Finance Manager

McGill University; Sherbrooke; On-site; CAD 73,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive benefits package

Defined contribution pension plan

RRSP and TFSA

Generous vacation policy

Personal days and floating holidays

Remote work up to 2 days/week

Job summary

McGill University invites applications for a Finance Manager to provide accounting services supporting internal and external reporting of the University's financial position. The role ensures GAAP compliance and implements financial controls and policies.

The position collaborates with the Associate Director, Endowment and Restricted Accounting, and the Controller to enhance processes, systems, and service delivery. Strong communication and tax knowledge are essential.

Qualifications

• CPA designation preferred.
• Strong written and spoken communication.
• Proven financial analysis skills.
• Interest in process improvement and efficiency.
• Ability to work under pressure with shifting priorities.
• Ability to liaise with internal clients and senior management.
• Experience with Excel and large data sets.

Responsibilities

• Participate in quarterly and year-end reporting and variance analyses.
• Assist in year-end audit reports and respond to auditor requests.
• Prepare external financial reports and surveys for various bodies.
• Supervise Financial Administrator (endowments).
• Oversee restricted and endowment fund processes.
• Prepare and automate accounting schedules and reconciliations.
• Prepare tax filings and documentation; manage payments and reconciliations.
• Research key tax issues and provide guidance on policy development.
• Respond to tax inquiries from the community.
• Review faculty financial statements.
• Investigate discrepancies in accounting processes with faculties.

Skills

Financial analysis

Communication skills

Problem solving

Attention to detail

Education

CPA designation preferred

Tools

Excel

Crystal Reports

BANNER FIS/HR

Job description

POSITION SUMMARY

Under the supervision of the Associate Director, Endowment and Restricted Accounting, the Finance Manager serves two key functions - Provides accounting services to support the recording relating to internal and/or external reporting of the University's financial position and ensures an accurate reflection of the University's financial position through the formulation, administration and implementation of generally accepted accounting principles, regulations and controls. Develop and implement financial, accounting, and audit strategies. Provide financial information and analysis, implement and monitor financial and accounting policies and procedures, develop and implement financial controls, process and monitor financial transactions. Provides support to auditors. Oversee the month‑end and year‑end endowment related processes. Provide support to non‑research restricted and endowment fund administrators on various administrative tasks and accounting related questions. Is a key resource for tax related matters as they pertain to Financial Services and the University at large. Together with the Associate Director, Endowment and Restricted Accounting and the Controller, the Finance Manager is responsible for maintaining and enhancing existing tax knowledge bases, providing guidance to the University community at large, produce relevant filings and assist in cashing out tax engagements with tax consultants. As the University continues to modernize and transform its financial operations, this role is expected to evolve in scope and responsibility, contributing to new initiatives, systems, processes, and service delivery models that enhance efficiency, compliance, reporting and stakeholder support.

To work at McGill University, you must be both authorized to work in Canada and willing to work in the province of Quebec at the campus where the position is based / located.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Participate in quarterly and year‑end reporting, including reconciliation of schedules and analyses of variances. This involves communicating with various faculties/departments.
• Participate in the preparation of the year‑end audit reports and assist auditors with various audit requests.
• Prepare external financial reports and surveys required by various governing bodies.
• Supervise Financial Administrator (endowments).
• Oversee various restricted and endowment fund questions and processes.
• Prepare and automate various accounting schedules and reconciliations.
• Preparation of tax filings (commodity tax report, lodging tax report) and the documentations needed for filing and payment, deposit, and reconciliation.
• Research key tax issues.
• Assist in providing tax guidance as it pertains to policy and process development/improvement.
• Respond to tax inquiries from the community.
• Review of faculty financial statements.
• Investigate discrepancies or anomalies in accounting processes and communicate with relevant faculty/department/unit.
• Administer various funds to ensure adherence to internal and external accounting policies and contract obligations.
• Acts as advisor to unit members/clients regarding university accounting policies and procedures.
• Work on various process improvements.
• Use a variety of software applications such as the University's Financial Information System, spreadsheets, relational databases, financial reporting, statistical or other applications to compile, manipulate, process, and/or format data and reports.

OTHER QUALIFYING SKILLS AND ABILITIES

• CPA designation preferred.
• Strong communication skills both written and spoken.
• Demonstrated financial analysis skills.
• Interest in process improvements and desire to implement efficiencies.
• Strong analytical ability to solve problems.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationship with internal clients and senior management team.
• Ability to work well under pressure in an environment with shifting priorities and deadlines.
• Demonstrated ability of working in a PC environment using excel spreadsheets and formulas (for ex: Pivot table, V-lookup), databases, Crystal Reports, including the application of BANNER (FIS and HR).
• Ability to prioritize and meet specific deadlines, to work autonomously as well as part of a team.
• Highly organized and resourceful, with the capacity to make decisions independently and provide recommendations.
• Excellent communication, leadership and interpersonal skills with all levels of staff.

BENEFITS

• Competitive benefits package (Health, Dental, Life Insurance) (if eligible)
• Defined contribution pension plan (with employer contribution up to 10%) (if eligible)
• Group Registered Retirement Savings Plan (RRSP) and Tax Free Savings Account (TFSA)
• Competitive vacation policy
• Two (2) personal days
• Two (2) floating holidays
• Nine (9) 'Summer Fridays' - paid days off between the St-Jean Baptiste holiday and Labour Day
• Paid time off over the December holiday period
• Tuition waiver for regular employees and their dependents
• Up to two (2) days of remote work per week where the position permits

Annual Salary: (MPEX Grade 05) $73,470.00 - $91,840.00 - $110,210.00

Hours per Week: 33.75 (Full time)

Supervisor: Associate Director, Endowment and Restricted Accounting

Deadline to Apply: 2026-09-03

McGill University hires on the basis of merit and is strongly committed to equity and diversity within its community. We welcome applications from racialized persons/visible minorities, women, Indigenous persons, persons with disabilities, ethnic minorities, and persons of minority sexual orientations and gender identities, as well as from all qualified candidates with the skills and knowledge to productively engage with diverse communities. McGill implements an employment equity program and encourages members of designated groups to self‑identify. Persons with disabilities who anticipate needing accommodations for any part of the application process may contact, in confidence, [e-mail].

McGill receives a Platinum STARS rating in sustainability, is among Canada’s greenest employers, and is a top Montreal Employer.