Financial Analyst

Job Summary
The role of the Financial Analyst is to support the Finance Manager by providing data analysis, preliminary hypothesis, and insights to support unit leaders in decision making. With direction from the Finance Manager, the role is responsible for budget preparation, reporting, and financial analysis and modelling.

Organizational Status

The University of British Columbia is a global centre for research and teaching, consistently ranked among the top 20 public universities in the world. Since 1915, UBC’s entrepreneurial spirit has embraced innovation and challenged the status quo. UBC encourages its students, staff and faculty to challenge convention, lead discovery and explore new ways of learning. At UBC, bold thinking is given a place to develop into ideas that can change the world.

Our Vision: To Transform Health for Everyone

Ranked among the world’s top medical schools with the fifth-largest MD enrollment in North America, the UBC Faculty of Medicine is a leader in both the science and the practice of medicine. Across British Columbia, more than 12,000 faculty and staff are training the next generation of doctors and health care professionals, making remarkable discoveries, and helping to create the pathways to better health for our communities at home and around the world.

The Faculty—comprised of approximately 2,200 administrative support, technical/research and management and professional staff, as well approximately 650 full-time academic and over 10,000 clinical faculty members—is composed of 19 academic basic science and/or clinical departments, 3 schools, and 25 research centres and institutes. Together with its University and Health Authority partners, the Faculty delivers innovative programs and conducts research in the areas of health and life sciences. Faculty, staff and trainees are located at university campuses, clinical academic campuses in hospital settings and other regionally based centres across the province.

The UBC Vancouver Campus is located on the traditional, ancestral, and unceded territory of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam) people. The City of Vancouver is located on Musqueam, Squamish, and Tsleil-Waututh First Nations territory.

Work Performed
Prepares budgets and projections on an annual and quarterly basis to help units better understand their resources and manage within their financial means.

Provides effective reporting, and comparing budget to actuals, and any additional analysis required by the unit heads.

Manages, develops and prepares complex models reports from various systems and sources using various software packages and tools to support financial decision making and analysis including hiring and new program development.

Monitors compliance with GAAP, UBC policies and tax regulations; monitors and evaluates internal controls for weaknesses and improvements; evaluates and makes recommendations on improving accounting and reporting systems and develops accounting processes and systems for the unit; participates in the development of new corporate systems through requirement definition, design and testing. Develops and implements financial policies and procedures to improve internal controls or increase efficiencies.

Develops year end accounting procedures and systems and trains others in ensuring these are managed correctly. Coordinates the unit year end general ledger and accounts payable processes including complex accruals and preparing proper documentation for external auditors.

Reviews research, special purpose, endowment and operating accounts for units to ensure that expenditures do not exceed the funding available. Provide consultation to account holders highlighting successes or areas requiring immediate action and establishes guidelines on sound financial practices to assist units in managing their funds. Provide strategic support to departments by identifying resolutions on financial issues including liaising with Central Finance to assist in resolving deficit issues.

Responsible for highly sensitive and confidential transactions and for dispute resolution for financial issues between units and central UBC, central FOM and third parties.

Provides financial advice and training to administrators, managers, investigators, heads and directors on policies and procedures and how to understand UBC ledger reports.

Drafts new policies and procedures as well as training material relating to financial policies, internal controls, expenditure reimbursements and related areas.

Consequence of Error/Judgement
The Financial Analyst is expected to work independently at a professional accountant level to produce a product that requires little detailed review. This position is key to maintaining the structure and data integrity which supports all financial reporting. Errors and poor decisions by this position could result in unreliable information or no information being available to effectively manage the finances of a large and very complex organization.

Supervision Received
Reports to the Finance Manager.

Supervision Given
None.

Minimum Qualifications
Undergraduate degree in a relevant discipline. Enrolled in the CPA Professional Education Program (PEP) modules. Minimum of three years of related experience, or the equivalent combination of education and experience.

- Willingness to respect diverse perspectives, including perspectives in conflict with one’s own

- Demonstrates a commitment to enhancing one’s own awareness, knowledge, and skills related to equity, diversity, and inclusion

Preferred Qualifications

Experience managing general ledger activity, including but not limited to Accounts Payable, Cash Management, Accounts Receivable, Reconciliations and Financial Reporting.

Experience in fund accounting, financial control and policy interpretation.

Experience working with different computer systems, including ERPs.

Experience managing staff. UBC FMS certification will be required. Demonstrated financial, analytical and budgetary skills. Ability to interpret data at a high level and to present findings developed from compilation of complex and possibly disparate financial data.Ability to consolidate financial data from various sources into financial statements and reports that are useful for management decision making. Ability to analyze problems, identify key information and issues and effectively resolve. Ability to analyze and reconcile accounts and to resolve discrepancies.Ability to maintain accuracy and integrity of accounting transactions and financial reporting. Ability to perform complex analyses. Ability to perform workflow analysis and process improvements. Effective oral and written communication and interpersonal skills.Knowledge of University, Hospital and Health Authority accounting systems. Ability to exercise judgment, discretion and diplomacy. Ability to prioritize and work effectively under pressure to meet deadlines.Ability to work effectively independently with minimal supervision and in a team environment. Ability to apply generally accepted accounting principles in an appropriate manner. Ability to exercise judgment, tact discretion and confidentiality in all matters and to maintain effective working relationships with internal and external contacts.Knowledge of contracts, government and UBC policies and regulations, grant administration and procedures related to finance, payroll and audit. Comfortable working with senior management.Able to communicate financial concepts to financial and non-financial managers and scientists. Comfortable working in a fast-paced multicultural environment.Advanced Excel user.

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