Job Description

Staff - Non Union

Job Category M&P - AAPS

Job Profile AAPS Salaried - Accounting, Level A

Job Title Financial Analyst

Department Finance | Department of Chemistry | Faculty of Science

Compensation Range $5,622.33 - $8,081.00 CAD Monthly

The Compensation Range is the span between the minimum and maximum base salary for a position. The midpoint of the range is approximately halfway between the minimum and the maximum and represents an employee that possesses full job knowledge, qualifications and experience for the position. In the normal course, employees will be hired, transferred or promoted between the minimum and midpoint of the salary range for a job.

Posting End Date December 23, 2023

Note: Applications will be accepted until 11:59 PM on the day prior to the Posting End Date above.

Job End Date

This position is expected to be filled by promotion/reassignment and is included here to inform you of its vacancy at the University.

At UBC, we believe that attracting and sustaining a diverse workforce is key to the successful pursuit of excellence in research, innovation, and learning for all faculty, staff and students. Our commitment to employment equity helps achieve inclusion and fairness, brings rich diversity to UBC as a workplace, and creates the necessary conditions for a rewarding career.

Job Summary
The Financial Analyst is responsible for management of the Department\'s research grants and contracts of more than $10 million per year. This includes providing advice to principal investigators related to reporting, analysis, problem solving, database management and associated cost recoveries. Implements practices to improve the quality and efficiency of the Department\'s financial services, including related Department policies and procedures to improve the overall financial health of the Department.

Organizational Status
Reports to the Finance Manager. Works independently; receives direction from the Finance Manager on unusual situations or circumstances. The Financial Analyst provides financial advice to faculty and staff on the management of research grant and contract accounts; liaises with Financial Officers in UILO, Financial Operations, Office of Research Services, Research Finance, Accounts Payable, Procure to Pay, and other central University units. Communicates as required with outside funding agencies.

Work Performed

Research Grant Management

Analyses and summarizes research grant financial health for Principal Investigators (PIs).

Provides advice to faculty, staff, and finance support staff on university and granting agency policies and procedures; provides technical and resource support for finance staff and research-funded personnel on university policies and procedures;

Develops budgets for grant application preparation;

Problem-solves funding issues involving government agencies, industry groups, non-profit organizations, and donors;

Analyses and addresses variances material to the funding period and develops budget controls where needed;

Manages financial support staff to ensure grants are spent within the allowable time frame and appropriate cost recoveries are completed within the time frame of each grant; tracks, investigates errors and resolves discrepancies as required;

Finalizes interim financial statements and progress reports for PIs. The Department Head, Associate Head \xe2\x80\x93 Research, and Director, Finance & Operations may occasionally request financial reports;

Provides direction and clarification to researchers and staff on issues regarding grant management; uses judgement to recommend financial solutions to problems and questions;

Produces variance reports and advises Finance Manager of impending and/or potential problems/inconsistencies;

Provides input and advice for overall financial planning and assesses impact of surpluses/deficits and reviews variances; ensures cost effectiveness of expenditures;

Provides technical and resource support for finance staff on granting agency (e.g., NSERC, CFREF) and/or university policies and procedures.

Department-related activities and Operating Budget support

Investigates variances and resolves discrepancies; performs statistical analysis of research funding, costs, trends, central funding, and department expenditures;

Provides input and advice for overall financial planning and assesses impact of surpluses/deficits and reviews variances; works collaboratively with the Department\xe2\x80\x99s Finance Team on year-end requirements, overseeing transfers, providing reports, and reviewing variances;

Collaborates with inter-department units such as Research Finance, Office of Research Services, University-Industry Liaison Office, Accounts Payables, and Finance and Financial Operations;

Provides in-house training for financial processes and systems; advises faculty and staff on financial policies and procedures, funding guidelines, the UBC financial system (Workday) and purchasing policies;

Responsible for remaining abreast of new accounting procedures and legislation and reports any new procedures to the Finance Manager;

Provides advice to the Finance Manager related to the vendor services, major purchases/ negotiations to ensure cost recoveries.

Prepares ad-hoc reports and analyses as required.

Consequence of Error/Judgement
Work is expected to be at a high level of accuracy. Effective management of all financial processes is critical. Errors could affect the financial position of the department, the affiliated research units and individual faculty members, harming relationships with industrial partners and government funding organizations. Errors in judgment could have serious impact on the Finance Manager\xe2\x80\x99s ability to carry out their mission and function, and could result in negative impacts to the department and university\xe2\x80\x99s reputation. Failure to provide timely and accurate accounts reports would make it impossible to effectively manage the department. Work requires the utmost diplomacy and confidentiality.

Supervision Received
Works independently within broad goals and objectives developed in conjunction with the Finance Manager. Reports to the Chemistry Finance Manager.

Supervision Given
Supervises departmental financial support staff positions. Supervision may include oversight and direction of other research-funded financial roles dedicated to research programs of significant size, complexity, and/or reporting requirements.

Minimum Qualifications
Undergraduate degree in a relevant discipline. Completion of at least 7 of the 14 CPA academic prerequisites. Minimum of two years of related experience, or the equivalent combination of education and experience.
- Willingness to respect diverse perspectives, including perspectives in conflict with one\xe2\x80\x99s own

- Demonstrates a commitment to enhancing one\xe2\x80\x99s own awareness, knowledge, and skills related to equity, diversity, and inclusion

Preferred Qualifications

Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to interact tactfully with all levels within an organization, including faculty, researchers, students, and staff

Exceptional oral and written communication skills which allows for effective communication at all levels of the organization

Advanced knowledge of generally accepted accounting principles

Experience with enterprise financial systems, ideally including the University\xe2\x80\x99s Workday & Adaptive Planning

Experience and knowledge in budgeting, financial projections and financial reporting, procurement, and internal controls

Experience in financial analysis and reporting; including strategic and multi-year planning, forecasting, budgeting, oversight and report/grant proposal preparation

Demonstrated leadership experience is an asset. Must be a team player.

Superior problem solving, conceptual, planning and implementation skills

Demonstrated ability in analyzing business processes and providing recommendations and implementing change or improvement

Experience with change management and commitment to delivering results in a collaborative and collegial environment

Ability to exercise superior independent judgement and decision-making skills in the solution of financial problems

University of British Columbia