Financial Officer, Business Services

Date Posted: 10/14/2025

Req ID: 45475

Faculty/Division: Faculty of Arts & Science

Department: Office of Budget, Planning and Finance

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 legacyof innovation and discovery that has changed the way we think about the world.

The Planning, Budget & Finance Office provides strategic and operational advice on the financial and budget management of the Faculty, as well as internal institutional and Faculty research data and business support services to all of the Faculty's units. The Office models, plans, and implements the Faculty's operating budget and provides Faculty-wide support and advice on the management of research, restricted and trust funds; financial analyses and forecasting; strategic planning and budget analysis; policy compliance and develops and delivers finance and business training seminars for A&S academic administrators and administrative staff.

Your opportunity:

Reporting to the Supervisor, Business and Accounting Services, the Financial Officer, Business Services plays a key role in supporting business continuity in academic units, on a as- needed basis. The incumbent is responsible for interim financial management, general administration, and operational oversight of academic units and centres during periods of the service engagement.

This position involves regular collaboration with Chairs, Directors, and staff to provide comprehensive administrative support in areas such as payroll, accounts payable, procurement, and financial management. The incumbent ensures that all business transactions adhere to generally accepted accounting principles, as well as the University's financial and purchasing policies and the Divisions funding guidelines.

In addition, the Financial Officer, Business Services serves as a resource to financial and business officers within the Faculty, offering onboarding support for new staff, delivering job-related training, and recommending professional development opportunities to facilitate a successful transition into their roles.

Your responsibilities will include:

• Advising staff on accounting practices and University financial policies and procedures
• Applying the University Guide to Financial Management and other applicable policies, agency and regulatory requirements
• Monitoring department budget to ensure expenditures remain within budgeted allocations
• Identifying and resolving individual financial discrepancies
• Preparing financial summary reports
• Verifying that personnel transactions are processed according to applicable policies, procedures, collective agreements and applicable legislated requirements
• Implementing plans and process improvements for financial administration activities
• Serving as a resource on specific issues to a group of specialists

Essential Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Business, or an acceptable equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Minimum four years of recent and related experience in administrative and financial management, preferably in a post-secondary education institution.
• Comprehensive knowledge of and experience working with the University's collective agreements, guidelines and policies for payments to other individuals, requirements for job postings (e.g. CUPE 1 & 3) and the hiring process for Postdoctoral Fellows, etc.
• Demonstrated experience in processing payroll for various staff categories, including casual employees, workstudy students, appointed administrative staff, academics, research personnel, post doc fellows, payments to other individuals, etc., within the University of Toronto or a comparable institution.
• Proven experience with the financial and procurement policies and procedures of the University of Toronto or similar institutions, and their practical application.
• Proficiency in working with SAP-based systems; knowledge of the University's Financial Information System (FIS) and Human Resources Information System (HRIS), or equivalent financial and payroll systems.
• Demonstrated familiarity with research grant administration, including an understanding of Tri-Council grants, reporting requirements, and their terms and conditions.
• Demonstrated experience in financial management, planning and monitoring of various account types, including operating accounts, Principal Investigator (PI) accounts, UTFA, research grants, ancillary, and trust accounts.
• Experience in delivering job-related training and onboarding support for new staff.
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Office 365 applications, including Word, PowerPoint, Outlook, Access, SharePoint, and Teams.
• Strong analytical skills with a high degree of numerical accuracy, attention to detail, and follow-through.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Superior organizational and planning abilities.
• Proven capacity to manage multiple priorities effectively in a fast-paced environment, with a strong focus on accuracy and attention todetail.
• Ability to interpret and work with complex and technical information, such as grant documentation, statistical data, financial statements, and donor reports.
• Demonstrated commitment to providing exceptional client service.

Assets (Nonessential):

• Advanced standing in a recognized accounting program considered an asset.
• Financial and administrative experience with the Faculty of Arts and Science.
• Knowledge of Microsoft Office Power BI.

To be successful in this role you will be:

• Accountable
• Communicator
• Efficient
• Multi-tasker
• Resourceful
• Team player

This role may be eligible for an Alternative Work Arrangement in accordance with the University of Toronto's Alternative Work Arrangements Guideline.

Closing Date: 10/23/2025, 11:59PM ET

Employee Group: USW

Appointment Type: Budget - Continuing

Schedule: Full-Time

Pay Scale Group & Hiring Zone:

USW Pay Band 13 - $86,340. with an annual step progression to a maximum of $110,415. 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

Lived Experience Statement

Candidates who are members of Indigenous, Black, racialized and 2SLGBTQ+ communities, persons with disabilities, and other equity deserving groups are encouraged to apply, and their lived experience shall be taken into consideration as applicable to the posted position.