Faculty Financial Accountant

Overview
Term: 18 Months
Reporting to the Director, Faculty Financial Operations (DFFO), the Faculty Financial Accountant (FFA) ensures that financial activities in assigned units are properly accounted for, and applicable policies and procedures are effectively and consistently applied.
Working as a central resource in the Dean of Mathematics Office, this role will be deployed at the discretion of the DFFO. The incumbent has the context and expertise that ensures timeliness, accuracy, effectiveness, and compliance of financial operations in units to which they are assigned. The FFA provides unit management teams with information to support budget planning, financial management, teaching resource planning, monitoring, and compliance within the Faculty of Mathematics. The incumbent acts as a resource to departmental administrative staff on financial transactions, policy interpretations, reporting and compliance.
Responsibilities
Financial management and internal control of research transactions within the faculty

• Possesses a clear and current understanding of university policies and procedures and research related sponsor guidelines to ensure ongoing compliance and consistent understanding of university and funding agency requirements within the faculty
• Provides advice and support to research administrative staff, individual researchers and research groups and institutes regarding eligibility, management, and control of research funds, including information about their financial data and required reporting
• Meets regularly with the research administrative staff to support effective and consistent financial management and internal control and encourages the sharing of best practices
• Works closely with members of Math Research Office, the Research Finance and Compliance Team within the Office of Research, Finance, and Human Resources to identify and address issues concerning compliance with University policies and sponsor agreements/guidelines
• Assists with financial transactions, previewing personal expense reimbursement claims or other transactional support
• Conducts periodic monitoring and identifies to management potential issues relating to research accounts

Financial management and internal control of non-research transactions within the faculty

• Participates in periodic reviews and audits of financial procedures and transactions to ensure strong internal controls and efficient and effective financial accountability
• Identifies training and performance needs and coordinates, develops, and implements training initiatives for administrative staff
• Monitors and prepares reports for certain operating, endowment and trust funds identifying issues and risks
• Assists with monthly monitoring of financial reports for each assigned unit, identifying potential issues and risks
• Supports new initiatives in the areas of budget and finance

Financial administration, communication, and continuous support within the faculty

• Assists unit heads and administrative staff in assigned units with understanding of and adherence to financial processes and policies
• Assists unit heads and administrative staff in assigned units to ensure that University accounting methodology and procedures are well understood across the faculty and that these procedures are communicated and followed
• Keeps current on research-related eligibility, compliance and process matters and ensures that this information is shared efficiently and effectively with relevant stakeholders
• Serves as a resource to the staff and faculty members with queries related to the university financial systems (i.e. Concur, Unit4, Centre Suite)
• Develops reports and statistics to identify where improvements are needed for financial compliance

Qualifications

• Undergraduate degree or equivalent related education/experience, and a recognized accounting designation in Canada (CPA)
• 5+ years of progressive accounting experience
• Consistent track record in supporting a broader spectrum of accounting and finance functions
• Demonstrated extensive competencies in accounting and data management
• 3+ years of experience in higher education highly desirable
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills, and demonstrated organizational skills
• Excellent understanding of generally accepted accounting principles and practices as they relate to fund accounting and an in-depth knowledge of the accounting requirements and financial business of the University
• Working knowledge of tax issues (i.e. HST, taxable benefits, etc.) as related to specific activities
• Demonstrated adaptability and flexibility with respect to variations in scope of work, and schedule
• Strong analytical and interpersonal skills are required to provide professional advice on accounting and process issues within Faculty departments
• Ability to build excellent working relationships with key persons both inside and outside the Faculty
• The Faculty Financial Accountant must possess strong Microsoft Office experience: advanced MS Word and Excel, intermediate PowerPoint, Access, Outlook, as well as working experience with financial software and databases
• Knowledge about databases is considered an asset

Equity Statement
The University of Waterloo acknowledges that much of our work takes place on the traditional territory of the Neutral, Anishinaabeg and Haudenosaunee peoples. Our main campus is situated on the Haldimand Tract, the land granted to the Six Nations that includes six miles on each side of the Grand River. Our active work toward reconciliation takes place across our campuses through research, learning, teaching, and community building, and is co-ordinated within the Office of Indigenous Relations.
The University values the diverse and intersectional identities of its students, faculty, and staff. The University regards equity and diversity as an integral part of academic excellence and is committed to accessibility for all employees. The University of Waterloo seeks applicants who embrace our values of equity, anti-racism and inclusion. As such, we encourage applications from candidates who have been historically disadvantaged and marginalized, including applicants who identify as First Nations, Métis and/or Inuk (Inuit), Black, racialized, a person with a disability, women and/or 2SLGBTQ+.
All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however, Canadians and permanent residents will be given priority.
The University of Waterloo is committed to accessibility for persons with disabilities. If you have any application, interview, or workplace accommodation requests, please contact Human Resources at hrhelp@uwaterloo.ca or 519-888-4567, ext. 45935.