test table of content
Designing, implementing, and maintaining financial management and reporting systems and complementary financial and administrative business processes, to support the effective and judicious use of financial resources.
Level 1. Demonstrates introductory understanding, directing people to the appropriate source for further information.
BEHAVIORS
- Describes the organization’s financial systems, processes and supporting technology.
- Prepares basic reports in response to management information needs.
- Describes how the organization works, and the essential financial process requirements.
- Applies limited aspects of policies and procedures, with guidance, in circumscribed, straightforward situations.
- Uses standard accounting software and packages.
QUESTIONS
- Describe a report that you prepared for management that explained a financial system or process.
Probing Questions
* What was the report for?
* How was the information need to be identified?
* How did you organize and present the information in the report?
* How was the report received by management?
- Give me an example of what you have done in the past to maintain your computer skills on financial systems and applications.
Probing Questions
* What was the financial system or application?
* What computer skills were required?
* What did you do to maintain your skills?
* How has this paid off?
Level 2. Applies the competency in common situations that present limited difficulties, working with a moderate level of guidance.
BEHAVIORS
- Explains the flow of internal transactions through the organization, and the basic business functions, financial processes and administrative procedures of the organization.
- Identifies the impact of financial systems and transactions on cross-functional groups within the organization.
- Responds to user's inquiries concerning systems, processes, and technology.
- Outlines the organization’s standards for the assembly and exchange of financial information
- Describes the system development life cycle, its components and its own role in the process.
QUESTIONS
- Describe a time when you provided user support for an inquiry on the financial system.
Probing Questions
* What was the request?
* Who was the user and what was his/her financial or systems background?
* What assistance did you provide to the user?
* What was the outcome?
- Describe how you have used the organization's standards for exchanging financial information.
Probing Questions
* What mechanisms have you used to ensure adherence to standards?
* What are the standards you have to adhere to?
* How have you applied these standards to your work?
* What were the consequences of not adhering to the standards in projects that you were involved with?
Level 3. Applies the competency in the full range of typical situations, requiring guidance in only the most complex or new situations.
BEHAVIORS
- Describes the integrated information systems and processes related to accounting, reporting, and strategic financial management.
- Communicates complex technical information to IT personnel, financial systems analysts, financial managers, and program managers.
- Participates in the review of automated financial systems, responds to review findings, and applies recommended system improvements.
- Maintains integrated systems and key financial business processes by applying the system development life cycle process.
- Delivers user training courses related to financial processes, systems, and technology.
- Participates in the review of automated financial systems, responds to review findings, and applies recommended system improvements.
- Reconciles organizational accounting records accounts receivable, and G/L accounts.
QUESTIONS
- Describe a time when you had to communicate complex technical information.
Probing Questions
* What was the information you needed to communicate?
* How was it complex?
* Who was your target audience?
* How did you communicate it?
* What did you do to ensure that the information was understood?
- Tell me about a situation where you participated in the review of an automated financial system.
Probing Questions
* Which system did you review?
* What were the goals of the system review?
* What role did you play in the review?
* What were the review findings?
* How did you apply the recommended system improvements?
- Please tell me about a time when you developed and delivered a training course related to financial processes, systems, or technology.
Probing Questions
* How did you identify the need?
* How did you determine the course objectives and design the course content?
* How was the course delivered?
* What was the impact of the learning intervention?
Level 4. Applies the competency in new or complex situations and advises others.
BEHAVIORS
- Requests information from new financial models/analyses to help mitigate risk and improve long-term viability.
- Identifies opportunities to better align financial procedures, processes, and systems to business requirements.
- Researches and analyzes alternative internal performance measurement approaches and makes recommendations to senior staff.
- Evaluates accounting and reporting systems, processes, controls, and procedures.
- Explains the potential impact of financial and technological change on systems, procedures, and processes.
- Evaluates financial systems and applications against the needs and mandate of the organization.
QUESTIONS
- Describe a time when you evaluated accounting and reporting systems and procedures.
Probing Questions
* What were your role and responsibilities?
* What prompted you to conduct an evaluation?
* What methodology did you design to conduct the evaluation?
* What was the result of the evaluation?
* How were the results subsequently used?
- Tell me about a time when you were involved in a re-engineering effort to improve the processing of financial information.
Probing Questions
* What process were you re-engineering and why?
* What were the circumstances surrounding this initiative?
* What was the re-engineering process?
* What was the re-engineering process?
Level 5. Develops new approaches and methods in the area. Is recognized as an expert within the organization.
BEHAVIORS
- Implements organizational financial accounting software and systems, standards, processes, and practices.
- Assesses the potential impacts of technical solutions on the organization in terms of efficiencies introduced, manual processes eliminated, risks, benefits, and cost and resource savings.
- Leads large-scale financial process projects that are aligned with the organization’s mandate and financial objectives.
- Develops organizational processes and guidelines to support operational frameworks or/ to implement organization-wide policies and regulations.
- Conducts evaluations, offerings strategic advice, and recommendations on integrating information management systems and business practices into accounting and/or business management frameworks.
QUESTIONS
- With regard to financial systems, processes, and technology, describe a large-scale project that you have led.
Probing Questions
* What were the circumstances surrounding this initiative?
* Over what period of time did the project unfold?
* How many people were assigned to this project and what were their roles?
* How did you ensure it was aligned with the organization’s mandate and financial objectives?
What was the outcome?
- Tell me about a time where you assessed the potential impact of a technical solution on an organization.
Probing Questions
* What was the technical solution you were implementing?
* How did you identify the impact or consequences of implementation?
* What was the potential impact?
* What recommendations did you make?
* How did your recommendations take into consideration potential impact?