TODAY’ S MUNICIPAL TREASURER
transformation, is a former treasurer for the County of Lanark who also has experience at the federal and provincial levels of government. When she took on the role in Lanark, her aim was to change the traditional perception of the treasurer to that of a business partner, as opposed to a controller.
“ I believe that councils in the municipal sector are very much like a board of directors,” she explains.“ They need to have more comprehensive advice from treasurers, among others, to be able to make long-term, higher level decisions. With municipalities, over the last 10 years or so, that longer-term view is starting to emerge with the issues around infrastructure deficits. I would argue that the treasurer’ s role is now that of a strategic adviser who focuses on the long term and they need support on the operational side to do so.”
Skills gap In the past, municipal treasurers were able to advance through the ranks without much formal training, learning on the job as they went along.
But in 2009, the adoption of the PSAB requirements radically changed the competencies required in the municipal treasurer role.
“ That piece alone [ PSAB accounting ] was beyond the skill sets of many treasurers in place at the time,” says Wolters.“ Now, the requirements around financial reporting require very different competencies and there’ s a skills gap there.”
Today’ s treasurers, she adds, need to focus not just on beans, but on business as well. The role has evolved into that of a financial strategist and business partner to council and other departments, but that’ s not to say traditional skills are no longer required.
Dan Cowin, executive director of the Municipal Finance Officers’ Association of Ontario( MFOA), agrees that treasurers now need a broader skill set.
“ Municipalities face financial challenges and requirements that mean that treasurers are doing a lot more,” he explains.“ In some cases, this involves new skills, including strong communications skills, so treasurers can help council understand the financial implications of what they do or don’ t do. In addition to
“ I would argue that the treasurer’ s role is now that of a strategic adviser who focuses on the long term and they need support on the operational side to do so.”
– Tammy Wolters, CEO, WSCS Consulting Inc.
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16 Q2 2015 www. amcto. com