Research Accounting and Auditing Analyst

Research Accounting and Auditing Analyst

About Queen's University

Queen’s University is the Canadian research intensive university with a transformative student learning experience. Here the employment experience is as diverse as it is interesting. We have opportunities in multiple areas of globally recognized research, faculty administration, engineering & construction, athletics & recreation, power generation, corporate shared services, and many more.

Come work with us

Job Summary

**A Brief Overview**
This position coordinates day-to-day financial and accounting activities related to research projects. This position coordinates and oversees the internal review process for Tri-Agency expenditures and research project over-spending procedure. This position is also responsible for preparing annual, final, and interim financial reports and invoices for specific granting agencies.

**Job Description**:

**What you will do**
- Coordinates and oversees the internal review process for Tri-Agency expenditures.
- Reviews expense documentation, processes, and procedures to ensure eligibility and compliance with external grantor policies and spending guidelines.
- Provides guidance to researchers and authorized delegates on research project financial administration.
- Oversees the research project over-spending procedure and deals with securing temporary overdrafts and adjusting project budgets.
- Gathers and analyzes data for all current and old project deficits; communicates any new deficits to researchers, and takes necessary action based on the circumstances.
- Prepares the monthly deficit analysis report.
- Oversees overdraft procedure to ensure research project deficits are dealt with in a timely manner.
- Prepares and processes all financial transactions in support of research activities including account reconciliations and analysis, prepares journal entries, and ad-hoc reports.
- Ensures that expenditures are suitable, supported by receipts, and authorized by the applicable signing authority.
- Ensures that revenue is maximized by issuing prompt billing to granting agencies, following up on overdue payments, and ensuring that projects do not go into overdraft.
- Provides guidance and expert advice on research finances by assisting PIs and their delegates through answering questions, resolving problems, and interpreting grantor rules and policies.
- Prepares draft audit correspondence for special project audits including how the department will mitigate the risk of any project financial errors.
- Prepares financial reports for external agencies that sponsor Queen’s research and other universities.
- Ensures regular follow-up on collections and identifies outstanding accounts receivable as they pertain to contracts.
- Identifies and recommends areas of opportunity for process efficiencies, enhanced reporting, and strengthened internal controls related to research accounting.
- Provides support for the review of research expenditures submitted through the Expense Reimbursement System, to ensure compliance and eligibility, as required.
- Follows up on unidentified deposits.
- Other duties as required in support of the department and/or unit.

**Required Education**
- Three-year Community College Diploma or Three-Year Bachelor Degree, or equivalent. In addition, requires trade certification, qualification, or on-going learning to remain ahead of changes in technology or emerging fields.
- in accounting preferred.

**Required Experience**
- More than 3 years and up to and including 5 years of experience.
- Experience in financial reporting, including familiarization with relevant accounting standards considered an asset (e.g., IFRS, GAAP, etc.).
- Experience in financial services practices considered an asset (e.g., maintaining accounting records, etc.).
- Experience in general financial control practices considered an asset (e.g., accounts payable, cost accounting, financial reporting, etc.).
- Experience with accounting practices considered an asset (e.g., general ledger, cash payments/collections, tax transactions, balance sheets, management reporting, cost accounting/budgeting and/or accounts payable/receivables, etc.).
- Experience working at a post-secondary education institution considered an asset.

Consideration may be given to an equivalent combination of education and experience.

**Job Knowledge and Requirements**
- Practical and applied knowledge of specialized methods and processes that are typically acquired through a combination of technical or academic qualification and/or work experience.
- Provide consultation and advice on non-straightforward and/or complex issues.
- Interaction with others typically requires interpersonal skills and the ability to understand and influence.
- Adapt messages to meet the needs of the intended audience.
- Build relationships, trust and credibility.
- Manage own work and may train and review the work of casual employees, work study students and/or volunte