As a Supervisor - Costing, you will lead a team of costing professionals within Department of National Defence financial management operations. You are responsible for overseeing the development, implementation, and maintenance of costing methodologies, systems, and processes that support accurate financial analysis and decision-making across DND. Your team produces detailed cost estimates, variance analyses, and financial reports that inform strategic planning and resource allocation at all levels of the organization.
Your responsibilities include supervising and evaluating team members, assigning and monitoring costing projects, ensuring compliance with Treasury Board costing standards and DND financial policies, and serving as a subject matter expert on costing practices. You will manage budgets for your unit, coordinate with other financial and operational teams, and communicate complex financial information to both technical and non-technical stakeholders. You may also be involved in process improvement initiatives, system implementations, and training team members on costing tools and methodologies.
You will work in a professional office environment within DND headquarters or regional offices, collaborating with colleagues across finance, accounting, operations, and program management. The role requires strong analytical skills, attention to detail, and the ability to manage competing priorities while maintaining high standards of accuracy and integrity in financial reporting.
Key Responsibilities
Coordinate and oversee daily costing operations, Assign work, monitor progress, and provide guidance to team members, Review work products for quality and compliance with standards, Contribute to operational planning and process improvement
Required Skills
Financial analysis, Accounting principles (PSAS/IFRS), SAP/financial systems, Budgeting, Attention to detail, Team supervision, Work coordination, Quality control, Staff development
Typical Education
Post-secondary diploma or degree; experience in the relevant technical or functional area
Training
To be successful in this role, you should have completed a bachelor's degree in accounting, finance, business administration, or a related field. Many candidates also hold or are working toward professional accounting designations such as CPA (Chartered Professional Accountant), CGA (Chartered General Accountant), or CA (Chartered Accountant). Experience with government costing methodologies, particularly activity-based costing and full-cost accounting, is highly valued.
Professional development opportunities include training in DND financial systems and costing tools, Treasury Board policies and directives, advanced financial analysis techniques, and supervisory and leadership skills. You may pursue specialized certifications in government accounting or costing through professional bodies recognized by the Government of Canada. DND also supports employees in maintaining their professional accounting designations through continuing education requirements.
Entry Plans
You can enter the Supervisor - Costing career through several pathways within the federal Public Service. The most common route is through advertised competitions for the Supervisor - Costing position, which may be open to external candidates or restricted to current public servants. You may also transition into this role as a promotion from a Costing Analyst or Costing Officer position if you have demonstrated strong performance, supervisory potential, and the required experience.
If you are a recent graduate or early-career professional, consider applying for entry-level Costing Officer or Costing Analyst positions to build experience in DND costing practices and government financial management. Some candidates move laterally from other financial management roles within DND or other federal departments. The Canadian Armed Forces also offers military officer pathways into financial management careers, with the possibility of transitioning to the civilian DND workforce. Networking with DND recruitment teams and monitoring the Public Service Commission (PSC) job board and DND careers website will keep you informed of current opportunities.
Part-Time Options
Part-time and flexible work arrangements may be available for this supervisory position, though availability depends on operational needs and departmental policy. Given the supervisory nature of the role, full-time commitment is typically expected to effectively manage and support your team. However, many DND offices have implemented flexible schedules, compressed work weeks, and results-based management approaches that allow for some flexibility in when and where work is completed.
Remote work options have expanded within the federal public service and may be available for portions of your work, particularly for individual analytical tasks, report writing, and virtual meetings. However, as a supervisor, you will need regular on-site presence to support your team, conduct performance reviews, and collaborate with colleagues in person. Discuss specific flexible work arrangements with your hiring manager during the recruitment process, as options vary by location and operational requirements. All flexible arrangements must align with Treasury Board policies and DND operational needs.
Related Careers
No related military careers on file for this position.
