Why Do Our Finance & Accounting Professionals Love Their Work?

WHO WE ARE AND WHAT WE DO

"I have been with the City for more than eight years. My day-to-day activities include supervision, communication and training of staff. On a weekly basis, I am responsible for monitoring accounts, reviews, reporting and coaching. My work also includes team-building, interviews, mentoring, team meetings, planning, execution of plans, and ensuring complete delivery of our services to both internal and external clients regarding billings and collections."
—John Joseph, Accountant, Financial Services

"For 28 years, I've been proud to serve the City of Edmonton. I lead a team of Accountants who serve the finance needs of the Community Services Department, which is involved with Fire Rescue, Neighbourhood Social Programs and Coordination, and Recreational Facilities. I am employed by the Finance and Treasury Department, but I serve the finance needs of the Operational Department."
—Jules Tailleur, Department Finance Officer, Community Services

"For over two years, I've been employed by the City. I am the Operating Accountant, situated in the field for the Transportation Department Roadway Maintenance section. I'm involved in the day-to-day operations like accounting for inventory and materials on hand, and responding to managerial requests. Furthermore, I am responsible for the month-end processing of inventory, accruals, allocations and redistribution of costs, charges, and hours. In addition, I assist in preparing the submission of the Transportation Department's Operation Long Range Financial Plan and annual operating budget, financial reporting statements and variance reports."
—Eva Strecheniuk, Accountant, Financial Services

"I've been with the City for eight years. My main role is to work with the departmental management, Operations staff and other Finance colleagues in identifying the operational budget needs of the programs within Transportation Systems. We use the budget guidelines developed by the corporate budget office and approved by the Corporate Leadership Team and City Council. I have also been involved in year-end accounting work, provided information for City Council reports, and assisted in training new employees."
—Jerryl del Castillo, Senior Accountant, Financial Services

SOME OF THE BEST REASONS TO JOIN US

"The City of Edmonton offers a very competitive compensation package, great benefits, such as a health spending account, good vacation entitlement and a flexible work program. I have stayed because of the many career opportunities, and I've enjoyed working with my colleagues. They are very appreciative of my contributions. The staff are very accommodating, and are more than happy to share their knowledge. They make the City a great place to work!"
—Jerryl del Castillo, Senior Accountant, Financial Services

"If you're looking for a career that offers variety, work experience, a challenge and job security, then you should consider working for the City of Edmonton. The City strongly supports educational achievement and offers financial and constructive support. The potential for advancement is vast and prominent. With competitive wages, excellent benefits, and a pension package, I knew my career would be most fulfilling and successful with the City of Edmonton."
—Eva Strecheniuk, Accountant, Financial Services

"When choosing a career opportunity, most of us want to belong to an organization that offers not only growth and learning, but other options, and ways to expand our learning opportunities. The City of Edmonton offers all of that and more. If you are looking for a rewarding challenge, this is the place to be."
—John Joseph, Accountant, Financial Services

"The City strives to be at the forefront of innovation. The organization is very adaptive to the changing world, as it has to be. The makes 'change' a normal part of the vocabulary. The City is involved in so many new initiatives—such as Great Neighbourhoods, the arena proposal and new rapid transit plans—that it's necessary to find new, creative ways to finance our expansion. We are direct service providers to the citizens. Accountability to the citizens of Edmonton is of the utmost importance. As a City employee, you take pride in the things that are happening that enhance the way we live and make us one of the best cities in the world. As an employee, you are a contributor to these successes."
—Jules Tailleur, Department Finance Officer, Community Services

QUALITIES THAT DEFINE THE CITY AS AN EMPLOYER

"The City of Edmonton is responsive to their employees' concerns and issues. It is educated in all areas and matters pertaining to personnel, and they are constantly upgrading and improving in all aspects to try and achieve a safe and healthy work environment. My department is always aware and on top of any new initiatives to meet targets and deadlines. The overall philosophy is that you get from your job what you put in."
—Eva Strecheniuk, Accountant, Financial Services

"Here are some of the qualities that describe the City of Edmonton as an employer: presents opportunities for career growth, supports work/life balance, and competitive compensation, benefits, and recognition of good work. In Finance and Treasury, we keep evolving and changing to meet the needs of the ever-changing business world."
—Jules Tailleur, Department Finance Officer, Community Services

"Edmonton is very supportive of career development and training. The Finance and Treasury Department encourages us to take ongoing professional-development courses and attend conferences to meet accounting-designation requirements and be up to date on new accounting rules that we can then apply in our work. The City also provides a number of soft-skill courses like communications and interpersonal skills, and computer applications training."
—Jerryl del Castillo, Senior Accountant, Financial Services

"Four qualities that come to mind are opportunity, learning, growth, and diversity. In my department, you are constantly challenged to be proactive and this can, in most cases, bring out the best in you. The City of Edmonton is multicultural and vibrant. There is opportunity for information-sharing, communication, training, and educating. We have a strong code of ethics, policies and procedures, all of which make for a better, more understanding culture."
—John Joseph, Accountant, Financial Services

WHY EDMONTON IS A GREAT PLACE TO WORK

"I was initially hired as a Senior Accountant in the Real Estate and Housing Department, and have enjoyed varied positions throughout my career with the City. You have the opportunity to learn about the various businesses that the City is involved in and be an active partner in their successes and accomplishments. It is a constant learning process. Finance and Treasury has undergone some significant changes in the last several years, which have resulted in very positive improvements in our effectiveness."
—Jules Tailleur, Department Finance Officer, Community Services

"The City offers a wide variety of options depending on your career path. And it's a place where you can find a good challenge and still have a smile on your face at the end of the day. Every day is different, and the City of Edmonton has been a continuous learning opportunity for me. I have been challenged to go above and beyond my current work responsibilities. To date, I have not gotten up from bed asking myself if I need to go in to work today. If you make the effort to learn, you can share that experience with others in the organization."
—John Joseph, Accountant, Financial Services

"Working for the City gives you an insight on City operations and how Council's directions and decisions are carried out. You become more appreciative of the work being done throughout the City. It is very rewarding to see the end result of the projects and programs you've been involved with. There are endless opportunities as long as you're willing to work hard, have patience, and are eager to learn."
—Jerryl del Castillo, Senior Accountant, Financial Services

"At the end of the day, you go home knowing that you've accomplished what you could, and that there is always someone who's got your back. I love working here, and look forward to coming to work every morning. It is different from anywhere else I've ever worked because the teamwork and communication among my co-workers is so strong that it emulates the bond I possess in my personal life among family and loved ones."
—Eva Strecheniuk, Accountant, Financial Services

THE MOST REWARDING PART OF A CAREER HERE

"Every few years, I have an opportunity to take on a new job and learn some new things, and meet new people. In the past, I have enjoyed being involved with engineers on some key projects, such as the building of City Hall. Also, being involved in the growth and change in the City's waste management processes that have made us a world leader. It's driving around the City and being able to say you have been a contributor to so many of the City's projects and initiatives."
—Jules Tailleur, Department Finance Officer, Community Services

"One of the most rewarding parts of working here is the ongoing training the City offers to further enhance yourself and become equipped to be more effective in your area of expertise to affect the delivery of the final outcome in your organization. This can be quite satisfying, being able to contribute to a large organization as well as to the citizens."
—John Joseph, Accountant, Financial Services

"The most rewarding aspect of my career with the City is knowing that I've contributed to the well-being of the citizens of Edmonton by applying my skills and theoretical knowledge to help account for the use of tax payers' hard-earned money. For example, in the City's 2010 proposed budget, every department was responsible for achieving a budget-savings target. I was involved in the detailed analysis of RM's Hired Equipment Budget, which resulted in finding savings of $300,000 to contribute to our $7,300,000 share."
—Eva Strecheniuk, Accountant, Financial Services

"As a resident of Edmonton, I experience the many services of our municipal government. It is very rewarding to be a part of something that helps deliver those services. And I have been able to obtain my CGA designation while working full-time for the City."
—Jerryl del Castillo, Senior Accountant, Financial Services