Finance Analyst

Competition 1754

This position is a part of the Non-Academic Staff Association (NASA).

This position offers a comprehensive benefits package which can be viewed at: Faculty & Staff Benefits

Location - This role is hybrid with a mix of remote and in-person at Enterprise Square. 

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 teeming with change makers, community builders, and world shapers who lead with purpose each and every day. We are home to more than 40,000 students in 200+ undergraduate and 500+ graduate programs, over 13,000 faculty and staff, 260,000 alumni worldwide and have been recognized as one of Canada’s Greenest Employers for over a decade.

Your work will have a meaningful influence on a fascinating cross section of people—from our students and stakeholders, to our renowned researchers and innovators who are quite literally curing diseases, making discoveries and generating solutions that make the world healthier, safer, stronger, and more just.

Department Summary

The Research Administrative Services (RAS) is accountable for generating financial information from the source modules that is used by Financial Services to produce institutional level statements. RAS is responsible for producing the supplementary schedules that support our institutional financial statements. These responsibilities require RAS to ensure that the integrity of the information maintained and produced is of the highest quality and also supported by good business practices. This position plays a key role in ensuring that these standards are adhered to and will use a high degree of professional judgment when carrying out the position’s duties.

Position Summary

Reporting to the Manager, Research Finance, the Finance Analyst is responsible for a variety of the more complex financial management activities and functions in the administration of research funding at Research Administrative Services (RAS)

This position will liaise and provide support and guidance to sponsors, staff within other teams of RAS and the university community. This position is responsible for using professional judgement to ensure that University and sponsor procedures, guidelines and policies (which are consistent with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) are applied at all times. In this functionally-based service environment, the position is expected to act independently and in a team environment to ensure quick and efficient services are delivered both internally and externally.

Research awards have become increasingly complex to interpret and administer. This position must ensure that the stewardship requirements from the sponsors are being met. This position, in collaboration with the RAS team members, is responsible for ensuring that all financial obligations outlined in the awards are met and adhered to throughout the life of the award.

The Finance Analyst must possess strong accounting, analytical and communication skills, coupled with demonstrated technical skills (PeopleSoft, Excel, etc.). The Finance Analyst is expected to provide analyses, reports, and other financial deliverables within stringent time frames.

Duties

• Prepares, signs off and submits claims to sponsors in multiple currencies that reflect expenses incurred under research projects.
• Prepares, signs off and submits complex financial statements to sponsors requiring the application of consolidation principles, foreign currency translation, accrual accounting.
• Investigates and resolves financial discrepancies in the accounting records such as those related to: Budgets, Revenue, Billings/Accounts Receivable, Expenditures, Project Financial Statements.
• Administration and processing of subgrants.
• Assists with the monitoring, investigating and collecting past due accounts receivable items;
• Provides assistance with establishing financial requirements to staff who negotiate agreements.
• Reviews and interprets financial terms and conditions of funding awards to complete financial reporting requirements.
• Prepares and submits general ledger journal entries for approval.
• Applies internal policies and procedures to ensure proper recognition of revenue that will ultimately be reflected in the financial statements of the University.
• Identifies system related errors or issues and recommends solutions.
• Develops and implements updates to RAS training/development/presentations for the University community.
• Performs detailed analysis and closes research projects once all terms and conditions have been met.
• Assesses expenditures for eligibility and adherence to budget.
• Participates in User Acceptance Testing for systems development as required.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• Undergraduate degree in a related discipline or a business or accounting diploma combined with an accounting designation or current enrolment in a professional accounting program. An equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered.
• Minimum of two years financial experience in a research administration setting.
• Strong communication (oral and written), interpersonal, and organizational skills. 
• Superior time management skills; ability to provide timely and efficient service.
• High level of accuracy and attention to detail.
• Ability to make timely decisions and act on individual initiative. 
• Knowledge of research policies, procedures and guidelines for the major sponsors and the University of Alberta would be an asset.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office suite.
• Knowledge of PeopleSoft Financials would be an asset.