Financial Analyst

The Financial Analyst works in close partnership with academic and non-academic leaders and support staff of their assigned service area(s). The Financial Analyst is an integral part of the university’s Central Financial Services and will work within one of the core Finance teams, Financial Planning & Analysis.

Using a high level of technical expertise, demonstrated accuracy, and attention to detail, the incumbent will provide strategic input and support for financial and operational activities in accordance with VIU’s Financial Services standards, processes, and procedures in addition to governing legislation. The role involves performing a high volume of in-depth analysis, data entry, process reviews, and applying strong accounting knowledge in several core financial areas.

The incumbent utilizes various financial or accounting systems to prepare, monitor, analyze, and provide strategic input on finance and operations for work orders relating to a broad range of base academic and university operational activities, professional development and training, research, cost recovery, and contract programs.

Duties

The following duties and expectations may vary based on the incumbent’s assigned service area(s):

• Collaborates with leaders of academic and non-academic units, providing practical financial support and guidance for budgetary responsibilities.
• Contributes to budget development, monitors budgets and financial trends, forecasts future needs, identifies emerging issues, and maintains regular communication with leadership.
• Provides consolidated division forecasts, supports leadership in financial report presentations, and reviews external financial partnership arrangements.
• Prepares and reviews budget information, drafts, projections, and engages in informed budget discussions and planning.
• Supports specific projects or areas as directed by leadership, working with central Financial Services on enrollment and tuition revenue forecasting.
• Monitors financial activity with stakeholders, interpreting financial reports, and advising on decision-making.
• Undertakes a wide variety of finance activities in support of assigned service area(s).
• Prepares, reviews, and approves internal departmental charges, purchase requisitions, and reconciles work orders. Prepares and corrects journal entries and salary transfer requests.
• Collaborates with colleagues and leaders on invoice requests, ensuring purchase orders are in place, and prepares monthly and year-end accounting entries.
• Provides direction and support on financial processes, forms, and budgets, including training and updates.
• Generates FIS financial reports and performs variance analysis, providing in-depth analysis of key financial variances.
• Maintains ledger balances, tracks accounting records for general ledger accounts, prepares portions of annual financial statements, and works with external auditors.
• Monitors and prepares reconciliations for specific accounts, prepares capital requests, and correcting entries for inaccuracies.
• Assists in developing internal controls, reporting, and new initiatives, redesigning processes for efficiency.
• Provides education and support to financial system users, promoting understanding of financial reports and resource management.
• Conducts business process and policy reviews, redesigning processes for efficiency and implementing best practices.
• Analyzes financial areas, documenting issues, recommending actions, and implementing solutions.
• Ensures adherence to financial requirements in contracts for consulting, construction, and services.
• Tracks and records overload/additional-hours appointments and cost distribution changes for HRIS entry.
• Completes data entry, resolves anomalies, and brings unresolved issues to leadership's attention.
• Designs and builds financial processes, accounting structures, and reporting frameworks for new initiatives, consulting with business owners and Enterprise Systems.
• Cross-trains to provide backup support for other analysts or functions within the Finance department.
• Financial Analyst assigned to campus development division will have additional duties related to maintenance of PM Web.

A Bachelor’s degree in a related field (e.g., Accounting, Finance, Business, Economics) along with a minimum of 5 years’ experience in working with complex cost recovery/revenue-based budgets, including budget preparation, development, monitoring, extensive data entry in Excel, analysis, quarterly reviews, and year-end reconciliation. An equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered.

• Demonstrated ability to plan, organize and develop effective systems work instructions and procedures to support finance functions.
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple tasks, meet mandatory deadlines, and set priorities accurately and efficiently.
• Superior critical thinking skills.
• Demonstrated initiative and independence, while working effectively as part of a team.
• Demonstrated ability to provide confidential service.
• Demonstrated experience working with a broad range of external audit clients and entity integrated system experience.
• Solid understanding and application of current accounting principles for not for profit, public sector, and charitable organizations.
• Demonstrated ability to produce concise and complex financial reports.
• Must be able to interpret, explain, report on, and provide advice on a variety of accounting, budgetary and financial management issues.
• Effective oral and written communication along with the ability to maintain strong working relationships with all levels of faculty and staff.
• Superior investigative and analytical skills with the ability to identify and implement strategies for improvement.
• Working knowledge of Microsoft Office with exceptional Microsoft Excel skills and demonstrated ability applying Excel to complex financial analysis.
• Candidate must be self-motivated and able to work with minimal supervision within multiple tight deadlines.

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

Vancouver Island University is a comprehensive teaching university with 13,000 students across three campuses. VIU proudly fosters student success, strong community connections and meaningful collaborations by providing access to a wide range of programs, from academic undergraduate and master’s to industry-responsive trades and vocational training.

VIU is pleased to offer employees a comprehensive benefit plan; ample paid holiday time; professional development opportunities and a desirable pension plan that takes the worry out of retirement. As part of the VIU campus community, you will work with supportive colleagues within an encouraging environment and are provided with the tools and training that promote learning and development. The perks of VIU employment are multiple, and include well-being initiatives and services, strategic discounts, and flexible work opportunities.

The VIU community acknowledges and thanks the Snuneymuxw, Quw’utsun, Tla’amin, Snaw-naw-as and Qualicum First Nation on whose traditional lands we teach, learn, research, live and share knowledge.