DepartmentAbout us:

Established in 1967, the University of Toronto Mississauga is the second-largest division of U of T (Canada’s largest university), numbering 14,000 undergraduate students, 682 graduate students, over 2,500 full- and part-time employees (including 857 permanent faculty and staff) as well as over 54,000 alumni.

The campus is situated on 225 acres of protected greenbelt along the Credit River, 33 kilometers west of the University’s St. George campus in Toronto.

U of T Mississauga has 17 distinct academic departments, 156 programs and 92 areas of study, and includes the Institute for Management & Innovation and Centre for South Asian Civilizations. The Mississauga Academy of Medicine is located on campus in the Terrence Donnelly Health Sciences Complex.


Your opportunity:

The Financial & Budget Services department is recruiting a Senior Research Accountant who will lead and cultivate an environment that supports research success by leading the financial administration of CFI awards for the UTM community.

The Senior Research Accountant is responsible for financial planning, financial reporting, compliance, and management of complex research projects. These responsibilities include problem-solving, preparation of internal and external financial statements and reports, and the management of relationships and requirements of internal and external stakeholders. In addition, the incumbent is responsible for ensuring adherence to and compliance with financial guidelines and requirements as specified by sponsors and/or University policies. The Senior Research Accountant will develop and implement new financial and non-financial processes in conjunction with appropriate stakeholders to support the standardization and effectiveness of business processes for the administration of CFI awards.

This role provides support to Principal Investigators (PIs) through workshops, project management planning, and proposal and budget development for CFI awards. This includes providing consultation services to PIs at the outset of research projects to tailor a project management plan, develop budgets for competitive research proposals for grants and prepare complex reports involving statistical and/or financial information for funding agencies.

This position will work closely with the VP, Research Office, central Research Services Office, Facilities Planning & Management, and Procurement Services to develop relationships and create efficiencies to support research activity at UTM. This position reports directly to the Director, Academic Finance.


Your responsibilities will include:

• Analyzing complex statistical reports and/or financial information for management decision-making
• Conducting detailed analysis of grant application policy to maximize research funding
• Disseminating information regarding research funding programs and opportunities to the research community
• Developing, revising and operationalizing processes that support research activities and objectives
• Keeping well-informed on research funding programs, application guidelines, policies/procedures and regulations
• Analyzing actual expenditures in comparison to budget and preparing reports for financial planning and funding terms compliance
• Interpreting and applying policies to independently determine if sponsor terms comply with applicable regulations
• Advising academic and administrative staff on financial matters and reporting requirements

CampusEssential Qualifications:

• Completion of an undergraduate degree in commerce, business or a related field with a specialization in accounting or an equivalent combination of education and experience. Completion of courses in the following subjects: advanced management accounting, advanced financial accounting, statistics, business finance, Canadian income taxation, advanced auditing and internal controls. Accounting designation (CGA, CMA, CPA or CA) required.
  
• A minimum of five years related experience providing financial administration support, facilitation and administrations of grant/contract project budgets. Must have five years of experience in a senior level accounting and financial management position.
• A minimum of three years of experience in leading financial administration of CFI awards, including proposal and budget development, developing costing methodologies for renovations consistent with CFI regulations, preparing financial reports (quarterly, semi-annual, annual, award finalization, etc.), preparing information for amendments, and developing strategies to resolve any surplus or deficit in accordance with sponsor guidelines.
• Experience in developing and managing complex project budgets of significant dollar value ($1M+).
• Experience in and knowledge of auditing practices and procedures, including developing and implementing risk management strategies and internal controls. Proven record of successfully managing audits.
• Experience in complex budgeting and financial analysis, financial reporting including experience in preparing financial statements, forecasting, developing long-range plans, and profitability/cost-benefit analysis. Experience in reconciling financial information, generating financial reports from a financial system and process improvements.
• Demonstrated ability to apply accounting and budgeting knowledge to effectively resolve financial issues, customer service issues, improve processes, analyze financial information and identify pertinent issues, and ability to communicate financial information to individuals with little financial knowledge/experience.
• Demonstrated ability to design financial reports and present information which clearly conveys a solid understanding of accruals, accounts payable, reconciliation of accounts, transfers, variance analysis, overhead allocation, budgeting, forecasting fixed and variable costs, internal recoveries, statistical analysis, internal controls, audit procedures, trails, testing results, governance, HST, financing and cash flows.
• Experience in developing and continuously updating process narratives, process maps, process documentation, training guides, reference material, and templates.
• Proven ability to work within a framework of multiple principles and guidelines and to apply professional judgment in situations in which clear direction is unavailable and/or interpretation is required.
• Demonstrated high degree of aptitude for critical thinking coupled with strong analytical and problem-solving skills and proficiency in written and oral communication.
• Demonstrated superior interpersonal skills and the ability to work collaboratively, build consensus, maintain confidentiality, exhibit sensitivity to the needs and interests of a variety of stakeholders, and support the functioning of a diverse project team. Demonstrated ability to thrive in and contribute to an integrated and collaborative team environment and to apply a positive team approach to working with colleagues.
• Strong organizational skills coupled with the ability to handle multiple tasks, meet deadlines, and excel in a fast-paced environment characterized by changing priorities.
• Working knowledge of research granting agencies and their programs is preferred.
• Advanced skill level using Microsoft Office suite.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.

To be successful in this role you will be:

• Accountable
• Efficient
• Goal oriented
• Multi-tasker
• Proactive
• Problem solver
• Self-directed
• Team player

Department: UTM: Financial Services & Budget
Campus: Mississauga
Schedule: Full-time
Job Field: Finance / Budget / Planning / Audit
Job Posting: Jan 8, 2019
Job Closing: Jan 25, 2019, 11:59:00 PM