Finance Manager

University of British Columbia - Staff; Vancouver; On-site; CAD 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of British Columbia is seeking a Finance Manager for its Extended Learning unit. This role will oversee financial operations, manage budgeting, and enhance compliance with GAAP while supporting organizational goals through strategic financial management.

Qualifications

• Minimum of three years of related experience.
• Hands-on experience with computer financial systems.
• Ability to maintain accuracy and attention to detail.

Responsibilities

• Develops and manages finance operations, policies, and procedures.
• Oversees budgeting, financial reports, and audits.
• Supervises two accounting clerks, ensuring effective performance management.

Skills

Analytical skills

Communication

Problem-solving

Education

Undergraduate degree in a relevant discipline

Enrollment in CPA Professional Education Program (PEP)

Tools

Workday

Destiny One

Advanced spreadsheet skills

Job description

Staff - Non Union

Job Category M&P - AAPS Job Profile AAPS Salaried - Accounting, Level B Job Title Finance Manager Department Finance Leadership | Extended Learning Compensation Range $6,747.50 - $9,701.42 CAD Monthly

The Compensation Range is the span between the minimum and maximum base salary for a position. The midpoint of the range is approximately halfway between the minimum and the maximum and represents an employee that possesses full job knowledge, qualifications and experience for the position. In the normal course, employees will be hired, transferred or promoted between the minimum and midpoint of the salary range for a job.

Posting End Date June 6, 2025

Note: Applications will be accepted until 11:59 PM on the Posting End Date.

Job End Date

This position is expected to be filled by promotion/reassignment and is included here to inform you of its vacancy at the University.

At UBC, we believe that attracting and sustaining a diverse workforce is key to the successful pursuit of excellence in research, innovation, and learning for all faculty, staff and students. Our commitment to employment equity helps achieve inclusion and fairness, brings rich diversity to UBC as a workplace, and creates the necessary conditions for a rewarding career.

Job Summary

UBC Extended Learning (UBCExL) is the non-credit unit of the University of British Columbia that offers various skill development courses and programs in areas such as Technology, Professional Writing, Languages, and Coaching. Additionally, it manages high school and undergraduate summer programs and delivers online courses through the Edx platform. The unit operates with a budget of approximately $15–20 million.

This position develops, implements, and manages finance operations, policies, and procedures for UBC Extended Learning (UBCExL). It oversees financial and enrolment systems, ensuring integration, accuracy, and compliance with institutional guidelines. The role leads budgeting, prepares financial reports, audits transactions, and enhances workflows while ensuring adherence to GAAP and tax regulations. It provides training to staff, collaborates with IS/IT teams on system integrations, and manages year-end financial processes. Supervising two direct CUPE reports, the position ensures effective performance management and supports UBCExL’s strategic financial management as part of the Management Team (MT). This role plays a critical part in driving financial efficiency and supporting data-informed decision-making across the unit.

Organizational Status

This position reports to the Associate Director of Finance within the VP Academic Portfolio. It interacts and liaises with ExL Directors, Managers, IT, program coordinators, and support staff. The role provides requested backup information to internal and external auditors and communicates with UBC Financial Reporting and Financial Planning and Analysis. Additionally, it connects with other UBC departments and external suppliers as appropriate.

Work Performed

• Develop, implements and manages finance operations policies and procedures within the unit, ensuring alignment with institutional guidelines.

• Oversees and ensures the effective operation of key systems, including ExL enrolment system (Destiny One), Workday ERP, Touchnet (payment gateway), and bank interfaces (RBC), and ensures seamless integration between systems.

• Leads and facilitates the short term and long term budget development process, including establishing fiscal management policies for all areas of UBC ExL.

• Manages financial and accounting procedures critical to accounting decisions, budget development, and year-end processes, ensuring adherence to generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) and compliance with tax regulations.

• Prepares and provides accurate, timely, and complex financial reports to support decision-making across UBC ExL.

• Educates and guides all support areas in ExL on the goals, functions, and applications of financial systems, including providing training to ensure effective usage.

• Analyzes and evaluates existing financial workflows, recommending and implementing process improvements to enhance efficiency and effectiveness.

• Develops and monitors management reporting related to data integrity and evaluates internal accounting controls, policies, and procedures, recommending improvements where necessary.

• Conducts and reviews monthly audits on transactions, investigating and resolving financial discrepancies and ensuring compliance with internal controls.

• Manages the integration of financial systems with the student enrolment system (Destiny One), redesigning and improving mapping architecture to align with the university’s financial system (Workday).

• Collaborates with IS/IT teams in evaluating systems and implementing financial accounting procedures upon system acquisition.

• Provides recommendations and instructions to student services regarding the financial coding of courses and accounts, resolves issues related to course refunds, performs credit card reconciliations, and processes tuition tax receipts.

• Plans and manages quarter-end and year-end financial reporting processes, budget analysis, and the issuance of student tax receipts (T4A and T2202).

• Performs general accounting functions and other duties as required, ensuring alignment with unit objectives and operational goals.

• Supports ad hoc financial projects and requests from ExL leadership and the Associate Director of Finance, contributing to the unit’s strategic financial management.

Consequence of Error/Judgment

Incorrect or poor decisions/judgments can significantly impact the reputation of the University and UBCExL, as well as the financial viability of the latter. Failure to promptly identify errors in the accounting/administrative structure and financial reporting can have a major adverse effect on the quality and efficiency of UBCExL's operations, which in turn affects relations with students, senior administration, and the university community.

Supervision Received

This position reports to the Associate Director of Finance, VPA Academic Portfolio, and exercises judgment in determining when to involve them in problem resolution. Works autonomously without managerial direction in assigned areas. Work is reviewed in terms of sound practice and achievement of specific objectives.

Supervision Given

The role involves directly supervising two accounting clerks and overseeing the Finance/Accounting staff, including responsibilities such as hiring, training, and performance management.

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

• Two years of post-secondary education in financial management, completion of three years in an accredited accounting program (CPA) preferred.

• Hands on experience with computer financial systems and practices with advanced skills in the use of spreadsheets and databases

• Knowledge of Enterprise accounting systems preferably Workday, and Enrolment systems preferably Destiny One

• Strong oral and written communication skills, analytical, problem-solving, decision-making, organizational and teaching skills

• Ability to maintain accuracy and attention to detail working under pressure to meet tight deadlines.

• Ability to work both independently and within a team environment with a positive attitude

• Able to explain difficult concepts clearly and patiently both to those supervised by the position and to more senior personnel