There are seven corporate branches within the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) that support program delivery through the provision of corporate and common services. Representing the bulk of these services that support the effective running of the Agency, are the following three key branches:
Information Technology Branch (ITB): Maintains the Agency's IT systems and develops new IT-based system solutions.
Human Resources Branch (HRB): Oversees the management of the CRA workforce including collective bargaining, and training and development.
Finance and Administration Branch (FAB): Provides advice, products, and services in finance, security, administration and real property.
Additional corporate branches that serve the Agency include:
Strategy and Integration Branch (SIB): Reports to Parliament and provinces and territories, Federal, Provincial, and Territorial relations, supports informed internal decision making of CRA's operational and strategic agenda through Business Intelligence and statistics, as well as Cabinet Affairs, leads cross-cutting CRA projects and initiatives (such as innovation), and supports the Board of Management and Corporate Secretariat.
Public Affairs Branch (PAB): Provides public affairs oversight, advice, products, and services.
Legal Services: Assists the Minister, the Commissioner, the Board of Management, and CRA employees in making effective decisions that are legally correct, fair, and consistent across the CRA.
Audit, Evaluation, and Risk Branch (AERB): Provides independent and objective information, advice and assurance on the soundness of the CRA management framework and on the effectiveness, efficiency, and economy of its strategies, programs, and practices.
INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
The CRA is a highly e-enabled organization that has made significant investments in IT. It was one of the first government organizations to offer Canadians comprehensive digital services. This past year (2014-2015), over 80 percent of individuals filed their returns online and millions of individuals, businesses, and their representatives accessed services through the Agency's secure digital portals.
ITB RESPONSIBILITIES
Strengthening CRA's IT security in collaboration with Shared Services Canada (SSC) to protect CRA data and IT assets.
Supporting the operation, maintenance, and development of business and administrative systems of the Agency.
Provisioning of client computing and Corporate Administrative System services to the Canada Border Services Agency.
Supporting Government of Canada initiatives, such as the email transformation initiative, adoption of GCDocs, and the migration of CRA web sites to Canada.ca.
HUMAN RESOURCES
As a separate employer, the CRA has authority over the management of its human resources. Although the CRA is not bound by the Treasury Board Secretariat's HR policies, the Agency has maintained its ties to the core public service and is actively involved in government‑wide initiatives.
HRB RESPONSIBILITIES
Maintaining awareness and compliance with all sections of the Canada Revenue Agency Act and other federal statutes that have implications for employees and HR management.
Developing, refining, and negotiating various strategies, policies and plans pertaining to collective bargaining, terms and conditions of employment, and classification standards.
Providing strategic support to Agency senior management, ensuring that the necessary policies, procedures and practices are in place to allow them to fulfill their responsibilities.
Providing operational services for Agency managers and employees.
Finance and Administration
Effective resource management is key to the CRA's success in managing one of the Government of Canada's largest budgets. FAB supports the Agency by focusing on effective and efficient business models and continually striving to improve client services.
FAB RESPONSIBILITIES
Stewardship of the Agency's resources and accountability for the financial management of all revenues and expenditures generated by the Agency.
Continuously supporting and promoting the Agency's agenda on integrity and security by ensuring CRA's systems are designed to protect the information the Agency receives from individuals and businesses.
Being the corporate owner and investor in real property management and responsible for material management. As accommodation is one of the CRA's largest expenses, space optimization continues to be a CRA priority.
