BPAA Seeks Bookkeeper/Administrative Assistant

The Book Publishers Association of Alberta is recruiting a qualified individual to fulfill the role of Bookkeeper/Administrative Assistant in our Edmonton office. We are seeking a candidate with significant work experience who can dig in, get things done, and be part of a small group of people with a tenacious commitment to the success of book publishing in Alberta.

Who We Are

The BPAA was founded in 1975 to support the development of a thriving provincial publishing industry. Today one of the strongest communities of regional publishers in North America, the BPAA counts 30 member companies, many of which are owned and operated in Alberta. Our members publish books by local, national, and international authors and provide significant cultural and economic benefits to this province. They work with writers, printers, artists, and other creative people to produce high quality books that are sold in Alberta and throughout the world.

The BPAA employs four full-time staff and works with several part-time contractors who support the delivery of our programs and projects. Our office hours are 9:00 AM-4:30 PM MT Monday-Friday, excluding statutory holidays. Staff are currently working remotely Monday and Friday, with in-person office hours Tuesday-Thursday. 

Job Description

The Bookkeeper/Administrative Assistant is responsible for the bookkeeping of the association and provides administrative support for multiple ongoing and ad-hoc projects. The Bookkeeper/Administrative Assistant reports to the Project Manager. 

Duties and Responsibilities

Duties and responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

Financial management (~40%)

  • Ensure financial reporting for all BPAA projects is accurate and up-to-date.
  • Perform daily, weekly and annual bookkeeping tasks.
  • Manage the payroll function for the BPAA.

Grant writing and reporting (~30%)

  • Prepare funding applications for grant deadlines throughout the year.
  • Prepare reports for funding agencies, ensuring BPAA’s reporting commitments are up-to-date.
  • Assist with financial planning/reporting for all grant applications and reports.

Board and committee support (~20%)

  • Liaise with committee chairs to schedule meetings and prepare advance materials for members.
  • Take accurate minutes for distribution to BPAA board of directors and committees.
  • Facilitate follow-up on meeting action items.
  • Generate financial reports for each board meeting.

Communications (~10%)

  • Assisting other staff in drafting and reviewing internal and external communication pieces, particularly as they relate to programs and projects.

This is a varied position, which involves all aspects of the BPAA’s programs and operations. Every day will be different, and you will work closely with the BPAA staff, member publishers, and project consultants. 

Who You Are

Education and Experience

  • Two-year diploma or degree
  • Minimum of 2 years in an office environment

Specialized Knowledge

  • Bookkeeping experience
  • Office management
  • Business communications
  • Project management

Skills

  • You have a meticulous eye for detail, strong numeracy skills, and experience developing and/or managing budgets.
  • You have a strong knowledge of bookkeeping principles and have experience working with Quickbooks or another bookkeeping platform.
  • You have successfully managed projects from start to finish, reliably organize your time to ensure deadlines are met, and can prioritize competing tasks.
  • You have excellent communication and interpersonal skills and are skilled at working independently and as part of a team in a hybrid working environment. 
  • You have experience writing grant applications and reports or are eager to learn and can apply your strong written communication skills to this area.
  • You are proficient in Microsoft Office, including Word, Excel and Outlook, and Google Suites. 

Physical Requirements

  • Must be able to lift and move boxes weighing 25 lbs.

Don’t meet all of the criteria we are looking for? We still want to hear from you. Please read on for details about how to apply and tell us how your experience would be a good fit for the role.

Compensation

The salary for this position is $45,000/year. We offer a comprehensive benefits package through the Book and Periodical Council, opportunities for professional development, and the option of hybrid work. Our friendly and collegial office is accessible and located on the second floor of the Percy Page Centre at 11759 Groat Road NW with free employee parking available. 

How to Apply

Please submit a cover letter and résumé in a single PDF document to mbishop@bookpublishers.ab.ca by 5:00 PM MT on March 28, 2024. Candidates may be asked to perform an administrative skills test. Interviews will be scheduled in early April, with a target start date of late April 2024. 

The BPAA is committed to building a diverse and inclusive workplace. We encourage applications from candidates who are members of underserved and underrepresented communities, including BIPOC, LGBTQ2+, people living with dis/ability, and others.

We thank all applicants for their interest. Only candidates selected for an interview will be contacted.

Download a PDF copy of the job posting.

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