Research Finance Coordinator

Location

Waterloo, ON | Canada

Job description

Term: 16 Months

The Research Finance Coordinator is responsible for all research and administrative activities for an assigned group of faculty members and their research groups, within the Institute for Quantum Computing. They manage the operating and research accounting of assigned faculty members and ensure compliance with university and granting agency policies and procedures, provide guidance and reporting to reduce the liability to the department and the university by proactive financial management of research funding. The grants and contracts include federal and provincial government agencies as well as national and international industry partners. The Research Finance Coordinator understands the constraints of specific granting programs and forecasts and provides recommendations to maximize the use and leverage of the research funding.

Financial Administration

• Responsible for the financial administration of all operating and research grants for assigned faculty members in accordance with relevant university policies, granting agency guidelines and negotiated industry agreements
• Responsible for data analysis and custom financial reporting as required by the funding agency or research partners
• Verify research project revenues are received and ensure that anticipated expenses will align with project budget
• Ensure all expenses are eligible and compliant with university and granting agency policies
• Assist research groups with understanding various financial reports, financial policies/procedures, terminology and standard accounting practices
• Process all invoices to accounts payable to be rerouted through university payment system
• Provide guidance to research groups on use of university financial and procurement systems
• Update, maintain and verify information in a variety of spreadsheets and databases

Support to Principal Investigators

• Assist faculty members with travel claims and FPER expenses within Concur
• Provide support to Principal Investigators concerning university and/or granting agency policies and procedures around eligibility of expenses
• Monitor, review and reconcile accounts monthly and advise PIs of discrepancies and anticipate any potential concerns
• Initiate and review procurement of research goods and services and ensure compliance with procurement policies and procedures including determination of independent contractor status
• Monitor spending on research projects and provide PIs with budget and financial information to enable them to manage their accounts
• Identity overspending and work with PI to resolve deficit by reallocating expenses and make recommendations regarding deficit resolution strategies
• Assist the Principal Investigator in the preparation of research budgets for major contracts and research grants
• Work with assigned faculty and research personnel on the preparation of research proposals including budget review
• Review purchase of equipment and supplies for research groups, including the sourcing and procurement of capitalized equipment and is compliant with Policy 17

Human Resources Administration

• Act as a liaison between assigned faculty members, the Institute, the Department and Human Resources on issues relating to research staff personnel
• Review research staff contracts, payments and salaries to ensure eligibility of expenses according to granting agency guidelines and requirements
• Hire co-op students, URAs and casual hires within WorkDay for research group
• Work with faculty members to hire contract staff as part of their research group
• Each term review Graduate Research Studentship (GRS) and Graduate Research Assistants (GRA) payments for available funds and timeliness
• Initiate salary changes for ongoing salary for research group members, as needed

Other Duties

• Proactively track activities and achievements for faculty members which are required for a wide range of reports
• Update faculty member group website, if required
• Update faculty member CV and Common CV for reporting and grant applications
• Stay up to date on changes in granting agency regulations, University policies and procedures
• Keep informed and attend training regarding new systems, tools and software
• Provide backup administrative support in peak times or during team member absences, as needed
• Work with Associate Director, Administration on other internal projects, as needed

• University degree, preferably in business and/or accounting, or equivalent combination of education and experience
• Working toward CPA designation is an asset
• 3+ years of related accounting experience including financial monitoring and analysis, preferably in a university environment
• Research finance experience working with grants/contract administration
• Experience in financial reporting and analysis, budgeting, forecasting and accounting
• An understanding of the academic environment, in particular research environment
• Advanced skills with Microsoft Excel and FileMaker
• High attention to detail with extreme accuracy is required
• Strong analytical, judgement and problem-solving skills
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, tact and diplomacy are required to provide professional advice on accounting and process issues
• Proven ability to manage a large volume of work, conflicting priorities and deadlines
• Demonstrated ability to work independently in a team environment and handle confidential information
• Sound knowledge of accounting principles and financial knowledge
• Experienced user of Apple computers and operating system
• Strong decision making and critical thinking skills and maturity of judgement
• Demonstrated ability to interpret policies, financial statements and apply guidelines and procedures
• Strong client-service orientation with a focus on providing exceptional customer service in a team environment
• Strong verbal and written communication skills
• Excellent organizational and time-management skills
• Demonstrated ability to handle confidential information with discretion and tact
• Ability to adapt to changing administrative and financial systems and software

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  [email protected] or 519-888-4567, ext. 45935.

Job tags

Salary