Accounting Assistant (Transit)

Job Number: 5099
Job Type: Temporary Full-Time
Vacancy Reason: Backfill
Temp Contract Length: 12 Months
Location: 250 Strasburg Rd - Transit-Strasburg Road Ops
Number of Positions: 1
Department: Finance and Administrative Services (Transit Services)
Division: Transportation Services
Hours of Work: 35 hours per week
Work Schedule: Monday to Friday, 8:30am to 4:30pm) hybrid - 2 days per week in office
Union: CUPE 1883
Grade: CUPE 1883 Grade 012
Salary Range: $42.61 - $48.15 per hour
Posting Date: November 10, 2026
Closing Date: November 17, 2026

About Us!

The Region of Waterloo is a thriving, diverse community committed to fostering opportunities for current and future generations. Waterloo Region is part of the Dish with One Spoon wampum, a treaty guiding our commitment to:

• Taking only what we need
• Leaving some for others
• Keeping the dish clean

This agreement underpins our vision, mission, and core value, and reinforces our dedication to meaningful reconciliation and equity.

Waterloo Region is home to over 674,000 residents and expected to grow to nearly one million by 2051. Guided by our 2023-2027 Strategic Plan, “Growing with Care,” we prioritize homes for all, climate aligned growth, equitable services and opportunities and a resilient and future ready organization. Our mission is to provide essential services that enhance the quality of life for all residents, while our core value emphasizes caring for people and the land we share. Join us and be part of a team dedicated to making a meaningful difference in our community.

The Role

Investigates, compiles, and analyzes data, formats reports, and administers financial accounts to support management decision-making, operational planning, and budget preparation for Transit Services. Researches and recommends changes to financial and administrative systems, processes, and procedures to support financial data integrity and control.

Duties/Responsibilities

• Assists management to create and maintain systems for divisional budget control and forecasting. Assists to prepare operating and capital budgets and year-end budget forecasts. Reviews and analyzes operating and capital expenditures and budget data, and investigates and resolves discrepancies.
• Tracks, investigates, compiles data, and creates reports for management to use in decision-making, program planning, and information sharing. Investigates and verifies data accuracy, and clarifies discrepancies. Maintains and generates regular and ad-hoc summary reports. With direction from management, determines key performance indicators for reporting. Determines best way to gather information and analyzes information integrity.
• Administers, or oversees administration of accounts payable and accounts receivable for Transit. Reconciles accounts regularly throughout the year and for year-end, ensuring expenditures, revenues, assets, and liabilities are properly accounted for. Makes journal entries and corrections for charges to internal accounts, including for insurance claims.
• Acts as a resource to administrative staff regarding accounts payable and accounts receivable processes (e.g., resolves complex issues, provides training, SOPs, and guidance).
• Liaises between Regional staff, divisional staff vendors, and corporate Finance for accounts payable and receivable transactions, including reconciling monthly invoices against activity data and insurance claims.
• Works with Financial Analyst to resolve accounting issues and prepare financial information, including as part of year-end budget activities and for submission to external agencies and Ministries as part of funding requirements.
• Monitors and prepares accounting entries for bank deposits of cash fares. Reviews daily balancing records from cash room, verifies bank deposits with bank statements, and submits to Finance. Assists to administer contract for cash pick up, including contract development and service performance. Liaises with bank, Finance, and contractor to resolve issues.
• Monitors agreements for transportation services not provided internally (e.g., taxi, “Bus Plus,” armoured car service for deposits). Tracks and reconciles payments, ensuring compliance with contract terms and conditions. Prepares and maintains data and analysis, and reports on usage, costs, and other performance indicators. Reviews, investigates, and analyzes data for cost savings, and makes recommendations to management.
• Prepares and formats committee and council reports for management as requested.
• Identifies opportunities to improve administrative and internal financial processes, systems, and practices for financial integrity and control. Develops and leads process changes, including consulting with other teams in Transit and corporate Finance, and providing training and support to Transit staff.
• Provides financial expertise to transit planners, schedulers, and other areas in Transit to support operational planning (e.g., analysis, costing, revenue projections for service changes).
• Plans and prioritizes work to meet deadlines and priorities established by management. Develops analytical framework to address issues and requests. Resolves issues independently, consulting with management on unusual situations and for approval to change processes and practices.
• Exchanges data with other transit partners.
• Backs up the Cash Control and Administrative Clerk.
• Performs related duties as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Knowledge and skills are acquired through a 3-year degree/diploma in a related field (e.g., finance, business, commerce, economics, math) plus 3 years of related experience. An equivalent combination of education and experience will be considered, which may include a professional accounting designation and less experience.
• Knowledge of financial and management accounting practices and principles, financial and systems analysis, budget preparation, report writing, and general business and commerce principles.
• Knowledge of and ability to comply with policies, procedures, generally accepted accounting principles, and related legislation and regulations.
• Analytical, problem solving, and attention to detail skills to verify data accuracy, create reports, and create complex financial analysis and systems.
• Ability to work independently, and plan and prioritize work to meet deadlines.
• Communications skills to explain financial information and analysis to management; provide training and guidance to other staff; exchange information and resolve issues with corporate Finance; and participate as an effective team member.
• Computer skills with ability to use software such as Microsoft Office and Oracle financials. Proficiency using Excel and report writers to develop complex financial models and make recommendations and decisions on financial issues.
• Ability to read and interpret documents and financial information. Ability to write reports, procedures, and presentations so complex information is clear, concise, and understandable.
• Must provide an acceptable police Records Check (Level 2) for bondability.
• Ability to travel within Waterloo Region.
• Ability to support and demonstrate the Region’s values.
  

Region of Waterloo is committed to building a workforce through fair, equitable, and accessible hiring practices that allow us to hire qualified staff who reflect the diversity of the community we serve and to promote a respectful, inclusive, and equitable workplace.

We invite all interested individuals to apply and actively encourage applications from members of groups with historical and/or current barriers to equity, including, but not limited to:

• First Nations, Métis and Inuit peoples, and all other Indigenous peoples;
• members of groups that commonly experience discrimination due to race, ancestry, religion and/or spiritual beliefs, or place of origin;
• persons with visible and/or invisible (physical and/or mental) disabilities;
• persons who identify as women; and persons of marginalized sexual orientations, gender identities, and gender expressions

For questions or to request accommodations during your recruitment, onboarding or employment, please contact [email protected], or by calling our Service First Contact Centre at phone number (519) 575-4400.

Use of Artificial Intelligence in the Hiring Process: Region of Waterloo may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to enhance efficiency during the recruitment process. However, applications will also be reviewed by a member of our Talent Acquisition team to ensure a fair and thorough assessment. AI does not make final hiring decisions.

Please note: candidates will be provided an update on their application. Please check your spam or junk folder occasionally as some candidates have noticed our emails in those folders (Gmail and Hotmail in particular).