Research Financial Analyst

Location

Waterloo, ON | Canada

Job description

Date: Mar 6, 2024

Location: Waterloo, CA

Company: Wilfrid Laurier University

Department: Finance

Job Type: Limited Term

Full-time/Part-time: Full Time (>=1249 hrs/year)

Campus: Waterloo

Reports to: Manager, Research Finance

Employee Group: WLUSA

Application Deadline: March 20, 2024

Requisition ID: 7224

Wilfrid Laurier University is a leading multi-campus university that excels at educating with purpose. Through its exceptional employees, students, researchers, leaders, and educators, Laurier has built a reputation as a world-class institution known for its rich student experience, academic excellence, and global impact. With a commitment to Indigenization and commitment to equity, diversity, inclusion, Laurier’s thriving community has a place for everyone.

Laurier has more than 19,000 students and 2,100 faculty and staff across campuses in Waterloo and Brantford, as well locations in Kitchener and Milton. The university is committed to providing an inclusive workplace, a flexible work policy and employing a workforce that is reflective of local and national demographics. Our locations are situated on the traditional territories of the Neutral, Anishnawbe, and Haudenosaunee peoples. We recognize the unique heritages of Indigenous peoples and support their intentions to preserve and express their distinctive Indigenous cultures, histories, and knowledge through academic programming and co-curricular activities. Laurier’s Centre for Indigegogy is one example of how Laurier honours Indigenous knowledge.

Position Summary

The Financial Analyst, Research is responsible for performing a variety of complex financial reporting duties related to managing the research funding held in trust by the University. The funding is from external agencies, foundations, research institutes, private sector companies and donations.

As a designated financial expert assigned to several researchers, the role is accountable for the financial management of research funds for the research project’s life cycle from set-up through to closeout. This includes financial reporting and analysis, forecasting, expenditure monitoring, compliance oversight, and cash flow management. The incumbent is required to work independently and function with a high level of accuracy, confidentiality, judgement and efficiency, referring only unusual issues to management. The incumbent provides functional guidance to staff members and assists in monitoring and reviewing their work. The incumbent liaises with internal colleagues and external contacts to share information and resolve issues pertaining to research projects.

This position has a university-wide mandate and is based at the Waterloo campus. The incumbent provides subject matter expertise to all campuses, requiring regular interpersonal interactions and collaboration with departments at the Waterloo Campus, the Kitchener Campus, the Brantford Campus, and external partners. Special attention is given to ensure equitable service delivery across all locations.

Accountabilities

Financial Management & Reporting

• Perform routine to complex financial and accounting duties, including processing and approving financial transactions, ensuring accuracy and integrity of related data in the financial system, completing budget-to-actual expense analyses and reconciliations, and preparing financial reports and forecasts for submission to funding agencies;
• Review and interpret funding agreements’ terms and conditions to ensure eligibility of financial transactions and overall compliance;
• Prepare invoices to funding agencies and monitor aging to ensure accounts are collectible;
• Prepare inter-institutional transfer and/or invoicing agreements, ensuring compliant with funding agencies’ guidelines.

Advising

• Apply accounting knowledge to make recommendations to researchers regarding best means to handle unusual or unique situations;
• Determine requirements to ensure optimal client service delivery to the research community, providing appropriate guidance and advice to the research community on financial systems, university and/or granting agency policies and procedures.

Analyzing

• Make independent decisions on best alternatives or solutions to a given problem, taking into consideration the risks and benefits of each;
• Monitor project spending, end dates and reporting deadlines and notify researchers of approaching deadlines

Training

• Advise and train researchers and others on financial matters, funding agencies’ guidelines, financial terminology, standard accounting practices and Laurier financial systems and expense forms.

Other

• Provide functional guidance to staff members, sharing knowledge of funding agencies’ terms, conditions and guidelines and eligibility of expenditures;
• Provide research compliance oversight;
• Make recommendations for changes and improvements, understanding risk and impact to the department or university.

Qualifications

• University degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration or related field
• CPA Designation or working towards considered an asset
• Minimum of 5 years’ related experience, preferably in a large organization or university
• Advanced spreadsheet skills (Excel) and knowledge of other MS Office products (Work and PowerPoint) and ERP systems
• Exceptional attention to detail and accuracy while managing a high volume of work to meet deadlines
• Ability to continually manage multiple competing demands, priorities and deadlines in a demanding environment
• Sound judgement and sharp problem-solving and analytical skills to identify issues and seek creative solutions
• Client service focused, with an aptitude to develop positive working relationships with stakeholders
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills to interact professionally with individuals at all levels, internal and external to the University
• Self-starter with the ability to work independently as well as in a team-oriented, service driven environment
• Sound knowledge of internal controls and auditing principles
• Appreciation for research in an educational environment and an understanding of its complexities and challenges

This position has been deemed eligible for educational equivalencies. Please refer to the attached link for details.

Hours of Work

This is a full time limited term position with an expected end date of 02/05/2025. The normal hours of work are 8:30 am to 4:30 pm, Monday to Friday. Flexibility in hours will be required, including evening and/or weekend work due to the Tri-Agency financial reporting deadline each Spring. When possible, the manager will adjust the work schedule so that no more than 35 hours are worked in a week.

Compensation

$39.89 per hour to $42.17 per hour with an annual step progression on anniversary date up to $45.59 per hour.

Considerations for new hire step placements include, qualifications and length/depth of required experience, relevant market rates for similar jobs, internal equity, and estimated learning curve in starting the job.

Wilfrid Laurier University endeavors to fill positions with qualified candidates who have a combination of education, experience, skills and abilities to successfully perform the duties of the position while demonstrating Laurier's Employee Success Factors.

Equity, diversity and creating a culture of inclusion are part of Laurier’s core values and central to the Laurier Strategy. Laurier is committed to increasing the diversity of faculty and staff and welcomes applications from candidates who identify as Indigenous, racialized, having disabilities, and from persons of any minority sexual and gender identities. Indigenous candidates who would like to learn more about equity and inclusive programing at Laurier are welcomed to contact the Office of Indigenous Initiatives. Candidates from other equity deserving groups who would like to learn more about equity and inclusive programing at Laurier are welcomed to contact Equity & Accessibility. We have strived to make our application process accessible, however if you require any assistance applying for a position or would like this job posting in an alternative format, please contact Human Resources. Contact information can be found at careers.wlu.ca/content/How-to-apply/

Should you be interested in learning more about this opportunity, please visit for additional information and the online application system. All applications must be submitted online. Please note, a resume and cover letter will be required in electronic form.

Job tags

Salary

$42.17 per hour