Research Financial Analyst

uwaterloo; Southwestern Ontario; On-site; CAD 62,000 - 77,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of Waterloo is seeking a Research Financial Analyst to manage a portfolio of research accounts for a group of researchers. You will prepare financial statements, manage sponsor guidelines, and liaise with researchers and administrators to ensure compliance.

In this 2-year secondment/contract opportunity, you will set up new accounts, monitor reporting deadlines, and prepare invoices and reports according to award agreements, contributing to financial stewardship across research

Responsibilities

• Manage and foster relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
• Primary point of contact between researchers and research administrators for financial advice, guidance and queries pertaining to research accounts.
• Communicate regularly and proactively with researchers in person, by e-mail or by telephone to discuss progress on their accounts.
• Provide advice and assistance to researchers and their departmental/faculty administrators on sponsor guidelines or university policy as it pertains to research.
• Communicate with external research sponsors regarding interpretation of guidelines or reporting requirements and resolution of specific project needs/concerns/issues.
• Liaise with Office of Research pre-awards colleagues regarding clarifications or amendments to research agreements/contracts.
• Liaise with other UW academic support units to ensure appropriate management of research funds.
• Set up of new research accounts.
• Review, gain an understanding of and approve new research projects through the research awards management system ( InfoEd ).
• Liaise with Office of Research pre-awards colleagues regarding new or unusual areas of the research agreement.
• Set up budget, overhead and encumbrance journal entries in accordance with specific requirements of the award agreement.
• Notify the Principal Investigator (PI) of the key financial reporting requirements and sponsor guidelines of the specific research project.
• Financial administration and management of research accounts.
• Ensure that reporting schedules are met by proactively tracking project schedules and reporting deadlines for assigned accounts to ensure that reporting deadlines are met.
• Prepare invoice requests in accordance with invoicing schedules in the award agreement.
• Prepare financial reporting in the format stipulated by each individual research sponsor.
• Collate appropriate supporting documentation to accompany reports.
• Liaise with representatives of collaborating institutions to ensure that all data/reporting/supporting documentation for a specific project is received on a timely basis.
• Liaise with PIs and/or research project managers and administrators to ensure that any in-kind supporting documentation has been collected from external partners.
• Review in-kind provided by external partners to support research projects to ensure that the documentation provided is appropriate and calculated in accordance with the specific sponsor's requirements.
• Maintain accurate , well organized financial project files.
• Conduct budget variance analysis to identify areas of concern and in conjunction with PI's take appropriate action.
• Analysis of PI's research accounts to assist them in efficiently managing their portfolios and in appropriately spending their research funds.
• Monitor outstanding invoices to ensure that researchers are advised on a timely basis if payment may be an issue so that appropriate action can be taken.
• Monitor accounts that are coming close to their end date to ensure that all funds will be spent appropriately by the end date or that an extension request submitted.
• Ensure that all reporting requirements have been met and all funds have been received.
• Provide advice to PIs over options for resolving surplus or deficit account balances to an alternative eligible account.
• Prepare journal entries to close out the project account ensuring

Job description

At the University of Waterloo, we create and promote a culture where everyone can reach their full potential. As an employee, you get support & opportunities that empower you to advance your career. Explore how we can bring big ideas to life, together. The University is a welcoming workplace for those of all abilities, interests, and expertise. As part of our workforce, you can do what you do best, every day.

Learn more about our recruitment process.

Job Requisition ID: 2026-02809

Time Type: Full time

Employee Group: Staff

Job Category: Financial Planning and Reporting

Employment Type: Temporary

Department: Office of the Vice-President, Research and International - Research Finance II

Hiring Range: $61,954.88 - $77,443.60

Posting Information: This posting is for an existing vacancy.

Term: 2 years

This position is being offered as a Secondment or contract opportunity.

Internal posting closes on October 1, 2026, at 11:59 pm

Job Description:

Primary Purpose

The Research Financial Analyst (RFA) is responsible for the financial administration and management of a portfolio of research accounts for a specific group of researchers. These responsibilities include problem-solving with respect to the management and analysis of a portfolio of research accounts, preparation of financial statements, management of the relationship between and requirements of internal and external stakeholders and ensuring adherence to financial requirements/guidelines specified by sponsors and to University policies.

Key Accountabilities

• Manage and Foster Relationships with Internal and External Stakeholders
• Key point of contact between researchers and research administrators for financial advice, guidance and queries pertaining to research accounts
• Communicate regularly and proactively with researchers in person, by e-mail or by telephone to discuss progress on their accounts
• Provide advice and assistance to researchers and their departmental/faculty administrators on sponsor guidelines or university policy as it pertains to research
• Communicate with external research sponsors regarding interpretation of guidelines or reporting requirements and resolution of specific project needs/concerns/issues
• Liaise with Office of Research pre-awards colleagues regarding clarifications or amendments to research agreements/contracts
• Liaise with other UW academic support units to ensure appropriate management of research funds

Financial Administration and Management of a Portfolio of Research Accounts

• Set up of new research accounts
• Review, gain an understanding of and approve new research projects through the research awards management system ( InfoEd )
• Liaise with Office of Research pre-awards colleagues regarding new or unusual areas of the research agreement
• Set up budget, overhead and encumbrance journal entries in accordance with specific requirements of the award agreement
• Notify the Principal Investigator (PI) of the key financial reporting requirements and sponsor guidelines of the specific research project
• Financial administration and management of research accounts
• Ensure that reporting schedules are met by proactively tracking project schedules and reporting deadlines for assigned accounts to ensure that reporting deadlines are met
• Prepare invoice requests in accordance with invoicing schedules in the award agreement
• Prepare financial reporting in the format stipulated by each individual research sponsor
• Collate appropriate supporting documentation to accompany reports
• Liaise with representatives of collaborating institutions to ensure that all data/reporting/supporting documentation for a specific project is received on a timely basis
• Liaise with PIs and/or research project managers and administrators to ensure that any in-kind supporting documentation has been collected from external partners
• Review in-kind provided by external partners to support research projects to ensure that the documentation provided is appropriate and calculated in accordance with the specific sponsor's requirements
• Maintain accurate , well organized financial project files
• Conduct budget variance analysis to identify areas of concern and in conjunction with PI's take appropriate action
• Analysis of PI's research accounts to assist them in efficiently managing their portfolios and in appropriately spending their research funds
• Monitor outstanding invoices to ensure that researchers are advised on a timely basis if payment may be an issue so that appropriate action can be taken

Closing Research Accounts

• Monitor accounts that are coming close to their end date to ensure that all funds will be spent appropriately by the end date or that an extension request submitted
• Ensure that all reporting requirements have been met and all funds have been received
• Provide advice to PIs over options for resolving surplus or deficit account balances to an alternative eligible account
• Prepare journal entries to close out the project account ensuring