Financial Planning, Reporting and Commissions Lead

Global University Systems; Niagara Falls; Hybrid; CAD 80,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

University of Niagara Falls Canada (UNF) invites applications for the Financial Planning, Reporting and Commissions Lead in Niagara Falls, ON. You will drive budgeting, forecasting, financial reporting, and commission administration, partnering with Finance, Registration and other teams to strengthen controls and deliver insights.

Ideal candidate has 5+ years in finance, CPA preferred, and strong Excel/ERP skills.

Qualifications

• Degree or Diploma in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, or a related field.
• CPA designation or active progress toward completion is preferred.
• At least 5 years of experience in finance, accounting, financial analysis, or a related role.
• Experience with budgeting, forecasting, and financial reporting.
• Experience in higher education is considered an asset.

Responsibilities

• Assist in the preparation of monthly, quarterly, and annual financial reports.
• Complete assigned month-end and year-end close activities.
• Maintain financial reporting templates and reporting packages.
• Assist with balance sheet reconciliations and financial data validation.
• Support internal and external audit requests.
• Coordinate assigned components of the annual budgeting and forecast process.
• Prepare budget-to-actual variance analysis and supporting schedules.
• Prepare financial models, business cases, and ad hoc analyses.
• Analyze revenue, expenses, enrollment trends, and operational performance.
• Identify trends, risks, and opportunities and communicate findings to management.
• Support departmental budget reviews and financial planning activities.
• Prepare KPI and management reporting dashboards.
• Own and continuously improve the commission process including documented procedures, controls, timelines and approval requirements.
• Supervise and provide day-to-day direction to assigned local and overseas commission staff.
• Coordinate the accurate and timely calculation, review, approval and payment of partner agents commissions.
• Work with Registration, Recruitment and Finance and other stakeholders to investigate and resolve data discrepancies.
• Monitor outstanding commission matters and provide regular status reporting to management.
• Identify control gaps, payment risks, process inefficiencies, and opportunities for automation.
• Assist with system implementations and finance projects.
• Support process automation and reporting enhancements.
• Document procedures and workflow improvements.
• Lead or participate in assigned finance and cross-functional projects

Skills

Microsoft Excel

ERP systems

Analytics

Communication

Education

Bachelor/CPA track preferred

Accounting/Finance degree

Tools

ERP systems

Job description

Financial Planning, Reporting and Commissions Lead

FINANC Niagara Falls, ON, CA

Salary Range: $80,000.00 To $95,000.00 Annually

Role: Financial Planning, Reporting and Commissions Lead

Work Model: Hybrid

Salary Range: $80,000 -$95,000 Reports To: VP Finance

About The Position

The Financial Planning, Reporting and Commissions Lead supports accurate and timely financial reporting, budgeting, forecasting, management analysis, and commission administration. The position reports to the VP Finance and works closely with Finance, Registration, and other operational teams to strengthen financial controls, improve reporting quality, maintain accurate commission payments, and support informed management decision-making.

Key Responsibilities:

• Assist in the preparation of monthly, quarterly, and annual financial reports.
• Complete assigned month-end and year-end close activities.
• Maintain financial reporting templates and reporting packages.
• Assist with balance sheet reconciliations and financial data validation.
• Support internal and external audit requests.

Financial Analysis ( 30%)

• Coordinate assigned components of the annual budgeting and forecast process.
• Prepare budget-to-actual variance analysis and supporting schedules.
• Prepare financial models, business cases, and ad hoc analyses.
• Analyze revenue, expenses, enrollment trends, and operational performance.
• Identify trends, risks, and opportunities and communicate findings to management.
• Support departmental budget reviews and financial planning activities.
• Prepare KPI and management reporting dashboards.

Team Lead Commissions ( 30%)

Own and continuously improve the University commission process including documented procedures, controls, timelines and approval requirements

• Supervise and provide day-to-day direction to assigned local and overseas commission staff
• Coordinate the accurate and timely calculation, reviww, approval and payment of partner agents commissions
• Work with Registration, Recruitment and Finance and other stakeholders to investigate and resolve data discrepancies
• Administer the agent portal and coordinate the resolution of access, data, and reporting issues
• Monitor outstanding commission matters and provide regular status reporting to management
• Own and continuously improve the University commission process including documented procedures, controls, timelines and approval requirements
• Identify control gaps, payment risks, process inefficiencies, and opportunities for automation.

Special Projects & Process Improvements (10%)

• Assist with system implementations and finance projects.
• Support process automation and reporting enhancements.
• Document procedures and workflow improvements.
• Lead or participate in assigned finance and cross-functional projects

Qualifications

Education

• Degree or Diploma in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, or a related field.
• CPA designation or active progress toward completion is preferred

Experience

• At least 5 years of experience in finance, accounting, financial analysis, or a related role.
• Experience with budgeting, forecasting, and financial reporting.
• Experience in higher education is considered an asset.

Technical Skills

• Advanced Microsoft Excel skills including Pivot Tables, XLOOKUP, and financial modelling
• Experience with ERP and financial systems.
• Strong analytical and data management skills.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills

Core Competencies

• Sound judgement
• Ability to reconcile information across multiple systems
• Ability to explain financial results to non-finance staff

Use of AI Disclosure

University of Niagara Falls Canada (UNF), UNF is committed to a fair and transparent recruitment process. While AI tools assist us in identifying and communicating with candidates, applications are reviewed by our dedicated Talent Acquisition team to ensure a thorough evaluation of all candidates.

Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and Accessibility at UNF

The University of Niagara Falls Canada (UNF) is committed to equity, diversity, inclusivity and accessibility within its community and invites applications from all qualified candidates. Racialized persons / persons of color, women, Indigenous People, persons with disabilities, 2SLGBTQIA+ persons, and others who may contribute to the further diversification of ideas are encouraged to apply. We are situated on the traditional territory of the Haudenosaunee, Hatiwendaronk and Anishinaabe peoples. We also acknowledge the many other First Nations, Métis, and Inuit peoples who call this region home. We commit to building relationships based on respect, reciprocity, and reconciliation as we work, learn, and gather on this land. Furthermore, we acknowledge that the Niagara region is situated on treaty land, and we stand with all Indigenous peoples, past and present, in promoting the wise stewardship of the lands on which we live.

All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply.

We will accommodate the needs of applicants and the Ontario Human Rights Code and the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA) throughout all stages of the selection process. Please advise [e-mail] to ensure your accommodation or accessibility needs are supported. Information received relating to accommodation will be maintained confidentially.

We value diversity and strive to create an inclusive environment where all individuals have an equal opportunity to succeed. We comply with all relevant laws and regulations in Ontario and adhere to the highest standards of ethical hiring. We are committed to protecting your personal information and ensuring that all data collected during the recruitment process is handled with the highest level of confidentiality. As part of the recruitment process, selected candidates will be required to successfully complete applicable background and/or credential verifications, or other role-related screenings, in accordance with organizational policy and applicable legislation.