Finance Service Partner

University of Alberta; Edmonton; Hybrid; CAD 73,000 - 122,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Comprehensive benefits package

Job summary

The University of Alberta is seeking a Finance Partner to provide strategic financial solutions and advisory services to deans, faculty leaders, and senior staff. The role emphasizes collaboration with COEs, Shared Services, and academic leadership to shape multi-year financial plans and budgets.

Reporting to a Senior Finance Partner, you will oversee budgeting, forecasting, and financial reporting, while driving improvements in processes and training on policies.

Qualifications

• Strong analytical and problem solving skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication abilities.
• Experience with financial reporting and budgeting processes.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic financial advice and reporting to senior leadership.
• Develop variance analysis, forecasting, and budgeting analyses.
• Support process improvements and training on financial policies and procedures.

Skills

Financial analysis

Budgeting

Communication

French language

Education

Degree in business or related field with a professional accounting designation (CA, CMA, CGA, CPA)

Job description

Job Description

Location

This role is hybrid with a mix of remote and in-person. Work primarily takes place at North Campus, Edmonton.

Are you an ambitious, collaborative and service-focused professional who loves to work in a dynamic and challenging environment? Someone who is excited by change and new challenges? Reporting to a Senior Finance Partner, the Finance Partners are responsible for the delivery of strategic financial solutions and advice to the leaders, faculty and staff within their client portfolios across the faculties and service units.

As a Finance Partner, you will act as a strategic professional advisor to the dean, faculty general manager, or other senior leaders such as Associate Vice President within your portfolio. You will collaborate with your fellow service partners, the Centres of Expertise (COE’s) within Finance, Procurement & Planning and the Shared Services Centre to foster collaborative relationships, leading and delivering on strategic initiatives while managing a large breadth of client services.

Responsibilities

• Provide professional level financial advice to general managers, directors, managers, and supervisors on financial matters including interpretation of University financial policies and procedures.
• Representing as a financial expert in the strategic planning process in the assigned area(s) Develop regular financial reporting and ad hoc reporting to assist senior management in strategic decision making including preparation of variance analysis and forecasting to highlight issues.
• Provide continuous support by recommending and developing improvements in financial processes and procedures.
• Be an expert for financial matters including providing training on financial policies, procedures, and processes.
• Monitor/oversee key financial data and analytics for assigned areas.
• Work with academic leadership to set the annual and multi-year financial plan and budget for the area.
• Coordinate the annual budget planning and allocation process for assigned area(s) ensuring alignment with short term and long term priorities.
• Support the preparation of budgeting assumptions, targets, contingency plans and risk mitigation.
• Coordinate the area’s year end processes including accurate accruals, performance of variance analysis and maintenance of appropriate documentation and audit trail.
• Formal and informal presentations which may include presenting financial results to Senior Leadership and facilitating learning opportunities.
• Maintain productive relationships with colleagues in the Service Centre/Processing Hub, Finance Centres of Expertise, and across the Partnership team including continuous collaboration with the Senior Finance Partners to ensure consistency and implementation of organizational initiatives.
• Provide cost estimates, including modeling or similar for new activities, or changes to programs or services.
• Understanding contracts and grant agreements, including preparation of financial reporting for external sponsors.

Qualifications

• Degree in business or related field with a professional accounting designation (CA, CMA, CGA, CPA). Equivalent combinations of education and experience will be considered.
• 3-5 years of related experience.
• Strong analytical, problem solving and critical thinking skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Self-motivated with the ability to work both independently as well as play a role within a cohesive team of professionals.
• Extensive knowledge of financial reporting and budgeting especially as it pertains to financial performance measurement.
• Ability to perform financial functions within an organization subject to various internal and external policies, procedures and regulations.
• Ability to communicate fluently in French would be considered an asset.
• Experience in building financial models would be considered an asset.
• Experience in project cost analysis would be considered an asset.
• Experience working in post-secondary institution or public sector would be considered an asset.
• Experience working with Public Sector Accounting Standards (PSAS) would be considered an asset.

This position has a comprehensive benefits package and an annual salary range of $73,388 to $122,307.

The terms and conditions of this appointment are governed by Schedule F of the collective agreement between the Board of Governors of the University of Alberta and the Association of Academic Staff of the University of Alberta.

About Us

The University of Alberta, its buildings, labs and research stations are primarily located on the territory of Néhiyaw (Cree), Niitsitapi (Blackfoot), Métis, Nakoda (Stoney), Dene, Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) and Anishinaabe (Ojibway/Saulteaux), lands that are now known as part of Treaties 6, 7 and 8 and homeland of the Métis. The University of Alberta respects the sovereignty, lands, histories, languages, knowledge systems and cultures of all First Nations, Métis, and Inuit. The University of Alberta is a community of knowledge seekers, change makers and world shapers who lead with purpose each and every day. We are home to over 14,000 faculty and staff, more than 40,000 students and a growing community of 300,000 alumni worldwide. Your work will have a meaningful influence on a fascinating cross-section of people - from our students and community members, to our renowned researchers and innovators, making discoveries and generating solutions that make the world healthier, safer, stronger and more just. Learn more.

At the University of Alberta, we are committed to creating an inclusive and accessible hiring process for all candidates. If you require accommodations to participate in the interview process, please let us know at the time of booking your interview and we will make every effort to accommodate your needs.

We thank all applicants for their interest; however, only those individuals selected for an interview will be contacted.

All University employees have a responsibility to foster a workplace that prioritizes safety in all its forms—physical, cultural, and psychological. This is achieved by promoting a safe environment, adhering to all safety laws, policies and procedures, completing all required safety training, identifying hazards and implementing controls, reporting incidents, and contributing to a culture of belonging and respect, while endeavoring to ensure that all colleagues feel valued and safe to express their thoughts, perspectives and concerns.

The University of Alberta is committed to creating a university community where everyone feels valued, barriers to success are removed, and thriving connections are fostered. We welcome applications from all qualified persons. We encourage women, First Nations, Métis and Inuit persons, members of visible minority groups, persons with disabilities, persons of any sexual orientation or gender identity and expression, and all those who may contribute to the further diversification of ideas and the University to apply. L’Université de l’Alberta s’engage à créer une communauté universitaire où chaque personne se sent valorisée, où les obstacles à la réussite sont éliminés et où des connexions enrichissantes peuvent se développer. Nous accueillons les demandes de toutes les personnes qualifiées. Nous encourageons les femmes; Premières nations, Métis et Inuits; membres des groupes minoritaires visibles; personnes handicapées; personnes de toute orientation sexuelle ou identité et expression de genre; et toutes les personnes qui peuvent contribuer à la diversification des idées et à l'université à postuler.

About The Team

Finance, Procurement and Planning is responsible for financial reporting, resource planning, procurement, investments & treasury, and risk management & insurance. We have a team of service partners who work closely with the faculties, units and staff across the institution to provide excellent client service.