Financial Analyst

Competition 2123

This competition is restricted to internal applicants of the University of Alberta. Please log in to verify your internal candidate status. 

This competition will be used to fill multiple roles.

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

This position offers a comprehensive benefits package.

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

Working at 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 FirstPeoples 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.

Working for the Department of Finance, Procurement, and Planning 

Finance, Procurement, and Planning at the University of Alberta is responsible for financial reporting, resource planning, procurement, investments & treasury, and risk management & insurance. We also have a team of finance service partners who work closely with the faculties, units, and staff across the institution to provide excellent client service.

Position Summary

The Financial Analyst will play a key role in the Finance Partnership Network within Finance, Procurement and Planning in bridging the gap for research post-award administration, develop and implementation of standard reporting templates, generating financial data and building of reporting tools that will help support the finance partnership network in budgeting, forecasting and reporting.

The ideal candidate will assess processes, determine requirements, and deliver data-driven recommendations and reports to executives and stakeholders to achieve the goals of the department and division. In addition to day-to-day data entry support, journal entries and monthly reporting, this position will be responsible for account analysis and reconciliation, preparation and distribution of management reports and budgets while ensuring accuracy and consistency as well as making recommendations for improvement in financial reporting and providing guidance, advice and training to community members.

This position will ensure effective data and information management (collection, analysis and reporting),and is responsible for assessing requests, compiling statistical information, investigating, preparing reports and analyzing trend information.

Duties 

• Proactively anticipates policy and procedure-related financial administrative needs, designs and offers supports and resources to address ongoing and emerging needs.
• Acts expediently and with a service orientation to solve specific problems, drawing on a well-developed understanding of area needs, as well as university and research sponsor (i.e. external funding agencies) policy, procedure or processes.
• Collects and curates up-to-date information re:budget management and reporting, and end-of-project reporting and close-out.
• Supports and provides financial advice, reviewing accounts on a monthly basis via various tools (Financials -eTrac, Data Warehouse/Tableau, Peoplesoft).
• Prepares monthly, quarterly and year-end financial summaries.
• Assists in the compilation of financial information required for various reporting purposes for affiliated projects and department initiatives.
• Analysis of current and historical data to determine analytical trends to support management in strategic decision-making using initiative and senior-level experience to target appropriate areas for review and redress.
• Complete preparation of monthly and year-end financial statement workbooks for regular reporting, forecasting and variance analysis.
• Complete ad-hoc reporting as required for the year-end audit or as requested.
• Create metrics that can be utilized across the university to support financial decision-making.
• Participate and support in the rollout of new processes, protocols and reporting templates.
• Supporting the annual budget and monthly forecasting process.
• Lead and participate in corporate and operational projects including process improvement projects, software upgrades etc.
• Lead monthly operational touchpoints with the Senior Finance Partner and Director to help maintain communication and accurate financial information.
• Determine and implement recommendations around the design and delivery of standardized financial reports, analytics practices and data management improvements.
• Develop predictive analytics and forecasting models on financial data.

Qualifications

• Undergraduate degree in a related discipline or post-secondary diploma with accounting and business coursework
• Minimum of three years of progressive experience in an office setting with finance/administration focus, including process development and data modelling and analysis experience
• Computer proficiency using Microsoft Office applications and Google Suite
• Knowledge of Peoplesoft (Financial) applications and University of Alberta policies and procedures is an asset
• Excellent communication (oral and written) and interpersonal skills required
• Strong ability to think analytically and with an aptitude for problem-solving
• Ability to work on multiple tasks at one time while maintaining high-quality standards
• Effective deadline and project management skills to balance competing priorities
• High motivation to work in as a team player in a collaborative and evolving environment, as well as independently