Financial Officer Recruitment and Development (FORD) Program - Post-Secondary Recruitment

Important messages

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Work environment

Through the Financial Officer Recruitment and Development (FORD) Program, the Office of the Comptroller General seeks high-calibre individuals for recruitment into entry-level finance positions on behalf of federal government departments and agencies. Positions are located primarily in the National Capital Region (Ottawa-Gatineau), but opportunities also exist in other regions across Canada.

This three-year program will train selected post-secondary graduates to qualify as Chartered Professional Accountants (CPAs). FORD trainees will receive valuable formal and on-the-job training through developmental assignments that are tailored to meet departmental needs and meet CPA’s practical experience requirements.

Under the FORD Program:

- Trainees are generally provided with a minimum of two practical work experience assignments at their hiring department or agency over the duration of the developmental program.

- Trainees are provided with financial support and study time to complete the professional education components of the CPA Certification Program.

- Trainees who meet the qualifications and conditions of employment at the FI-02 level may be eligible for a promotional opportunity after 24 months.

- Trainees will be required to follow the CPA Professional Education Program (PEP), as offered by the CPA provincial or regional body. Candidates are advised that in some cases, the CPA PEP may be offered in English only.

Trainees should expect that significant personal effort may be required to pass the various exams that comprise the CPA PEP. Successfully passing these exams is mandatory in order to qualify as a CPA and remain in the program.

Intent of the process

A partially assessed pool of qualified candidates resulting from this process will be established on behalf of federal government departments and agencies. There will be approximately 60 positions to fill from this pool.

Candidates who are appointed at the FI-01 level through this process will have the opportunity to be assessed at the FI-02 group and level twenty-four (24) months following their start date. An inventory of assessed candidates at the FI-02 group and level will be established by the Office of the Comptroller General (Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat), in accordance with FORD program guidelines. The inventory may be used to staff FI-02 positions in other organizations within the core public administration. By applying to this process, you consent to your personal information related to your application being shared with other government departments interested in staffing similar positions.

Positions to be filled: 60

In order to be considered, your application must clearly explain how you meet the following (essential qualifications)

EDUCATION:

Applicants must:

Have obtained an undergraduate degree with a specialization in accounting OR a graduate degree with a specialization in accounting* by June 1, 2019, from a recognized post-secondary institution**.

* The latest degree with a specialization in accounting must lead toward admission to the Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA) Professional Education Program (PEP). Candidates whose degree is older than 10 years must provide proof of eligibility for the CPA PEP prior to June 1, 2019.

OR

Have a bachelor’s degree in any field from a recognized post-secondary institution** and, by June 1, 2019, have completed the prerequisite courses for admission to the CPA PEP (either through CPA preparatory courses or post-secondary institution programs). ***

** Proof of Canadian equivalency for degrees obtained outside of Canada must be provided at the time of the interview.

*** Proof of eligibility for the CPA PEP must be provided prior to June 1, 2019.

Note: The FORD Program is a developmental program for individuals who wish to obtain an entry-level financial officer position and pursue a professional accounting designation. As such, applicants who have fewer than 16 months of CPA practical experience to complete as of June 1, 2019, or applicants who already hold a professional accounting designation as of June 1, 2019, will not be considered for these entry-level developmental positions.

Degree equivalency

The following will be applied / assessed at a later date (essential for the job)

Various language requirements
English Essential
French Essential
Bilingual Imperative (various levels - BBB/BBB being the minimum)

Information on language requirements

COMPETENCIES:

Engagement;
Strategic thinking - analysis;
Strategic thinking - ideas;
Values and ethics;

ABILITIES:

Ability to communicate effectively in writing;
Ability to communicate effectively orally.

The following may be applied / assessed at a later date (may be needed for the job)

EXPERIENCE:

Involvement in extra-curricular activities while at university, such as student employment, varsity sports, student associations and volunteer activities.

Selection may be limited to members of the following Employment Equity groups: Aboriginal persons, persons with disabilities, visible minorities, women

Information on employment equity

Positions are available across Canada. Candidates may be asked to relocate in order to accept an appointment that could be located within the candidate's own geographical area, the National Capital Region or other geographical areas.

Conditions of employment

Reliability Status security clearance - as a minimum or other levels of security up to Top Secret.

Please note that the security clearance levels are not used at the screening stage. The hiring department is responsible for the security clearance process.

Candidates for the Financial Officer Recruitment and Development (FORD) Program, when hired, must agree to follow the CPA PEP, as offered by the CPA provincial or regional accounting body or a program that is equivalent to the CPA PEP at a recognized Canadian university.

Other information

The Public Service of Canada is committed to building a skilled and diverse workforce that reflects the Canadians we serve. We promote employment equity and encourage you to indicate if you belong to one of the targeted groups when you apply.

Information on employment equity

Please note that the FORD Program is highly competitive and that only a limited number of candidates who have strong results will be invited for interviews. No information on the status or progress of candidacy will be given. Asset qualifications and/or top-down selection may be used throughout the process.

You will be asked to provide a resume at a later date.

Candidates from outside the public service may be required to pay for travel and relocation costs associated with this selection process.

Preference

Preference will be given to veterans and to Canadian citizens, in that order.

Information on the preference to veterans

We thank all those who apply. Only those selected for further consideration will be contacted.