Financial Officer

Date Posted: 04/30/2021
Req ID: 3966
Faculty/Division: Faculty of Arts & Science
Department: Department for the Study of Religion
Campus: St. George (Downtown Toronto)

Description:

About us:

The Faculty of Arts & Science is the heart of Canada’s leading university and one of the most comprehensive and diverse academic divisions in the world. The strength of Arts & Science derives from our combined teaching and research excellence in the humanities, sciences and social sciences across 29 departments, seven colleges and 46 interdisciplinary centres, institutes and programs.

We can only realize our mission with the dedication and excellence of engaged staff and faculty. The diversity of opportunities and perspectives within the Faculty reflect the local and global landscape and the need for curiosity, innovative thinking and collaboration. At Arts & Science, we take pride in our legacy of innovation and discovery that has changed the way we think about the world.

The Department for the Study of Religion (DSR) fosters scholarly excellence and innovation among all students and faculty in the humanities and social sciences. We explore the way religions have grown and developed, how they have been understood and transformed, and how we can think about them with discipline in our religiously plural environment. Our programs enable students to grasp religion as a critical aspect of the varied cultures and philosophies of the world and the interactions among them. We study religion as an historical and political phenomenon with wide-ranging social, ethical, economic, and political effects. As a result, students at all levels can better understand how religion is at play in local and global contexts and can gain insight into the significant impact of religion on contemporary affairs. Our location in one of the most religiously diverse cities in the world is an important resource and responsibility as we facilitate intellectually informed and publicly minded conversations on religion in the public sphere through research, university networks, public events, and student engagement.

Your opportunity:

Under the direction of the Department Manager, the Financial Officer will support the research mission of the department by monitoring and administering grant and operating funds of the Principal Investigators (PIs) in the unit. The position isalso responsible for the financial activities for the Robert H. N. Ho Family Foundation Centre for Buddhist Studies, and other restricted trust funds. In addition to the Department Manager, the position will collaborate regularly with the Undergraduate Assistant and Graduate Administrator ensuring effective systems for the processing of financial and payroll activity. The position is responsible for the accurate recording of financial and payroll transactions through the University’s Administrative Management Systems in accordance with all sponsors/granting agencies, trust agreements, University policies, employment agreements and legislative rules, guidelines, and procedures. The position is responsible for monitoring, reporting and monthly reconciliation of budgets, revenues and expenses as well as their document management (paper and electronic records and data) ensuring audit requirements are met and FIS/HRIS records are correct and up to date. Processes research assistant, research trainee, and USW-casual contracts. Works closely with PIs to provide prompt, regular, and relevant advice, as necessary. Processes work study payments, and all other non-appointed payments. Administers recovery processes. Prepares and deposits cash receipts. Ensures annual accountability reports (PI Annual Activity Report and PI Paid Activity Reports) are completed.

The position is responsible for the administration of the department’s annual SIG grants and budgets associated with undergraduate and graduate student initiatives such as symposia, conferences and workshops and acts as a resource for organizers and participants.

Your responsibilities will include:

• Making recommendations on budget allocations involving multiple sources of revenue and/or recoveries
• Monitoring, recording, reconciling and/or reporting on funding accounts for grants and contracts
• Preparing budget variance reports
• Generating standard financial reports
• Recording detailed transactions for many accounts
• Processing payroll
• Keeping well-informed on changes to policies, procedures, collective agreements, and applicable legislated requirements
• Advising on the preparation of budget proposals to ensure compliance with university and sponsor's policies

Essential Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s Degree in business/accounting or acceptable combination of recent & equivalent experience.
• Minimum three years of recent and related financial and payroll administration experience in a post-secondary environment.
• Experience monitoring, recording, reconciling and reporting on funding accounts for grants and contracts.
• Experience reporting, monitoring, and reconciling financial activity and payroll distribution, including preparing financial statements and financial statistical reports.
• Demonstrated experience with similar financial/funding agencies rules, guidelines, and procedures. Experience working with granting councils and agencies is essential.
• Experience with processing payroll and troubleshooting and resolving payroll discrepancies.
• Experience analyzing data to develop business cases and make recommendations for financial plan and process improvements.
• Experience working with PCards and handling petty cash.
• Experience verifying and processing expense reimbursements, accounts payable, and accounts receivable.
• Demonstratedadvanced level skills in MS Office (Word, Excel, Outlook).
• Advanced skills working in FIS, HRIS, and RIS, or similar SAP administrative systems.
• Proven experience successfully communicating complex financial data, policies, and procedures to stakeholders with varying levels of financial knowledge.
• Ability to work effectively in a team environment and deal effectively and professionally with faculty, students, alumni, staff, and other internal and external stakeholders.
• Demonstrated initiative and attention to detail.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong organizational and time management skills to meet conflicting deadlines.
• Sound judgment, excellent decision-making, and problem-solving skills.

To be successful in this role you will be:

• Accountable
• Articulate
• Communicator
• Meticulous
• Organized
• Self-directed
• Team player

Closing Date: 05/10/2021, 11:59PM ET
Employee Group: USW 
Appointment Type: Budget - Continuing 
Schedule: Full-Time
Pay Scale Group & Hiring Zone:  
USW Pay Band 11 -- $65,669 with an annual step progression to a maximum of $83,978. Pay scale and job class assignment is subject to determination pursuant to the Job Evaluation/Pay Equity Maintenance Protocol. 
Job Category: Finance/Budget/Planning/Audit

All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however, Canadians and permanent residents will be given priority.

At this time, this position is an internal posting for U of T employees only. You may apply here. 

Diversity Statement

The University of Toronto is strongly committed to diversity within its community and especially welcomes applications from racialized persons / persons of colour, women, Indigenous / Aboriginal People of North America, persons with disabilities, LGBTQ2S+ persons, and others who may contribute to the further diversification of ideas.

As part of your application, you will be asked to complete a brief Diversity Survey. This survey is voluntary. Any information directly related to you is confidential and cannot be accessed by search committees or human resources staff. Results will be aggregated for institutional planning purposes. For more information, please see http://uoft.me/UP.

Accessibility Statement

The University strives to be an equitable and inclusive community, and proactively seeks to increase diversity among its community members. Our values regarding equity and diversity are linked with our unwavering commitment to excellence in the pursuit of our academic mission.

The University is committed to the principles of the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA). As such, we strive to make our recruitment, assessment and selection processes as accessible as possible and provide accommodations as required for applicants with disabilities.

If you require any accommodations at any point during the application and hiring process, please contact uoft.careers@utoronto.ca.

At this time, this position is an internal posting for U of T employees only. You may apply here.