Programs Financial Manager

Ontario University Athletics; Guelph; On-site; CAD 30,000 - 42,000; Part time

Job summary

University of Guelph's Arrell Food Institute seeks an experienced Financial Manager to support externally funded programs, focusing on SF4C. The role reports to the Director of Programs and collaborates with the program team to provide financial administration, reporting and analysis while ensuring contract and procurement compliance.

The successful candidate will have strong financial acumen, sound judgment and a service-oriented approach to navigating university and funder requirements.

Qualifications

• Undergraduate degree in business, finance, or accounting.
• CPA designation or equivalent education and experience.
• At least three years of relevant financial experience, preferably in university or externally funded environment.
• Strong budgeting, forecasting, reconciliation and variance analysis skills.
• Experience interpreting financial policies and funder requirements; Tri-Agency familiarity is an asset.
• Analytical, problem-solving, and organizational skills with ability to exercise independent judgment.
• Advanced Excel skills and experience with financial reporting systems.
• Experience supporting procurement, contracts or service agreements is an asset.

Responsibilities

• Manage day-to-day financial administration including transactions, expense claims, invoicing, receivables and reconciliations.
• Monitor budgets, expenditures, revenues and commitments; prepare reports, forecasts and variance analyses.
• Identify and resolve financial discrepancies and budget pressures.
• Interpret and apply University, Tri-Agency and funder policies.
• Support procurement and administration of funding agreements, contracts and service agreements.
• Maintain audit-ready financial records and track reporting obligations.
• Collaborate with University units, funders and partners to provide practical financial guidance.
• Improve financial tracking, reporting and administrative processes.

Skills

Budgeting

Forecasting

Variance analysis

Analytical thinking

Communication

Organizational skills

Independent judgment

Education

Bachelor's degree in business administration, finance, or accounting

CPA designation or equivalent

Tools

Excel

Financial reporting systems

Job description

Department: Arrell Food Institute

This position is classified under the Grant & Trust Professional Group

Temporary part-time from 09/21/2026 to 09/20/2028

(Less than 24 hours a week)

If you are a current employee of the University of Guelph you must apply on the internal Career Page in order to be considered as an internal applicant.

General Purpose

The Arrell Food Institute (AFI) at the University of Guelph is seeking an experienced financial manager to support its portfolio of externally funded programs , with a primary focus on Sustainable Food Systems for Canada (SF4C), a national initiative funded through the Government of Canada's Lab to Market program . Reporting to the Director of Programs and working closely with AFl's team of Program Managers, the Financial Manager will provide financial administration, reporting and analysis, while supporting procurement and the development and administration of agreements and contracts with partners and service providers . The successful candidate will bring strong financial skills, sound judgment and a practical , service - oriented approach to navigating complex institutional and funder requirements . This is expected to be a 0 . 5 FTE position .

Duties and Responsibilities

• Manage day - to - day financial administration, including transactions, expense claims, invoicing, receivables and account reconciliation .
• Monitor budgets, expenditures, revenues and commitments and prepare financial reports, forecasts and variance analyses .
• Identify and resolve financial discrepancies, risks, ineligible expenses and emerging budget pressures .
• Interpret and apply University, Tri-Agency and funder policies and requirements .
• Support procurement and the financial administration of funding agreements, contracts and service agreements .
• Maintain accurate , audit-ready financial records and track reporting obligations .
• Work with University units, funders , partners and program teams to resolve issues and provide practical financial guidance .
• Improve financial tracking, reporting and administrative processes .

Requirements

• Undergraduate degree in business administration, finance , accounting, or a related discipline .
• Chartered Professional Accountant ( CPA) designation or equivalent education and experience .
• At least three years of relevant financial experience, preferably in a university, public - sector or externally funded environment.
• Strong experience with budgeting, forecasting, reconciliation, financial reporting and variance analysis .
• Experience interpreting financial policies, funding agreements and expenditure requirements; familiarity with Tri - Agency requirements is an asset.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, communication and organizational skills, with demonstrated ability to exercise independent judgment.
• Advanced Excel skills and experience with financial reporting systems .
• Experience supporting procurement, contracts or service agreements is an asset.

Employee Type:Temporary

Position Number:10927954
Classification: Grant/ Trust fund position, P&M FT- Band 05

At the University of Guelph, fostering a culture of inclusion is an institutional imperative. The University invites and encourages applications from all qualified individuals, including from groups that are traditionally underrepresented in employment, who may contribute to further diversification of our Institution.