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

Important messages

The Government of Canada is committed to fostering a public service culture grounded in diversity, inclusiveness and accessibility. An inclusive workplace in which individual differences are recognized, appreciated and respected, and where each person’s talents and strengths are fully developed and utilized.

Representation matters!

Creating an environment where diverse perspectives are valued begins with self-declaration. Count yourself in and self-declare by identifying to which employment equity group(s) you belong to.

Give yourself the best chance to succeed!

If you have a limitation that may impact your performance during an assessment, such as a test or interview, you may require an accommodation. Assessment accommodations are designed to remove the obstacles without altering the criteria being assessed so candidates with limitations can fully demonstrate their abilities.

For more information about assessment accommodation, please visit our website at https://www.canada.ca/en/public-service-commission/services/assessment-accommodation-page.html

Why work for the Public Service of Canada?

Canada’s Public Service is recognized as a world class public service. Through this one employer:
• you will have access to a variety of opportunities across the country in a broad range of specializations that offers training, development possibilities and career advancement;
• you will have access to work-life balance through a flexible work environment, excellent benefits and competitive salaries;
• you will be able to put your calling to work and have an impact on your community through your contribution and the quality of your work;
• you will be encouraged to innovate, collaborate and challenge the status quo in achieving results for Canadians and our communities.

Join us and be part of a modern, leading and performing federal public service! Apply today!

Work environment

The Office of the Comptroller General on behalf of federal government departments and agencies located across Canada, is seeking high-caliber individuals to hire into entry-level finance positions through the Financial Officer Recruitment and Development (FORD) Program.

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 in order to qualify as Chartered Professional Accountants (CPAs).

As part of the three-year 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 candidates resulting from this process will be established on behalf of federal government departments and agencies. There will be approximately 40 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. This assessment will be led by the Office of the Comptroller General (Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat), in accordance with the FORD program guidelines. 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: 40

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

EDUCATION:

Applicants must:

Have obtained or will obtain by June 1, 2020, an undergraduate degree with a specialization in accounting OR a graduate degree with a specialization in accounting* 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, 2020.

OR

Have obtained or will obtain by June 1, 2020, a degree*** in any field from a recognized post-secondary institution**, and 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.

***Degree: Unless it is otherwise specified (e.g., Master’s degree), the term “degree” refers to a baccalaureate as established by educational authorities.

**** Proof of eligibility for the CPA PEP must be provided prior to June 1, 2020.

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, 2020, or applicants who already hold a professional accounting designation as of June 1, 2020, will not be considered for these entry-level developmental positions.

Degree equivalency

If you possess any of the following, your application must also clearly explain how you meet it (other qualifications)

EXPERIENCE:

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

Please ensure you provide all the required information in your answers to the screening questions.

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.

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)

Please note that the majority of positions are located in the National Capital Region (Ottawa and Gatineau) and are mostly bilingual positions.

Information on language requirements

Second Language Writing Skills Self-Assessment
In order to help you decide if you should apply to a bilingual position, an optional self-assessment of your writing skills in your second official language is available for you to take before completing your application.

For more information, please consult:
Unsupervised Internet Test of Second Language Writing Skills

COMPETENCIES:

Strategic Lens (Aligns responsibilities with organizational priorities to reflect the strategic direction of the Public Service and position the sector and/or the organization for effective results);

Collaboration (Aware of, and responsive to, the needs of stakeholders (client, management, colleagues) and environmental context);

Adaptability (Constructively adapts one’s style in the face of ambiguity, uncertainty and risk. Approaches new situations with an open mind, versatility and agility);

Results Driven (Delivers well informed, effective solutions or options that are innovative and based on due diligence. Is savvy, able to think critically and solve problems to deliver well informed advice and strategies for results).

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

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 designated 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 files 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, with the exception of a job located in Nunavut, where Nunavut Inuit will be appointed first.

Information on the preference to veterans

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