DIDSBURY - After a couple of months on the job, Amanda Riley is starting to settle into her new role as chief financial officer (CFO) for the Town of Didsbury.
For Riley, who grew up in Olds, taking the job in Didsbury meant returning to her roots.
Riley started with the town at the end of summer, taking over from Nita Barthomolow after she retired.
As CFO, Riley is mainly responsible for the town's budget and financial reporting.
"That includes quarterly reports to council," said Riley. "Obviously, just overseeing the financial information on a day-to-day basis. I am also in charge of the contracts here; negotiating contracts for different equipment. For example, the photocopiers that are coming up to the end of their term."
RIley said they are currently going through the budgeting process. The capital budget presentation is set for Nov. 20 at 6 p.m., while the operating budget presentation is scheduled for Dec. 6 at 4 p.m.
Both events are being held at the town office and are open to the public.
"The capital budget takes into account anything capital such as equipment, projects, like infrastructure projects," she said. "Operating budget are the expenditures to run the town on a day-to-day basis."
Riley explained that she works with each department manager to determine the budget for each respective budget.
"Of course, it has to be approved by council so that's where we involve council in these budget presentations," she said. "So they get their input in before it's approved."
Riley said ideally council would approve the budgets before the beginning of the next year.
"Ideally, it would be approved and in place by January 1, however, with the MGA they're also allowed to approve an interim operating budget," she said.
Before taking the job with the town Riley worked at a public accounting firm in Lethbridge as an auditor.
"I relocated back to the area," she said. "I was born and raised in Olds. So I moved back to be closer to family. This job was a great opportunity, so that played in our decision to move back."
After graduating from Olds High School Riley went to the University of Lethbridge where she earned her bachelor of management with a major in accounting.
"I then articled with a public accounting firm down there and got my CPA (certified public accountant) designation," she said.
School wasn't just about hitting the books for Riley. She was also a very strong rugby player for the university's women's team.
"Actually, the whole reason I went to the University of Lethbridge was because I was recruited to play rugby on an athletic scholarship," she said. "I played my five years of eligibility at the university, got my degree, then I started with KPMG, the public accounting firm."
Riley worked at KPMG for seven years before coming to Didsbury.
As for rugby, she started playing in Grade 10 after being recruited by the coach in the gym.
"I thought I'd give it a try," she said. "I started playing high school rugby, I then played for the Red Deer Titans; it's a rugby club. I played a little provincial rugby."
Riley was a co-captain for four of her five years at the University of Lethbridge. She said the team was very strong during her time there.
"We won the CIS National Championships three times in a row," she said.
Although she doesn't play rugby anymore, Riley said she learned a lot about working as a team.
"It's truly a team sport," she said. "You can't do it yourself; you're part of a team. That being said, it's also a very tactical sport. You have to be strategic and smart about how you play. You have to play to your teammates' strengths and abilities."
