Financial Analyst - Ancillary

The Financial Analyst’s (FA)  primary responsibility is to be the lead financial support and subject matter expert for the client groups that they support. The position provides accurate and timely financial support and analysis to their respective units via reporting, information dissemination, and recommendations on budgeting and financial strategies and deals with confidential financial information. Additionally, the FA acts as the liaison between the client groups and Financial Resources to ensure compliance with financial management policies and procedures, and external Governance to ensure the use of and development of financial management best practices. The position reports directly to the respective Manager in the Budget & Planning unit with accountability to the client group management. The position may support other administrative, faculty, or ancillary units as required and provides financial support on university and/or departmental wide special projects or initiatives.

This position’s primary responsibility is to be a financial resource for the Ancillary Services portfolio. The Ancillary Services self-sustaining client groups includes Residence Operations (including Ezra Apartments & Houses), Food Services, OneCard, Conference Services, Hawk Shops, Printing Services, Parking & Transportation Resources, Business Development, HUB Operations, Distribution Services and Special Constable Services.

This position has a university-wide mandate and is based at the Waterloo Campus.  The incumbent provides subject matter expertise to all campuses, requiring regular interpersonal interactions and collaboration with departments at the Waterloo, Brantford and Milton Campus and external partners. Special attention is given to ensure equitable service delivery across all locations.

Accountabilities

Financial Reporting:

• Creates, presents and interprets financial reporting to client group Senior Leaders on a  regular basis

• Creates custom reporting and budget information to support Faculty, Management and Staff’s specific requirements

• Prepares mandatory external reporting (i.e. Government funding agencies to ensure regulatory compliance)

• Collaborates with various units and individuals across the university to support effective reporting and analysis for internal and external audiences

Forecasting & Analysis:

• Analyzes year-over-year trends

• Analyzes budget to actual spending and forecasts actual year-end anticipated results

• Coordinates and prepares multi-year forecasts

• Analyzes non-operating units for profitability

• Analyses and presents options to meet financial challenges

• Supports month-end/year-end completion and analysis as coordinated by Financial Services

Budget Planning & Cost Modelling:

• Leads the annual and multi-year strategic budget planning process with client group Senior Leaders

• Creates, oversees and maintains financial models to be used for strategic planning purposes

• Completes budget planning documents required by Central Financial and are responsible for the accuracy of the budget data in the financial ERP system

• Attends budget planning meetings to review prior year challenges and the upcoming financial landscape which will be incorporated into the client group budget planning

• Provides cost modelling information for operating and non-operating initiatives

• Prepares business cases and cost analysis as required

Information Dissemination and Training:

• Attends regular Financial Resources and Budget & Planning meetings to exchange information and collaborate on projects/initiatives with the objective of sharing best practices and continuous improvement ideas to incorporate into client group areas

• Attends client group meetings to ensure alignment of priorities between client group and Financial Resources.

• Attends University Town Halls and information sessions related to budgeting and financial matters

• Provides current information to Client groups on:

• Applicable financial policies and procedures

• Collective agreements as they relate to financial matters

• Provides information on budget model allocations (e.g. Responsibility Centre Management (RCM) budget model)

• Provides technical training on an individual basis as requested

• Provides training on the review of financial reports, accounting principles and university financial policies

• Leads and/or participates in financial working groups/committees/project analysis as required

• Collaborates within Financial Resources and Integrated Planning & Budgeting to ensure full utilization and consistency of financial systems, model, policies, and procedures

• Leads and/or participates in continuous improvement initiatives

Advising:

• Provides  advice  to client groups on:

• financial implications of budget targets, restructuring, and new operating initiatives

• internal process implementation as it relates to financial requirements and meeting mandated financial objectives (e.g. Cost containment initiatives)

• establishing reconciliation methods

• cash handling procedures, registration for events and conferences

• budget and financial planning matters, policies/procedures, and accounting practices

Qualifications

• A CPA designation is required.

• Minimum 3 years of experience in a similar role.

• Knowledge and experience in financial modelling and data analysis.

• Advanced spreadsheet skills (Excel), and knowledge of other MS office products (Word, PowerPoint) and ERP systems.

• Knowledge of Millennium, Banner, Cognos is an asset.

• Self-motivated, goal-orientated individual who is capable of working in a dynamic and challenging work environment

• Excellent communication, problem solving, time management, and interpersonal skills with a focus on providing exceptional customer service in a team environment

This position has not been deemed eligible for educational equivalencies.

Compensation

Position Grade: F

Rate of pay:  $45.34 - $47.94 per hour with an annual step progression on anniversary date to $51.82 per hour

Considerations for new hire step placements include, qualifications and length/depth of required experience, relevant market rates for similar jobs, internal equity, and estimated learning curve in starting the job.

Hours of Work: This is a full time continuing position. The normal hours of work are 8:30 am to 4:30 pm, Monday to Friday. Flexibility in hours will be required, including evening and/or weekend work due to events. When possible, the manager will adjust the work schedule so that no more than 35 hours are worked in a week.

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