Finance Service Partner

Competition 1559

This competition will be used to fill multiple positions.

This position is a part of the Association of the Academic Staff of the University of Alberta (AASUA).

In accordance with the Administrative and Professional Officer Agreement, this full-time continuing position offers a comprehensive benefits package found on our Benefits Overview page and an annual salary range of $67,159 - $111,927.

Location - This role is hybrid with a mix of remote and in-person. Work primarily takes place at North Campus Edmonton.

Working for the University of Alberta

The University of Alberta acknowledges that we are located on Treaty 6 territory, and respects the histories, languages and cultures of First Nations, Métis, Inuit and all First Peoples of Canada, whose presence continues to enrich our vibrant community.

The University of Alberta is a community of knowledge seekers, change makers and world shapers who lead with purpose each and every day. We are home to over 14,000 faculty and staff, more than 40,000 students and a growing community of 300,000 alumni worldwide.

Your work will have a meaningful influence on a fascinating cross-section of people — from our students and community members, to our renowned researchers and innovators, making discoveries and generating solutions that make the world healthier, safer, stronger and more just. Learn more.

Position 

Are you an ambitious, collaborative and service-focused professional who loves to work in a dynamic and challenging environment? Someone who is excited by change and new challenges? Reporting to a Senior Finance Partner, the Finance Partners are responsible for the delivery of strategic financial solutions and advice to the leaders, faculty and staff within their client portfolios across the faculties and service units.

As a Finance Partner, you will act as a strategic professional advisor to the dean, faculty general manager, or other senior leaders such as the Associate Vice President within your portfolio. You will collaborate with your fellow service partners, the Centres of Expertise (COEs) within Finance, Procurement & Planning and the Shared Services Centre to foster collaborative relationships, leading and delivering on strategic initiatives while managing a large breadth of client services.

Duties 

• Provide professional-level financial advice to general managers, directors, managers, and supervisors on financial matters including interpretation of University financial policies and procedures
• Participate in the strategic planning process in the assigned area(s)
• Provide training on financial policies, procedures, and processes
• Monitor key financial data and analytics for assigned areas and alert the Senior Partner (Finance) of potential issues
• Develop regular financial reporting and ad hoc reporting to assist senior management in the strategic decision-making process; financial reporting to include high-level variance analysis and forecasting to highlight issues
• Work with academic leadership to set the financial plan and budget for the area
• Coordinate the annual budget planning and allocation process for assigned area(s) ensuring alignment with short-term and long-term priorities
• Support the preparation of budgeting assumptions, targets, contingency plans and risk mitigation
• Coordinate the area’s year-end processes including accurate accruals, performance of variance analysis and maintenance of appropriate documentation and audit trail
• Oversee the daily workflow of financial transactions and processes
• Maintain productive relationships with colleagues in the Service Centre/Processing Hub, Finance Centres of Expertise, and across the Partnership team including continuous collaboration with the Senior Finance Partners
• Develop processes and internal controls for the area(s), based on University-wide practices, to ensure that all financial transactions are subject to appropriate review and oversight
• Provide cost estimates for new activities or changes to programs or services
• Work closely with the Finance Centres of Expertise to ensure consistency and implementation of organizational initiatives
• Financial reporting for external sponsors for grants
• Ad hoc reporting as required

Qualifications

• Degree in business or related field with a professional accounting designation (CA, CMA, CGA, CPA). Equivalent combinations of education and experience will be considered
• 3-5 years of related experience
• Strong analytical, problem-solving and critical thinking skills
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Self-motivated with the ability to work both independently as well as play a role within a cohesive team of professionals
• Extensive knowledge of financial reporting and budgeting especially as it pertains to financial performance measurement
• Ability to perform financial functions within an organization subject to various internal and external policies, procedures and regulations
• Ability to communicate fluently in French would be considered an asset
• Experience in building financial models would be considered an asset
• Experience in project cost analysis would be considered an asset