Financial Analyst

Wilfrid Laurier University; Southwestern Ontario; On-site; CAD 89,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading Canadian university based in Southwestern Ontario is seeking a Financial Analyst to provide expert financial support and analysis across multiple units. The ideal candidate will have a CPA designation and experience in finance, with a focus on reporting, budgeting, and client collaboration. This full-time position is essential for maintaining compliance and improving financial strategies across the institution.

Benefits

Flexible work arrangements

Annual step progression

Equity and diversity initiatives

Qualifications

• A minimum of 3 years of experience in a similar financial analyst role.
• Knowledge and experience in financial modelling and data analysis.
• Self-motivated, goal-oriented individual capable of working in a dynamic environment.

Responsibilities

• Lead financial support for client groups and provide recommendations.
• Prepare financial reporting for internal and external compliance.
• Coordinate and prepare multi-year forecasts and analyze budget trends.

Skills

Financial modelling

Data analysis

Advanced Excel skills

Communication skills

Problem-solving

Education

CPA designation

Relevant bachelor's degree

Tools

Millennium

Banner

Cognos

Job description

Position Summary

Reporting to Manager, Budget & Reporting, The Financial Analyst’s (FA) primary responsibility is to be the lead financial support and subject matter expert for the client groups that they support. The current client groups for this position include Library Services, Robert Langen Art Gallery, WLU Press, the Faculty of Music and the Laurier Academy of Music and Arts (LAMA). The position provides accurate and timely financial support and analysis to their respective units via reporting, information dissemination, and recommendations on budgeting and financial strategies and deals with confidential financial information. Additionally, the FA acts as the liaison between the client groups and Financial Resources to ensure compliance with financial management policies and procedures, and external Governance to ensure the use of and development of financial management best practices. The position reports directly to the respective Manager in the Budget & Planning unit with accountability to the client group management. The position may support other administrative, faculty, or ancillary units as required and provides financial support on university and / or departmental wide special projects or initiatives.

This position has a university-wide mandate and is based at the Waterloo Campus. The incumbent provides subject matter expertise to all campuses, requiring regular interpersonal interactions and collaboration with departments at the Waterloo, Brantford and Milton Campus and external partners. Special attention is given to ensure equitable service delivery across all locations.

Accountabilities

Financial Reporting

• Creates, presents and interprets financial reporting to client group Senior Leaders on a regular basis
• Creates custom reporting and budget information to support Faculty, Management and Staff’s specific requirements
• Prepares mandatory external reporting (i.e. Government funding agencies to ensure regulatory compliance)
• Collaborates with various units and individuals across the university to support effective reporting and analysis for internal and external audiences

Forecasting & Analysis

• Analyzes year-over-year trends
• Analyzes budget to actual spending and forecasts actual year-end anticipated results
• Coordinates and prepares multi-year forecasts
• Analyzes non-operating units for profitability
• Analyses and presents options to meet financial challenges
• Supports month-end / year-end completion and analysis as coordinated by Financial Services

Budget Planning & Cost Modelling

• Leads the annual and multi-year strategic budget planning process with client group Senior Leaders
• Creates, oversees and maintains financial models to be used for strategic planning purposes
• Completes budget planning documents required by Central Financial and are responsible for the accuracy of the budget data in the financial ERP system
• Attends budget planning meetings to review prior year challenges and the upcoming financial landscape which will be incorporated into the client group budget planning
• Provides cost modelling information for operating and non-operating initiatives
• Prepares business cases and cost analysis as required

Information Dissemination and Training

• Attends regular Financial Resources and Budget & Planning meetings to exchange information and collaborate on projects / initiatives with the objective of sharing best practices and continuous improvement ideas to incorporate into client group areas
• Attends client group meetings to ensure alignment of priorities between client group and Financial Resources.
• Attends University Town Halls and information sessions related to budgeting and financial matters
• Provides current information to Client groups on :
• Applicable financial policies and procedures
• Collective agreements as they relate to financial matters
• Provides information on budget model allocations (e.g. Responsibility Centre Management (RCM) budget model)
• Provides technical training on an individual basis as requested
• Provides training on the review of financial reports, accounting principles and university financial policies
• Leads and / or participates in financial working groups / committees / project analysis as required
• Leads and / or participates in continuous improvement initiatives

Advising

• Provides advice to client groups on :
• financial implications of budget targets, restructuring, and new operating initiatives
• internal process implementation as it relates to financial requirements and meeting mandated financial objectives (e.g. Cost containment initiatives)
• establishing reconciliation methods
• cash handling procedures, registration for events and conferences
• budget and financial planning matters, policies / procedures, and accounting practices

Qualifications

• A CPA designation is required.
• Minimum 3 years of experience in a similar role.
• Knowledge and experience in financial modelling and data analysis.
• Advanced spreadsheet skills (Excel), and knowledge of other MS office products (Word, PowerPoint) and ERP systems.
• Knowledge of Millennium, Banner, Cognos is an asset.
• Self-motivated, goal-orientated individual who is capable of working in a dynamic and challenging work environment
• Excellent communication, problem solving, time management, and interpersonal skills with a focus on providing exceptional customer service in a team environment.

This position is not eligible for Educational Equivalencies.

Hours of Work

This is a Full-time Limited-term opportunity with an anticipated end date of September 30th ,2027.The normal hours of work are 8 : 30am to 4 : 30pm, Monday to Friday. Flexibility in hours may be required, including evening and / or weekend work due to periods of high volume. When possible, the manager will adjust hours to ensure no more than 35 hours are worked in a week.

This position is eligible for a flexible work arrangement, as per Policy 8.14 (Flexible Work Policy). All arrangement must be approved by the direct manager. In-person attendance for events, as required to meet operational needs, is expected. On occasion, this schedule may need to be adjusted to meet operational requirements.

Compensation

• Level : F
• Rate of Pay : $46.70 - $49.38 ($84,994 - $89,871.6 per annum) with an annual step progression on anniversary date upto$53.37 per hour

Considerations for new hire step placements include, qualifications and length / depth of required experience, relevant market rates for similar jobs, internal equity, and estimated learning curve in starting the job.

Wilfrid Laurier University endeavors to fill positions with qualified candidates who have a combination of education, experience, skills and abilities to successfully perform the duties of the position while demonstrating Laurier's Employee Success Factors.

Equity, diversity and creating a culture of inclusion are part of Laurier’s core values and central to the Laurier Strategy. Laurier is committed to increasing the diversity of faculty and staff and welcomes applications from candidates who identify as Indigenous, racialized, having disabilities, and from persons of any minority sexual and gender identities. Indigenous candidates who would like to learn more about equity and inclusive programing at Laurier are welcomed to contact the Office of Indigenous Initiatives. Candidates from other equity deserving groups who would like to learn more about equity and inclusive programing at Laurier are welcomed to contact Equity & Accessibility. We have strived to make our application process accessible, however if you require any assistance applying for a position or would like this job posting in an alternative format, please contact Human Resources. Contact information can be found at

Should you be interested in learning more about this opportunity, please visit for additional information and the online application system. All applications must be submitted online. Please note, a resume and cover letter will be required in electronic form.