Finance & Payroll Officer

University of Toronto; Toronto; On-site; CAD 76,000 - 98,000; Full time

Job summary

A renowned educational institution in Toronto seeks a Finance & Payroll Officer to support financial management in the materials science department. The candidate will analyze expenditures, monitor budgets, and process payroll according to university guidelines. A bachelor's degree in finance/accounting and three years of relevant experience are required. Strong communication skills and proficiency with financial information systems are essential. This role offers an inclusive workplace culture and a competitive salary range of $76,577 to $97,928.

Qualifications

• Minimum three years of related experience in financial management.
• Experience preparing and processing expense reimbursements.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Analyzing actual expenditures and preparing reports.
• Monitoring department budget to ensure adherence.
• Liaising to resolve accounting and payroll issues.

Skills

Financial management

Budget variance analysis

Communication skills

Data entry

Customer service

Education

Bachelor's degree in commerce, economics, accounting or finance

Tools

Financial Information System (FIS)

Human Resources Information System (HRIS)

Research Information System (RIS)

Job description

Date Posted: 11/03/2025
Req ID: 44984
Faculty/Division: Faculty of Applied Science & Engineering
Department: Dept of Materials Science & Engineering
Campus: St. George (Downtown Toronto)
Position Number: 00058074

About us:

The University of Toronto’s Department of Materials Science & Engineering is at the forefront of addressing global issues that have a direct impact on our lives today. Our cutting‑edge research in advanced materials creates technological solutions for environmental challenges such as climate change, resource depletion and energy availability. Our faculty members are world leaders in materials applications and processing, our commitment to both research and teaching excellence fosters innovative thinking.

Your opportunity:

Reporting to the Director of Administration, the Finance & Payroll Officer will be responsible for supporting the research and financial management at the Department of Materials Science & Engineering. The Finance & Payroll Officer ensures all expenses are processed on time and correctly per University and sponsor’s guidelines, and research sponsor deadlines are met. The incumbent will work with a portfolio of Principal Investigators and will be responsible for their payroll, finance and business affairs.

Your responsibilities will include:

• Analyzing actual expenditures in comparison to budget and preparing reports for financial planning and funding terms compliance
• Generating specialized analyses and reports for financial planning
• Monitoring department budget to ensure expenditures remain within budgeted allocations
• Monitoring, recording, reconciling and/or reporting on funding accounts for grants and contracts
• Analyzing information to identify spending trends and recommend cost‑saving measures
• Applying the University Guide to Financial Management and other applicable policies, agency and regulatory requirements
• Identifying and resolving individual data anomalies and discrepancies
• Liaising with internal contacts to resolve accounting, payroll and/or HRIS processing issues

Essential Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in commerce, economics, accounting or finance, or acceptable combination of equivalent experience.
• Minimum three (3) years of related experience in financial management, including experience working with budget variance reports and experience monitoring fund accounts for grants and contracts.
• Experience using a Financial Information System (FIS), Human Resources Information System (HRIS) and Research Information System (RIS).
• Experience preparing and processing expense reimbursements via CONCUR or similar systems.
• Experience classifying and processing invoices in FIS or equivalent systems.
• Experience processing payroll and troubleshooting and resolving payroll discrepancies.
• Demonstrated commitment to equity, diversity, inclusion and the promotion of a respectful and collegial learning and working environment.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills and ability to communicate complex financial procedures to a range of audiences with varying levels of financial knowledge.
• Demonstrated ability to exercise a high level of confidentiality, professionalism, good judgment, initiative, tact and discretion.
• Ability to organize and prioritize work to meet deadlines and to multitask.
• Excellent communication skills (verbal and written).
• Accurate data entry and attention to detail.
• Highly developed computer skills including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook and SharePoint.
• Self‑motivated, proactive, and demonstrated ability to work independently while also being an effective team player.
• Demonstrated capability to deliver exceptional customer service in a timely manner to students, staff, and academics.

Assets (Nonessential):

• Experience processing payroll for Senior Research Associates and Research Associates (Limited Term).

To be successful in this role you will be:

Closing Date: 11/11/2025, 11:59PM ET
Employee Group: USW
Appointment Type: Budget - Continuing
Schedule: Full-Time
Pay Scale Group & Hiring Zone: USW Pay Band 11 – $76,577. with an annual step progression to a maximum of $97,928. Pay scale and job class assignment is subject to determination pursuant to the Job Evaluation/Pay Equity Maintenance Protocol.
Job Category: Administrative / Managerial

Lived Experience Statement
Candidates who are members of Indigenous, Black, racialized and 2SLGBTQ+ communities, persons with disabilities, and other equity‑deserving groups are encouraged to apply, and their lived experience shall be taken into consideration as applicable to the posted position.

Diversity Statement
The University of Toronto embraces diversity and is building a culture of belonging that increases our capacity to effectively address and serve the interests of our global community. We strongly encourage applications from Indigenous Peoples, Black and racialized persons, women, persons with disabilities, and people of diverse sexual and gender identities. We value applicants who have demonstrated a commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion and recognize that diverse perspectives, experiences, and expertise are essential to strengthening our academic mission.
As part of your application, you will be asked to complete a brief Diversity Survey. This survey is voluntary. Any information directly related to you is confidential and cannot be accessed by search committees or human resources staff. Results will be aggregated for institutional planning purposes. For more information, please see http://uoft.me/UP .

Accessibility Statement
The University strives to be an equitable and inclusive community, and proactively seeks to increase diversity among its community members. Our values regarding equity and diversity are linked with our unwavering commitment to excellence in the pursuit of our academic mission.
The University is committed to the principles of the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA). As such, we strive to make our recruitment, assessment and selection processes as accessible as possible and provide accommodations as required for applicants with disabilities.
If you require any accommodations at any point during the application and hiring process, please contact [e-mail] .