Aimee Hirtle has always had strong Maritime roots and childhood connections even though she was born and raised in Alberta. Those connections have drawn her to Cumberland County as the municipality’s new director of finance.
Hirtle’s parents live in Sackville, N.B. and she remembers spending many summers vacationing in both Nova Scotia and New Brunswick.
When she saw the Municipality of Cumberland’s job listing on a website used by chartered professional accountants, she was quick to respond.
“I found out about the opportunity on the Nova Scotia CPA website. I’ve been coming here for about 15 years. Most of my family lives in the Halifax and Sackville, N.B. area, so the location was perfect and the job I thought would be a great challenge and a change,” said Hirtle, who started her new position earlier this month. “I wasn’t born a Maritimer, but I’m a Maritimer at heart.”
Hirtle replaces long-time director of finance Andrew MacDonald, who departed the municipality for another opportunity last summer after more than 30 years of service. He was replaced on the interim by Deana Pike, the manager of financial services.
Hirtle is a CPA with 12 to 13 years of public accounting experience. Some of that included auditing, not-for-profits, municipalities, school boards and First Nations.
“I like the challenge presented by something new. I don’t like being bored and am always looking for new challenges,” she said.
Her most recent position was secretary-treasurer of the Aspen View Public Schools in Athabasca, Alta. She has also served as the corporate treasurer for the Holy Family Regional Division in Peace River, Alta. and did a term position in Amherst with McIsaac Darragh in 2016.
Although she has only been on the job a short time, Hirtle is fitting in well with her new team in the municipality’s finance department. This has allowed her to sort of hit the ground running as the municipality prepares for its 2023-24 budget process and the annual audit.
“I can’t say enough about the people I work with. They’re so professional and have really helped me with the transition,” Hirtle said. “Everybody is great to work with an my finance team seems to work hard and get things done.”
Hirtle is presently living in nearby Sackville, N.B. and recently purchased a home near Amherst. Away from the office, she said she’s a huge sports fan, admitting to staying up late recently to watch Super Bowl LVII and being a big supporter of both the Edmonton Oilers and Toronto Maple Leafs. She is also a dog lover which keeps her more than busy.
“We’re very pleased to be able to recruit someone with Aimee’s public sector accounting and management experience,” Municipality of Cumberland CAO Greg Herrett said. “She has fit in well and is already an important part of our senior management team. I’m happy to welcome her to our group.”