Senior Financial Analyst at University of British Columbia in UBC Vancouver Campus - Vancouver, BC, Canada

Job description

• The Senior Financial Analyst, Capital Financial Reporting (CFR) is responsible overseeing the processes for capital budgeting, forecasting and analysis for the purpose of enhancing management reporting and decision making. The complexity of this position is driven by the numerous types of capital spend and funding activities across the university, thus an excellent understanding of public sector financial reporting is critical.
• An important component of this position is to support the financial reporting and audits of large- and small-scale capital projects with a current value of over $1 billion. The Senior Financial Analyst is responsible for providing accurate information and representation of capital projects, including detailed analysis to ensure funding and expenditures align to the Board of Governors approved budgets and compliance with restrictions attached to the funding where required.
• The position will also ensure the accuracy of financial statements, developing capital reports and complex financial models for use in critical decision making.
• The Senior Financial Analyst consults senior level management to develop and implement new policies and continuously review procedures to enable effective financial management, reporting and business processes throughout the portfolio.
• The Senior Financial Analyst reports to the Manager, CFR. and drives the reporting and operational initiatives of UBC’s Financial Reporting function in collaboration with internal and external departments including the Comptroller’s office, Infrastructure Development, Financial Operations, Treasury, the Provincial government and external auditors.

Responsibilities

• Manages project life cycle reporting within Workday, and provides business support to the various programs by applying technical expertise, process management and business acumen
• Engages stakeholders at all levels across the University to ensure adherence to capital polices and accurate reporting of capital projects within Board approved budget
• Promotes the understanding of financial reports and processes to develop awareness of the impact of decisions on financial results. Shares this information through training across the campus community
• Liaises with external stakeholders including Provincial government, other universities and related parties
• Provides support for the long-term capital and infrastructure planning, budgeting, forecasting and financial strategy
• Provides expert advice, guidance and direction in preparation and analysis of financial statements, capital budget and forecasts. This information is relied upon by Financial Reporting and other internal stakeholders
• Compiles, reviews and approves working papers prepared by other members of the team, including junior and clerical staff, for year-end audit and interim testing on a timely basis
• Coordinates the monthly, quarterly and annual capital related financial statements and management reporting process. Ensures reports are prepared accurately and within reporting deadlines
• Communicates key financial issues to the Finance Manager, CFR and senior management in a timely manner to support strategic and operational decisions
• Prepares financial statements and note disclosures, supporting schedules, analyses and reconciliations related to capital projects in order to support the University’s statutory financial reporting requirements
• Researches and prepares accounting treatment memo on complex accounting issues. Provides recommendation on changes required arising from regulatory requirements of GAAP (Public Sector Accounting Standards or IFRS)
• Working with the CFMR and Financial Reporting teams, recommends improvement to existing processes to increase efficiency and accelerate the monthly/quarterly/annual close period
• Monitors and evaluates internal controls for weaknesses and improvements with a focus on the University’s restricted funds
• Plays a critical role in leading and contributing to certain aspects of business or system process reengineering for current and new system projects and strategic initiatives as required
• Implements process improvements and better tools to improve capital financial reporting within the Comptroller function and with critical stakeholders across UBC that require financial reporting data

Requirements

• Undergraduate degree in a relevant discipline. Completion of the CPA accounting program (CA, CGA or CMA). Minimum of seven (7) years of related experience, or the equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Willingness to respect diverse perspectives, including perspectives in conflict with one’s own
• Demonstrates a commitment to enhancing one’s own awareness, knowledge, and skills related to equity, diversity, and inclusion
• Experience working within Public Sector Accounting Standards (particularly in relation to capital projects) is an asset.
• Business acumen, understanding the strategic story and demonstrated ability to implement operational actions in a complex environment
• Seven (7) years’ experience in financial reporting and analysis, accounting, auditing, budgeting or financial planning responsibilities (preferably in a unionized environment in a large private organization or the public sector) is preferred. An equivalent combination of education and experience will be considered.
• Demonstrated ability to engage with senior levels of management and financial/non-financial personnel in an organization.
• Strong communication and inter-personal skills, especially when explaining complex concepts and processes to a diverse group of individuals, including non-finance staff members.
• Strong critical thinking and problem-solving skills along with the ability to exercise sound and rational judgment.
• Strong attention to detail and the demonstrated ability to multi-task, work well under pressure, and prioritize tasks to meet deadlines, especially during quarter-end, all while maintaining a high degree of accuracy and working with complex information.
• Public practice audit experience is an asset.

Skills

Preferred

• Business acumen
• Public practice audit experience