Financial Analyst, Coordinator

Vancouver Island University; Nanaimo; On-site; CAD 85,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Benefits package

Paid holidays

Professional development

Pension plan

Well-being programs

Discounts

Flexible work

Job summary

Vancouver Island University (VIU) is seeking a Financial Analyst, Coordinator to integrate with Central Financial Services and support Financial Planning & Analysis. The role requires CPA designation (or progress) and extensive experience in budgeting, cost recovery, and financial reporting using advanced Excel.

The incumbent will partner with academic and non-academic leaders to forecast, analyze variances, and implement internal controls.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, Business, or Economics with CPA or progress toward CPA; 5+ years in cost recovery and budgets.
• Ability to develop systems, procedures and work instructions for finance functions.
• Able to manage multiple tasks with tight deadlines.
• Strong critical thinking and independent initiative; works in a team.
• Confidentiality and not-for-profit knowledge; public sector familiarity.
• Ability to produce concise financial reports.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder relationships.
• Advanced Excel-based financial analysis.
• Self-motivated; works with minimal supervision.

Responsibilities

• Partner with leaders to provide strategic input on financial functions.
• Provide division forecasts and lead financial reports.
• Review external partnerships, budgets, and contracts.
• Monitor budgets and advise on financial reports.
• Prepare budget information, projections, and reviews.
• Deliver training on FIS and budgets.
• Generate FIS reports and perform variance analysis.
• Develop internal controls and reporting.
• Coach users on financial systems and reports.
• Identify process improvements and implement controls.
• Track overload/extra-hour cost distributions in HRIS.
• Cross-train to provide backup for other analysts.

Skills

Financial analysis

Budgeting

Communication

Teamwork

Education

CPA designation / CPA in progress

Tools

Unit 4 Financial Software

Microsoft Excel

Microsoft Word

Job description

Working in close partnership with academic and non-academic leaders and support staff of their assigned service area(s), the Financial Analyst, Coordinator is an integral part of the university's Central Financial Services and will work within one of the core Finance teams, Financial Planning & Analysis.

Using a high level of technical expertise, demonstrated accuracy and attention to detail, the incumbent will provide strategic input and support for financial and operational activities in accordance with VIU's Financial Services standards, processes, and procedures in addition to governing legislation as well as perform a high volume of in-depth analysis, data entry, process reviews, and apply strong accounting knowledge in several core financial areas.

The incumbent utilizes various financial or accounting systems to prepare, monitor, analyze, and provide strategic input on finance and operations for work orders relating to a broad range of base academic and university operational activities, professional development and training, research, cost recovery, and contract programs.

Duties:

• The following duties and expectations may vary based on the incumbent's assigned service area(s).
• Works in partnership with academic and non-academic unit leaders, providing strategic input and support in matters related to the financial functions.
• Provides consolidated division forecasts to support decision-making and support leadership in the presentation of financial reports.
• Reviews and consults with leadership on external financial partnership arrangements, including building budgets, liaising with contract holders, and contract specialists as required.
• Monitors budgets on an ongoing basis, reviewing financial activity with stakeholders, providing guidance in interpreting financial reports and advice in decision making.
• Prepares budget information, drafts, projections; undertakes budget planning, development, and review; engages in informed discussion about budgets and future plans.
• Provides financial and budget support to specific projects or areas as directed by leadership.
• Provides direction and support to the assigned service area(s) on FIS, financial processes, finance forms, and budgets, including training, updates, and changes in process.
• Generates FIS financial reports, manipulating in Excel as required to meet varied departmental needs.
• Prepare quarterly financial reports and perform variance analysis.
• Work closely with academic and non-academic leaders and Finance staff to provide in-depth analysis of the cause of key financial variances.
• Assist with the development of internal controls and reporting.
• Provide education and support to users of the financial system to promote and foster understanding of the financial reports and how to manage financial resources.
• Redesign and implement processes, procedures, and internal controls where improvements can be made. When new processes are required, apply best practices and technical knowledge to design and propose sustainable policies and procedures.
• Analyze key financial areas on an ongoing basis. Where concerns exist, document issues, investigate possible solutions, recommend course of action, and implement agreed upon solution.
• Identifies, tracks, records, and provides details of overload / additional-hours appointments and cost distribution changes for entry into HRIS by the Appointment Creator.
• Become proficient in the specific processes and cross-train to provide backup support for other analysts or functions within the Finance department.

Required Qualifications:

Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, Business, or Economics, along with a CPA designation or documented progress toward CPA (CMA in progress may also be considered), and at least five years' experience managing complex cost recovery and revenue-based budgets, including preparation, monitoring, analysis, quarterly reviews, and year-end reconciliation using advanced Excel. An equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered.

• Demonstrated ability to plan, organize and develop effective systems work instructions and procedures to support finance functions.
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple tasks, meet mandatory deadlines, and set priorities accurately and efficiently.
• Superior critical thinking skills.
• Demonstrated initiative and independence, while working effectively as part of a team.
• Demonstrated ability to provide confidential service.
• Solid understanding and application of current accounting principles for not for profit, public sector, and charitable organizations.
• Demonstrated ability to produce concise and complex financial reports.
• Must be able to interpret, explain, report on, and provide advice on a variety of accounting, budgetary and financial management issues.
• Effective oral and written communication along with the ability to maintain strong working relationships with all levels of faculty and staff.
• Superior investigative and analytical skills with the ability to identify and implement strategies for improvement.
• Working knowledge of Microsoft Office with exceptional Microsoft Excel skills and demonstrated ability applying Excel to complex financial analysis.
• Candidate must be self-motivated and able to work with minimal supervision within multiple tight deadlines.

Preferred Qualifications:

• A recognized Canadian accounting designation (CPA-CA, CPA-CGA, CPA-CMA), with current membership.
• Knowledge of PSAB standards. Knowledge of Unit 4 Financial Software.
• Direct experience in a post-secondary environment or a publicly funded organization of similar size.

VIU is pleased to offer eligible employees a comprehensive benefit plan; ample paid holiday time; professional development opportunities and a desirable pension plan. As part of the VIU campus community, our employees work with supportive colleagues within an encouraging environment and are provided with the tools and training that promote learning and development. The perks of VIU employment are multiple, and include well-being initiatives and services, strategic discounts, and flexible work opportunities.

Note:

• Short-listed candidates must provide original transcripts, or applicable original certifications at time of interview.
• All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however, Canadians and permanent residents will be given priority.
• Vancouver Island University (VIU) is collectively committed to building and sustaining a diverse and inclusive working and learning environment for faculty, staff, and students. In our journey towards greater diversity, we invite applications from members of equity-seeking communities including women, racialized and Indigenous persons, persons with disabilities, persons of all gender identities and sexual orientations who bring value to the VIU community through their lived experiences. We encourage members of all equity-seeking groups to self-identify within their application cover letter. When a candidate voluntarily discloses this information in their cover letter, the information will be used only for the fulfillment of the career opportunity. Disclosure and/or self-identification with an equity‑seeking group will not lead to advantageous treatment of a candidate who is not qualified.

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