Financial Analyst - Faculty

Department: Finance

Job Type: Continuing

Full-time/Part-time: Full Time (>=1249 hrs/year)

Campus: Brantford

Reports to: Manager, Integrated Academic Financial Services

Employee Group: PAG

Application Deadline: October 15th, 2023

Requisition ID: 5443

Wilfrid Laurier University is a leading multi-campus university that excels at educating with purpose. Through its exceptional employees, students, researchers, leaders, and educators, Laurier has built a reputation as a world-class institution known for its rich student experience, academic excellence, and global impact. With a commitment to Indigenization and commitment to equity, diversity, inclusion, Laurier’s thriving community has a place for everyone.

Laurier has more than 19,000 students and 2,100 faculty and staff across campuses in Waterloo and Brantford, as well locations in Kitchener and Milton. The university is committed to providing an inclusive workplace, a flexible work policy and employing a workforce that is reflective of local and national demographics. Our locations are situated on the traditional territories of the Neutral, Anishnawbe, and Haudenosaunee peoples. We recognize the unique heritages of Indigenous peoples and support their intentions to preserve and express their distinctive Indigenous cultures, histories, and knowledge through academic programming and co-curricular activities. Laurier’s Centre for Indigegogy is one example of how Laurier honours Indigenous knowledge.

Position Summary

The incumbent’s primary responsibility is to be the lead financial support for the client groups that they support. The incumbent will provide effective financial and analytic support which will include monthly monitoring, timely reporting and analysis of the financial operations and budgets. The Financial Analyst makes recommendations on budget planning, financial strategies and deals with confidential financial information. The position reports directly to the Manager, Integrated Academic Financial Services with accountability to the client group management.

The incumbent acts as the key liaison between the client groups they support and Financial Resources. The Financial Analyst will ensure compliance with financial management policies and procedures as well as reviewing and monitoring business processes to ensure efficiency and effectiveness of operations. The incumbent will work closely with the Manager, Integrated Academic Financial Services, Manager, Financial Accounting (Brantford) and the Budget & Planning team to ensure consistency of service between the units and ensure use and development of financial management best practices. The Financial Analyst is the subject matter expert for the clients they support and may also provide financial support on university or departmental wide special projects

This position has a university-wide mandate and is based at the Brantford Campus. The incumbent provides subject matter expertise to all campuses, requiring regular interpersonal interactions and collaboration with departments at the Waterloo Campus, the Brantford Campus, the Toronto office and external partners. Special attention is given to ensure equitable service delivery across all locations.

Accountabilities

Budgeting & Planning

• Oversees and maintains financial models used for strategic planning purposes
• Coordinates and sets up fiscal year budgets and communicates details of the approved budgets to client groups
• Coordinates and prepares multi-year project budgets and forecasts
• Advised on all budget and financial planning matters, policies/procedures, and accounting practices

Client Service

• Serves as the primary Financial Resources point of contact with the Faculty client groups
• Supports month-end/year-end completion as coordinated by Financial Services
• Advises client groups on financial matters, policies/procedures, financial terminology, and standard accounting practices
• Advises on budget methodologies and budget terminology
• Advises client group management on all important budget and financial planning matters in a timely manner
• Provides ad hoc training on an individual basis as requested
• Provides training to client groups supported on the review of financial reports, accounting principles and university financial policies

Reporting & Analysis

• Develops and maintains a variety of internal reports on an on-going basis; creates reports and works with management to develop financial forecasts to meet operational and strategic planning requirements (short and long term) for the department. The regularity of these reports may vary from monthly, quarterly to annually. Reports include but are not limited to:

• Budget to Actual report and forecasts
• Custom financial reports based on client needs

• Prepares advanced qualitative and quantitative analysis of budgets, forecasts, and actual results to assist in management decision making
• Collaborates with various units and individuals across the university to support effective reporting and analysis for internal and external audiences
• Prepares internal and external financial reports as required
• Assists client groups with understanding various financial reports and information

Operational Systems Management

• Leads and/or participates in financial working groups/committees/project analysis as required
• Collaborates within Financial Resources and Integrated Planning & Budgeting to ensure full utilization and consistency of financial systems, model, policies, and procedures
• Leads and/or participates in continuous improvement initiatives
• Ensures transactions are input into university finance systems to support timely financial internal and external reporting
• Processes budget transfers and journal entries as required

Qualifications

• A CPA designation is required.
• Minimum 3 years of experience in a similar role.
• Knowledge and experience in financial modelling and data analysis.
• Advanced spreadsheet skills (Excel), and knowledge of other MS office products (Word, PowerPoint) and ERP systems.
• Knowledge of Millennium, Banner, Cognos is an asset.
• Self-motivated, goal-orientated individual who is capable of working in a dynamic and challenging work environment
• Excellent communication, problem solving, time management, and interpersonal skills with a focus on providing exceptional customer service in a team environment.

Compensation

Position Grade: F

Rate of pay: $44.02 - $50.31

Hours of Work: The normal hours of work are 8:30 am to 4:30 pm, Monday to Friday.

Wilfrid Laurier University endeavors to fill positions with qualified candidates who have a combination of education, experience, skills and abilities to successfully perform the duties of the position while demonstrating Laurier's Employee Success Factors.

Equity, diversity and creating a culture of inclusion are part of Laurier’s core values and central to the Laurier Strategy. Laurier is committed to increasing the diversity of faculty and staff and welcomes applications from candidates who identify as Indigenous, racialized, having disabilities, and from persons of any minority sexual and gender identities. Indigenous candidates who would like to learn more about equity and inclusive programing at Laurier are welcomed to contact the Office of Indigenous Initiatives. Candidates from other equity deserving groups who would like to learn more about equity and inclusive programing at Laurier are welcomed to contact Equity & Accessibility. We have strived to make our application process accessible, however if you require any assistance applying for a position or would like this job posting in an alternative format, please contact Human Resources. Contact information can be found at careers.wlu.ca/content/How-to-apply/

Should you be interested in learning more about this opportunity, please visit www.wlu.ca/careers for additional information and the online application system. All applications must be submitted online. Please note, a resume and cover letter will be required in electronic form.