Financial Analyst, University Library

University of Saskatchewan; Saskatoon; Hybrid; CAD 69,000 - 108,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading Canadian research library is seeking a Financial Analyst to manage accounting cycles, budget development, and financial reporting. The ideal candidate will possess a Bachelor of Commerce degree in Accounting and have at least three years of relevant experience. This permanent position requires excellent analytical and communication skills and offers a competitive salary. The role may also offer hybrid work options.

Qualifications

• A Bachelor of Commerce degree specializing in Accounting is required.
• Minimum three years of progressively responsible accounting experience.

Responsibilities

• Oversee the financial transactions associated with library acquisitions.
• Prepare monthly forecasts and variance analyses of the collections budget.
• Develop annual budgets with guidance from the Strategic Business Advisor.

Skills

Knowledge of accounting principles

Financial accounting and reporting skills

Analytical and quantitative skills

Effective communication skills

Education

Bachelor of Commerce degree in Accounting

Tools

Microsoft Office applications, especially Excel

Oracle Banner ERP system

Job description

Overview

Financial Analyst, University Library

As one of Canada’s leading research libraries, the University Library serves as the intellectual hub of USask, providing resources, services, and spaces that facilitate inquiry, discovery, and knowledge creation. The University Library is committed to developing welcoming, responsive, and accessible services and resources to support our diverse clientele, with a strategic focus on Indigenous peoples.

The Financial Analyst provides professional accounting expertise throughout the full accounting cycle including budget development, monthly financial reporting, quarterly forecasting, detailed variance analysis, and year-end reporting. This position will provide accounting and analytical proficiency to support the Strategic Business Advisor (SBA) for Finance with the full range of fund types, including operating, acquisitions, capital, research, endowments and trust funds.

Nature of Work: Reporting to the Associate Dean for Research and Collections (ADR), and under the direction of the SBA, this position is key to the achievement of effective operations, including financial reporting, management accounting, and compliance with applicable laws, regulations, and guidelines. The Financial Analyst has a close working relationship with key positions in the Dean’s office and Collection Services unit. The duties are complex and the consequence of error is high, requiring a high level of attention to detail and involving considerable intellectual demands. The ability to work effectively in an evolving and innovative environment and the ability to balance competing deadlines, priorities and tasks is critical to being successful in the position. The work volume is high and juggling multiple tasks and competing demands is the norm. This position requires considerable professional judgment and excellent communication skills.

Typical Duties or Accountabilities:

• Develops annual budgets with direction from the SBA and incorporates the budget into both the university financial system and the library system’s acquisition module
• Oversees the accuracy of all financial transactions associated with library acquisitions information within the financial reporting systems on a regular basis for effective monitoring and reporting
• Maintains and monitors detailed financial information for the collections budget in a timely and consistent manner in collaboration with the Collection Services team for monthly reviews and strategic decision-making
• Prepares monthly forecast and variance analysis of the collections budget, conducted in collaboration with ADR and Collection Services for internal and institutional reporting
• Supports SBA with any internal or provincial tax and audit-related requests pertaining to collections transactions
• Assists SBA in completing monthly prepaid expenses, data entry and internal and institutional financial reporting requirements for the collections budget, including preparing related working papers, posting journal entries, and monitoring funds
• Ensures review and adherence of associated laws, regulations, policies, and procedures for financial transactions
• Serves as a resource for Resource Acquisition and Collection Management (RACM) within the Collections Services unit for vendor management, including authorization of new vendor accounts for library acquisitions
• Oversees all aspects of invoice processing, daily cash management, and payment card compliance
• Assists SBA in centralizing and streamlining the process for contracts and agreements, ensuring requirements are met, necessary approvals are obtained, and coordination with Procurement is maintained through to finalization and invoice payment
• Maintains endowment, donor, and trust funds pertaining to library collections to ensure adherence to terms of reference, aligns spending with the library acquisition module, and will address operational and logistical needs
• Ensures the effective collection and analysis of statistics for various reporting agencies
• Develops detailed, special-purpose reports to meet the needs of library management
• Leads and contributes to projects and duties as required by the SBA or ADR

Education:

• A Bachelor of Commerce degree, specializing in Accounting. A combination of education and experience may be considered. Completion of a professional accounting program is desired.

Experience:

• Minimum three years progressively responsible accounting and budgeting experience, ideally in a high-volume environment
• Experience with managing accounting information systems, including process and system improvements
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications, including the advanced features of Excel
• Experience using the Oracle Banner ERP system and/or with library acquisitions would be an asset
• Experience leading projects is desired

Skills:

• Thorough knowledge of accounting principles and practices, and the application of internal control processes and procedures, is required
• Possess proficient financial accounting and reporting skills with a high degree of accuracy and attention to detail
• Ability to prepare financial analysis and reports from the source data
• Knowledge of and ability to document and analyze internal control systems
• Ability to interpret and apply rulings pertaining to customs and tax law legislation, policies and procedures internal to the university
• Solid quantitative and analytical skills, applying creative thinking and problem-solving
• Ability to listen to, encourage, and express creative and innovative ideas. Open to new ways of approaching processes, tasks, or problems
• Effective interpersonal and communication skills, both written and verbal
• Proven ability to work on multiple projects with competing demands to meet deadlines
• Demonstrated aptitude for leadership
• Ability to lead change and support others in the change process
• Demonstrated ability to collaborate effectively with others in a team environment
• Ability to recognize, respect, and work effectively with individuals and groups with diverse perspectives and backgrounds
• Takes initiative in learning about language and issues relating to equity and diversity

Department: Library Status: Permanent Employment Group: ASPA Full Time Equivalent (FTE): 1.0 Salary: The salary range, based on 1.0 FTE, is $69,035.00 - 107,868.00 per annum. The starting salary will be commensurate with education and experience. Salary Family (if applicable): Specialist Professional Salary Phase/Band: Phase 2 Posted Date: 9/12/2025 Closing Date: 9/25/2025 at 6:00 pm CST Number of Openings: 1 Work Location: May be eligible for hybrid work under the terms of USask's Alternative Workspace Guidelines

The University of Saskatchewan aspires to be what the world needs and embraces equity, diversity and inclusion as foundational to excellence and innovation. We actively seek to create a welcoming environment where all individuals feel empowered to thrive, contribute, and grow. Applications from equity-deserving groups are encouraged as part of our ongoing efforts to reflect the diversity of the communities we serve: EDI Framework for Action. We continue to grow our partnerships with Indigenous communities across the province, nationally, and internationally and value the unique perspective that Indigenous employees provide to strengthen these relationships. Verification of Indigenous Membership/Citizenship at the University of Saskatchewan is led and determined by the DEYBWEWIN | TAAPWAYWIN | TAPWEWIN: Indigenous Truth policy and the Standing Committee in accordance with the processes developed to enact the policy. Successful candidates that assert Indigenous membership/citizenship will be asked to complete the verification process of Indigenous membership/citizenship with documentation. The University of Saskatchewan provides an accessible and inclusive workplace. Should you require support through any stage of the recruitment process, please contact Human Resources for assistance.