Senior Financial Analyst

Overview
Reporting to a designated Faculty Financial Officer ("FFO"), the Senior Financial Analyst ("SFA") ensures that financial activities in areas assigned to are properly accounted for, and applicable policies and procedures are effectively and consistently applied.
Working as a central resource in the Dean of Engineering Office, this role will be deployed at the discretion of the FFO. The incumbent has the context and expertise that ensures timeliness, accuracy, effectiveness, and compliance of financial operations in units (Departments/Schools) to which they are assigned. The FA provides the management team with information to support budget planning, financial management, monitoring, compliance, and strategic planning within the Faculty of Engineering. The incumbent acts as a resource to departmental administrative staff and the Faculty for financial transactions, policy interpretations, reporting and compliance.
Among SFA's duties, the incumbent is responsible for supporting large-scale research funding initiatives at the Faculty level (e.g. Innovation Fund projects funded by Canada Foundation for Innovation), supervising work done by Financial Coordinator(s), and facilitating financial reporting to sponsors.
Responsibilities
Financial management and internal control of research transactions within the Faculty of Engineering

• 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
• Responsible for supporting large-scale research funding initiatives at the Faculty level
• Meets regularly with the research administrative staff to support effective and consistent financial management and internal control and encourages the sharing of best practices throughout the Faculty of Engineering
• Works closely with members of Engineering Research Office, the Research Finance and Compliance Team within the Office of Research, Finance, Human Resources and other

Faculty Financial Officers to identify and address issues concerning compliance with University policies and sponsor agreements/guidelines

• Conducts internal audits to ensure research transactions follow the required policies and procedures
• As required, assists with financial transactions, previewing personal expense reimbursement claims or other transactional support during short term staffing gaps within Departments or other Faculty of Engineering support units
• 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 of Engineering
• Under the direction of the FFO, participates in periodic reviews and audits of financial procedures and transactions to ensure strong internal controls and efficient and effective financial accountability
• Under the direction of the FFO, identifies training and performance needs across the Faculty and coordinates, develops, and implements training initiatives for administrative staff
• Collects, analyzes data, and prepares reports related to the Faculty's operating activities (including, for example, research overhead income and allocation)
• Monitors and prepares reports for certain operating, endowment and trust funds within the Faculty, identifying issues and risks to the FFO
• Assists with monthly monitoring of financial reports for each academic and service unit, identifying potential issues and risks to the FFO
• Helps with routine and ad hoc assignments associated with the management and control of Faculty financial administrative processes and the related document flow
• Helps with routine and ad hoc assignments associated with data, information reporting and trending analyses
• Supports new initiatives in the areas of budget and finance

Financial administration, communication, and continuous support within the Faculty of Engineering

• Provides general administrative support to the FFO and the Executive Officer as directed
• Assists Dean of Engineering staff with understanding of and adherence to financial processes and policies
• Assists FFO to ensure that University accounting methodology and procedures are well understood across the Faculty and that these procedures are documented, 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 across the Faculty
• Serves as a resource to the Faculty staff and faculty members with queries related to the university financial systems (i.e. Concur, Unit4)
• Develops reports and statistics to identify where improvements are needed for financial compliance

Team management

• Oversee the work of Financial Coordinator(s) to support Faculty-level, large-scale research funding initiatives and any other work as assigned
• Provide the team with direction and support
• Perform ongoing review and annual performance appraisal of staff, identifying areas for improvement and further development
• Promote opportunities for training and professional development through goal setting and support
• Ensure appropriate cross-training is in place for all critical functions
• Contribute to a work environment that fosters, recognizes, and rewards supportive mentorship, professional quality, respectful communication, continuous improvement, and positive energy

Qualifications

• Undergraduate degree or equivalent related education/experience
• A recognized accounting designation (CPA) required
• 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 Senior Financial Analyst 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.