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Job Requisition ID:

2025-01097

Time Type:

Full time

Employee Group:

Staff

Job Category:

Financial Planning and Reporting

Employment Type:

Permanent

Department:

Faculty of Science - Biology - Administration

Hiring Range:

$78,214.70 - $97,768.38

Posting Information:

The internal deadline is January 15, 2026 at 11:59pm.

This posting is for an existing vacancy.

Job Description:

Primary Purpose

The Financial Officer (‘FO’) performs analysis and reporting in support of the Department of Biology Strategic planning. The FO is accountable to the Administrative Officer for providing leadership and direction for the financial management of the Department. Working with the Chair and Administrative Officer, the FO provides both financial and non-financial performance results and projections. The FO will establish and maintain processes and routines to support fiscal accountability, to ensure that sound accounting practices are in place within the Department, and that financial activity conforms to the University’s financial policies and procedures. The FO will participate in long- and short-term strategic planning for the Department, assess and resolve financial related issues in consultation with the Director, Science Faculty Financial Operations as required, and provide guidance with respect to compliance with relevant policies and procedures. The FO will work on a variety of projects for the Department under the direction of the Administrative Officer and/or the Chair.

Key Accountabilities

Financial Management & Analysis

· Responsible for financial management, analysis and reporting for Biology operating, trust, endowment and research funds.

· Liaise with the Director, Science Faculty Financial Operations on issues related to financial policy interpretation.

· Review expenditures to ensure compliance with University and funding agency policies.

· Improve existing or create new internal control procedures to support adherence to relevant University and funding agency policy requirements and maintenance of a strong internal control environment.

· Liaise with the Administrative Officer on financial transactions pertaining to Department expenses, new start-up grants, and budget reallocation.

· Prepare and distribute monthly financial reports regarding the status of faculty start-up grants, stipends/awards, and other research grants.

· Develop and maintain procedures to support sound financial monitoring of income and expenses on all accounts within the Department of Biology.

· Review financial reports for the Department throughout the year; discuss potential issues with the Administrative Officer and Chair.

· Oversee expense reimbursement requests (travel claims and request for payments) and Faculty Professional Expense Reimbursement claims ensuring accuracy, compliance and eligibility.

· Provide oversight for the management of Pcard processes including the management of HST coding in adherence with CRA policies.

· Responsible for research compliance review and sign off for expense claims under $3,000.

· Reconcile Department monthly financial statement and initiate correcting journal entries, as required.

· Participate in ad hoc financial projects, including financial forecasting and business plans for new initiatives.

Strategic Planning

· Plan and coordinate the development of the Department annual operating budget in consultation with the Administrative Officer, Chair and the Director, Science Faculty Financial Operations.

· Report monthly to the Administrative Officer on the financial status of all budgets under the responsibility of the Chair.

· Conduct short and long term (five year) financial planning to project and ensure fiscal sustainability.

· Prepare multi-year budgetary forecasts identifying concerns and proposing solutions for improvement.

· Identification of financial opportunities and consequences of long-term plans and proposals to facilitate effective strategic decision-making.

Operational Management Support

· Assist with the identification, development and implementation of financial projects to improve service quality, operational efficiency, stakeholder satisfaction, and timeliness.

· Build connections and maintain productive, collaborative relationships between the Department Faculty and Staff, Dean of Science Office, Finance, Office of Research and other Central Support units across campus on matters related to financial administration.

· Identify and promote the sharing of financial and administrative best practices within the Department and across other business units on campus.

· Train Department Faculty and Staff on financial and budgetary procedures, ensuring that transactions and reporting within the Department adhere to UW policies, and are executed efficiently.

· Develop and maintain financial and relevant administrative procedure documentation, ensuring that this information is stored in a central location and readily available to all relevant stakeholders.

· Gather, update, and maintain financial and administrative data and prepare useful management reports to support decision making and efficient transaction processing.

Faculty Statistics and Research Reporting

· Report annually on faculty grant, publication, award, editorial board and professional recognition success rates.

· Liaise with faculty researchers on financial matters relating to research accounts. Ensure that these accounts are reviewed and reconciled each month.

· Support faculty members in developing budgets for grant applications.

· Ensure eligibility and compliance with granting agency requirements.

· Monitor faculty research and operating accounts to avoid deficits. Process deficit resolutions as required.

· Process research-related expenses and invoices.

· Liaise with the Office of Research on matters related to research grant transaction processing and reporting; attend training as required to keep abreast of new developments in funding agency policies and compliance.

· Provide advice and consultation to faculty members on the operation and control of individual grants and contracts, consistent with University policies and procedures.

Required Qualifications

Education

· Undergraduate degree in business, accounting or related discipline; or equivalent combination of education and experience

· Canadian accounting designation required (CPA)

Experience

· A minimum of 5 years progressive and demonstrated experience in financial management with a proven track record of implementing financial business practices and systems in a dynamic working environment

· Proven experience in financial reporting, internal controls, financial analysis, budgeting, forecasting and accounting

· Prior experience working in a post-secondary educational institution is considered an asset

Knowledge/Skills/Abilities

· Demonstrated analytical skills and data management experience

· Strong critical thinking skills with an aptitude for problem solving

· Aptitude for accurate and detailed work and the proven ability to prioritize and manage workflow in a high-volume environment

· Strong skills in MS Excel for analyzing data is essential; working knowledge of pivot tables is an asset

· Excellent interpersonal, oral and written communication skills

· Demonstrated ability to work well independently and in a team environment

Equity Statement

The University of Waterloo acknowledges that much of our work takes place on the traditional territory of the Neutral, Anishinaabeg, and Haudenosaunee peoples. Our main campus is situated on the Haldimand Tract, the land granted to the Six Nations that includes six miles on each side of the Grand River. Our active work toward reconciliation takes place across our campuses through research, learning, teaching, and community building, and is coordinated within the Office of Indigenous Relations.

The University values the diverse and intersectional identities of its students, faculty, and staff. The University regards equity and diversity as an integral part of academic excellence and is committed to accessibility for all employees. The University of Waterloo seeks applicants who embrace our values of equity, anti-racism and inclusion. As such, we encourage applications from candidates who have been historically disadvantaged and marginalized, including applicants who identify as First Nations, Métis and/or Inuk (Inuit), Black, racialized, a person with a disability, women and/or 2SLGBTQ+.

Positions are open to qualified candidates who are legally entitled to work in Canada.

The University of Waterloo is committed to accessibility for persons with disabilities. If you have any application, interview, or workplace accommodation requests, please contact Human Resources at hrhelp@uwaterloo.ca or 519-888-4567, ext. 45935.