Accounting Assistant, Financial Operations

University of Saskatchewan; Saskatoon; Hybrid; CAD 53,000 - 83,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading Canadian research institution is seeking an Accounting Assistant for its Financial Operations unit. The role involves managing post-award financial administration and ensuring compliance with funding agreements. Candidates should have a relevant degree in accounting or be working towards one, alongside two to three years of related experience. The position fosters stakeholder engagement and requires effective communication skills. A commitment to diversity and professional growth is essential. Eligible for hybrid work.

Qualifications

• Preferred degree in accounting or working towards one.
• Two to three years of related experience required.

Responsibilities

• Manage relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
• Provide financial reporting and billing for research projects.
• Prepare financial statements as per funding agreements.

Skills

Curiosity mindset

Critical thinking

Creative problem solving

Attention to detail

Knowledge of federal granting agency policies

Proficiency with financial systems

Effective communication skills

Ability to work independently and in a team

High degree of professionalism

Education

Relevant university degree in accounting

Tools

Banner

FAST

Microsoft Office Suite

Job description

Accounting Assistant, Financial Operations

The University of Saskatchewan one of the top Canadian research-intensive institutions, which annually receives hundreds of millions of dollars in research funding. Financial Operations is the university unit responsible for supporting world class research by providing a wide range of administrative activities to ensure the university meets its obligations for financial reporting and stewardship of these funds. Financial Operations is committed to fostering a workplace culture that promotes diversity, collaboration, and professional growth.

Primary Purpose: Deliver highly effective post award financial administration, accounting, and financial reporting for research awards to support the university’s vision of being an outstanding institution of research. In addition, this position has the opportunity to provide expertise to campus research personnel in the financial management of their research funds including providing information and education to ensure effective and efficient financial stewardship.

Nature of Work: Reporting to the Manager, Financial Operations, the expectation is the incumbent will work as a member of a team of professionals who are responsible for problem solving with respect to a portfolio of research awards assigned to them. They will manage relationships between internal and external stakeholders related to their portfolio. They must prepare financial statements and complete billings as outlined in the terms of individual research agreements. This requires an ability to understand, interpret and apply external funding agreement requirements, university policies and guidelines and external regulatory body standards.

Accountabilities

• Manage and foster relationships with internal and external stakeholders
• Provide timely financial reporting and billings for a portfolio of research projects
• Interpret funding agreements to determine statement and billing requirements
• Using the integrity of the financial system’s data to present the financial position of a research project to internal and external stakeholders
• Provide guidance and knowledge to campus research personnel relating to financial stewardship
• Communicate technical information and transfer knowledge to internal business processing units and non-technical users to strengthen internal controls impacting financial information
• Develop and maintain standard operating practices for this position that can be used for peer training and audit requests
• Conceive, manage, and complete projects aimed at increasing process effectiveness and efficiency
• Provide support for audits of research awards/projects
• Demonstrate a commitment to continuous improvement of professional skills

Education: A relevant university degree with a major in accounting is preferred; however, working towards completing a degree is an asset. A combination of education and experience may be considered.

Experience: Two to three years of directly related experience, ideally in a complex, diverse, and inclusive environment, is required. Directly related experience for this position is defined as having experience in the preparation of an operating financial statement at the project level rather than the entity level, issuing invoices and the follow up activities related to outstanding A/R, and taking a client-centered approach to relationship management. Additionally, experience in the audit field, which demonstrates a curiosity mindset and being comfortable asking “why” is considered to be an asset.

Skills

• Utilizing a curiosity mindset, be self-motivated and take initiative to continuously learn to broaden skills, expand perspective and knowledge base
• Critical thinking through being able to identify and analyze complex issues, arguments and factual evidence surrounding an issue to reach sound and balanced judgments
• Creative problem solving through using an innovative approach to generate ideas, find fresh perspectives, and evaluate information in an innovative way to produce effective solutions to a problem with the appropriate supporting facts and data
• Rigorous attention to detail to ensure accuracy and completeness of financial information under review while managing competing deadlines and goals
• Working knowledge of federal granting agency policies and financial administration guides pertaining to areas like grant funds, reporting and supporting evidence and administrative matters
• Proficient with university financial information systems and tools (e.g., Banner, FAST, About Us, UnivRS, JIRA), and demonstrated skills using computers and Microsoft Office Suite (e.g., Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Visio). Must have the capability to learn university information systems
• Effective verbal and written communication skills, excellent interpersonal skills, and the ability to clearly articulate the nature of compliance issues and the reasons that may be causing them to small groups and one-on-one settingsTranslate technical information to understandable formats for a variety of different users
• Demonstrated ability to work independently and in a team environment to meet deadlines and goals
• High degree of professionalism in handling sensitive and confidential situations and information with demonstrated ability to maintain strict confidentiality

Department: Financial Operations
Status: Permanent
Employment Group: ASPA
Shift: Mon-Fri, 8:00-4:30
Full Time Equivalent (FTE): 1.0
Salary: The salary range, based 1.0 FTE, is $53,091.00 - 82,954.00 per annum. The starting salary will be commensurate with education and experience.
Salary Family (if applicable): Specialist Professional
Salary Phase/Band: Phase 1
Posted Date: 12/17/2025
Closing Date: 125 at 6:00 pm CST
Number of Openings: 1
Work Location: May be eligible for hybrid work under the terms of USask's Alternative Workspace Guidelines

The University of Saskatchewan aspires to be what the world needs and embraces equity, diversity and inclusion as foundational to excellence and innovation. We actively seek to create a welcoming environment where all individuals feel empowered to thrive, contribute, and grow. Applications from equity-deserving groups are encouraged as part of our ongoing efforts to reflect the diversity of the communities we serve: EDI Framework for Action.

We continue to grow our partnerships with Indigenous communities across the province, nationally, and internationally and value the unique perspective that Indigenous employees provide to strengthen these relationships. Verification of Indigenous Membership/Citizenship at the University of Saskatchewan is led and determined by the Indigenous Truth policy and the Standing Committee in accordance with the processes developed to enact the policy. Successful candidates that assert Indigenous membership/citizenship will be asked to complete the verification process of Indigenous membership/citizenship with documentation.

The University of Saskatchewan provides an accessible and inclusive workplace. Should you require support through any stage of the recruitment process, please contact Human Resources for assistance.