Research Finance Analyst

This is an exciting opportunity to join Sheridan’s Generator Support Office (formerly Sheridan Research Office). We are currently seeking a Research Finance Analyst (RFA) who will provide service to research stakeholders by conducting the post-award administration of a portfolio of research grants and contracts at Sheridan. The RFA works as part of the Generator Support Office team, liaising closely with the faculties, departments and Research and Incubation Centres to conduct post-award financial analysis and administration of research projects for their entire lifecycle from setup to closeout and audit, and to facilitate the resolution of issues. The incumbent will be assigned to a portfolio of research projects, for which they will manage expenses and budgets, develop cost projections and implement financial reporting processes. This position also involves scenario modeling and longer-term financial planning for the Research and Incubation Centres, conducting analyses for the whole Centre portfolio of operational and project budgets.

What You’ll Be Doing

Liaising with project teams and Finance to set up new departments and establish project budgets;
Performing day-to-day financial transactions for assigned research projects and accounts using online systems;
Purchasing research goods and services through procurement credit card or Purchase Order, working with Sheridan Procurement as required and seeking required approvals for purchases;
Assisting research teams with hiring plans, providing guidance on costing and funding sources and liaising with the Research Finance Assistant, HR and Payroll to provide information on policies and procedures to Principal Investigators (PIs);
Maintaining spreadsheets or other tools to record expenses and commitments and capture accurate budget position at all times;
Communicating regularly with Principal Investigators (PIs) about account balances and the availability of funds;
Developing projections and scenario modeling of project spending;
Alerting project teams to anticipated issues, making recommendations to avoid projected over
- or under-spending;
Monitoring project end dates and reporting deadlines and notifying project teams of approaching deadlines;
Preparing interim and final financial reports and claims as required for grant funds and developing and implementing financial reporting processes for new grant types;
Acting as the first point of contact for a range of internal and external stakeholders for post-award financial administration of research grants and contacts; serving as a resource for PIs to answer queries, provide information and clarification, advice and assistance, and resolve problems;
Supporting year-end reporting and other financial processes including audits;
Providing budgetary support to the Research Centre Directors for Research Centre operating budgets as required; conducting regular analyses of operating and project accounts to monitor and plan for the Centre’s overall budget position and cash flow; developing updated budget forecasts and projections of revenue/expenses; identifying potential issues and making recommendations to the respective Centre Director to support the Centre’s financial sustainability;
Performing other related duties as required.

About You

You have the skills and knowledge to work with an increasingly diverse student and staff population as well as a proven commitment to anti-oppression, equity, and inclusion.

You bring an appreciation for research in an educational environment and an understanding of its complexities and challenges.

You have demonstrated client service skills and a customer service orientation, as well as the ability to develop positive working relationships with a variety of project stakeholders.

Your sound judgement, problem-solving skills and solid analytical/critical thinking skills gives you the ability to identify issues and seek creative solutions.

You bring exceptional oral and written communications skills with the ability to clearly explain complex policies and procedures, and to concisely convey information to clients and to senior management.

You have sound understanding of project management principles and tools and have the ability to multi-task, prioritize, balance and manage multiple complex and competing demands.

4-year degree in finance, business, research administration or related field of study.

3 years of demonstrated recent experience working in a research or related institutional environment (e.g., college, university, research hospital, funding agency). (Equivalency will be considered).

Work experience or formal education including budget management and forecasting, and financial and post-award administration processes relevant to research (e.g. project accounting, financial monitoring and analysis for research grants or contracts).

Strong ability to conduct scenario modeling and analysis, integrating multiple sources of data to develop recommendations.