams), as well as the ability to use statistical software and databases.
• Strong project management and problem-solving skills to manage multiple priorities with competing deadlines.
• Knowledge of the relevant structural and institutional characteristics of the Ontario economy; Ontario’s provincial budget and spending process; Ontario government ministries and programs; and key laws relevant to the mandate and operation of the FAO, including the Financial Accountability Officer Act and the Fiscal Sustainability, Transparency and Accountability Act