Senior Financial Analyst, Research Accounting

Position Overview

The Department of Research Accounting in Finance is currently seeking a Full-time Regular Senior Financial Analyst.

Research Accounting, a unit within the Finance portfolio, is responsible for the post-award financial administration of research and non-research funds at the University.  

The Senior Financial Analyst, Research Accounting reports to the Associate Director, Research Accounting. The Senior Financial Analyst plays an important role in the delivery of Research Accounting support to stakeholders across campus.  This position is expected to deal with shifting priorities and operate in a highly complex environment with multiple and competing deadlines.  The incumbent must be able to act independently and solve complex business issues while demonstrating flexibility and strong financial analysis skills and be able to communicate effectively with all levels of the institution and with external stakeholders. 

There is a high impact of errors as inaccurate advice or information could have serious consequences to customers and/or the reputation of the University.  This position will coach, mentor and provide technical accounting and finance guidance to other Research Accounting staff and has significant interaction with both internal and external stakeholders.  Professional judgment in reviewing own work and the work of team members is required.

Position Description

Summary of Key Responsibilities (job functions include but are not limited to):

• Provide strategic decision support for Research Accounting Management.  Develop proposals, business cases and analysis for new initiatives, analyze current operations/processes and provide recommendations to enable identification of opportunities and challenges to ensure future success.
• Manage month-end and year-end working papers, schedules, reconciliations and required statements, including reconciliation of general ledger and projects.
• Work with project holders on analyzing financial results, completing accurate and insightful forecasts, variance and scenario analysis for their projects.
• Develop documentation and financial reports for the various audits, reconciliations and special projects (working papers, activity summaries, project testing, variance and comparative analysis).  
• Provide accurate and timely completion of special assignments and projects, including reports on findings, financial analysis and reporting, and including recommendations and outcomes. Forecast project spending and conduct variance analysis as required.
• Recommend changes to procedures, process and reporting activities, which may include advising and/or leading project teams established to evaluate and implement improvements.  Evaluate and recommend changes to internal controls, and ensure process documentation are current.
• Remain current on factors that would initiate change, such as University policies and procedures, granting agency regulations, research and trust administration practices and technology changes.
• Provide advice and guidance and respond to requests for information from both internal and external users.
• Provide support to Management with planning and directing the operational work of team members.
• Development and training of team members as required, ensuring team members are well trained, competent and supported in their work.
• Ability to initiate, implement and support new or modified approaches, practices and processes in the organization.
• Proactively develop and maintain trustworthy, productive, problem-solving working relationships with senior administration, colleagues, staff, line managers and external consultants so that expert opinions and advice are sought where appropriate and considered reliable
• Communications are timely, informative, confidential and appropriately tailored to the level of the end user.

Qualifications / Requirements:

• Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA) Canada designation (CPA, CA, CMA or CGA) and a related University degree in business, finance, accounting or related field. Individuals in the CPA Canada PEP program may be considered. 
• Extensive work experience in various accounting and finance functions including budgeting and financial analysis (7 + years).
• Supervisory experience and the proven ability to manage small teams and provide direction and leadership to staff.
• Proficient user of computer software applications, including large integrated enterprise resource planning systems, data warehousing and business intelligence tools.
• Consistent demonstration of the following skills:
  • Ability to coach and support others
  • Innovative and creative thinking
  • Effective communication 
  • Strong presentation and facilitation skills 
  • Strategic and critical thinking 
  • Sound judgment and decision making 
• Ability to exercise influence and support change

Application Deadline:  February 17, 2023

We would like to thank all applicants in advance for submitting their resumes. Please note, only those candidates chosen to continue on through the selection process will be contacted.

Additional Information

This position is classified in the Professional Career Band, Level 3 of the Management and Professional Staff Career Framework. 

To find out more about management and staff opportunities at the University of Calgary and all we have to offer, view our Management and Staff Careers website.

About the University of Calgary

The University of Calgary is Canada’s leading next-generation university – a living, growing and youthful institution that embraces change and opportunity with a can-do attitude. Located in the nation’s most enterprising city, the university is making tremendous progress on its Eyes High journey to be recognized as one of Canada’s top five research universities, grounded in innovative learning and teaching and fully integrated with the community it both serves and leads. The University of Calgary inspires and supports discovery, creativity and innovation across all disciplines. For more information, visit ucalgary.ca.

The University of Calgary has launched an institution-wide Indigenous Strategy in line with the foundational goals of Eyes High, committing to creating a rich, vibrant, and culturally competent campus that welcomes and supports Indigenous Peoples, encourages Indigenous community partnerships, is inclusive of Indigenous perspectives in all that we do.

The University of Calgary recognizes that a diverse staff/faculty benefits and enriches the work, learning and research experiences of the entire campus and greater community. We are committed to removing barriers that have been historically encountered by some people in our society. We strive to recruit individuals who will further enhance our diversity and will support their professional success while they are here. We encourage all qualified applicants to apply, however preference will be given to Canadian citizens and permanent residents of Canada.