Research Finance Assistant

Overview:
**Term: 1 year**

The Research Financial Assistant will provide financial and human resource support to Principal Investigators to facilitate effective management of their research projects.

**Responsibilities**:
Financial Administration
- Ensure all expenses are eligible and compliant with university and granting agency policies
- Assist faculty and staff with understanding various financial reports, financial policies/procedures, terminology, and standard accounting practices including support for training on Power BI
- Forward financial reports e.g., form 300’s received from Office of Research to PIs and obtain approval signatures by stipulated deadline date
- Create and review journal entry transactions, including interdepartmental billings and ensure transaction complies with the University’s policies on fund transfers, applicable tax rules and expense transfer approvals, support to Principal Investigators
- Runs queries; reviews and interprets financial data to support management of grant funding by Principal Investigator (PI)
- Submits and supports submission of online purchase requisitions for equipment funded by research grants and contracts
- Assists with resolving deficits and account transfers working with Office of Research, Finance and PIs as appropriate
- Answers non-routine and complex inquiries that are specific in nature and require specialized knowledge of policies and procedures and may require follow-up with Office of Research
- Supports PI with budget questions for grant submissions

Research Administrative Support
- Reviews all cover sheets and Interim Research Account requests to ensure accuracy and that OR guidelines are followed
- Provides supports, as needed to Research Project/Program Managers
- Prepares reports three times/year (by term) that includes grant amount, funder, title, length, grad student support, etc. for Chairs/Director

Human Resources Administration
- Assists with the processing of various research hires and terminations
- Assists with the preparation of various payroll forms
- Ensure that contract end dates do not exceed the research grant end date and prepare revised salary reallocation forms as required
- Review research staff contracts, payments, and salaries to ensure eligibility of expenses according to granting agency guidelines and requirements
- Review Graduate Research Studentships and Graduate Research Assistants payments for available funds and timeliness
- Initiate salary changes for ongoing salary for research group members, as needed
- Liaise between PIs, Academic Unit Staff, the Finance and Office of Research departments, as required

Other
- Stay current on changes in granting agency regulations, University policies and procedures, research administration best practices and new technology or programs
- Attend all training on new systems and procedures, and meetings as required
- Other duties required

Qualifications:

- University degree in accounting, post-secondary accounting diploma, or equivalent combination of education and experience is required
- 1-2 years financial or administrative experience preferably in a post-secondary environment
- Knowledge of University systems (Concur, Unit4, Workday, PowerBi) an asset
- Strong computer skills including MS Office specifically Excel
- Strong decision making and critical thinking skills
- Ability to interpret policies, financial statements
- Ability to analyze financial data and present it in an appropriate format
- Strong client-service orientation with a focus on providing exceptional customer service in a team environment
- Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to interact professionally and effectively with diverse constituencies of the university and exteral partners
- Strong verbal and written communication skills are essential
- Excellent organizational and time-management skills
- Ability to work accurately, efficiently, and effectively both independently and as part of a team
- Ability to manage multiple demands with above average attention to detail

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 co-ordinated within the Office of Indigenous Relations.