Research Institute Financial Officer (TERM)

University of Toronto; Toronto; On-site; CAD 86,000 - 111,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading Canadian university is seeking a Financial Coordinator to manage and oversee research grants and contracts. The successful candidate will have a Bachelor's degree and at least four years of relevant experience in financial management within an academic setting. Responsibilities include budget monitoring, analysis of financial reports, and ensuring adherence to funding guidelines. This full-time term position offers a competitive salary and the opportunity to work in a collaborative environment.

Qualifications

• Minimum four years of financial experience related to research grants in a university.
• Experience processing payroll accurately and maintaining HRIS systems.
• Demonstrated work experience in accounting, including payroll and reconciliation.

Responsibilities

• Forecast, plan, and monitor multiple complex budgets.
• Analyze complex financial reports for decision-making.
• Monitor and report on funding accounts for grants.

Skills

Financial analysis

Communication skills

Attention to detail

Team player

Experience with MS Office

Education

Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration, Finance, or Accounting

Tools

MS Excel

Job description

Overview

Date Posted: 10/22/2025
Req ID: 45675
Faculty/Division: Faculty of Arts & Science
Department: Can. Inst for Theoretical Astrophysics
Campus: St. George (Downtown Toronto)
Position Number: 00055850

Description

Your opportunity:

The Canadian Institute for Theoretical Astrophysics (CITA) is a nationally supported research institute and a non-profit corporation (CITA Inc.). Our mission is to foster interaction within the Canadian astrophysics community and to serve as an international centre of excellence for theoretical studies in astrophysics. We educate and develop the next generation of scientific leaders with national postdoctoral fellowships as well as postdoctoral and senior research associate fellowships, and through the supervision of undergraduate and graduate students. We are devoted to studying the origin and evolution of the universe and the many phenomena revealed by modern astronomy.

Under the general direction of the Department Manager, the incumbent will work with CITA\'s academic research team to oversee and coordinate the institute\'s research grants and contracts, which are complex and varied in scope.

Your responsibilities will include:

• Forecasting, planning and monitoring multiple complex budgets
• Analyzing complex statistical reports and/or financial information for management decision-making
• Conducting detailed analysis of grant application policy to maximize research funding
• Monitoring, recording, reconciling and/or reporting on funding accounts for grants and contracts
• Liaising with internal contacts to resolve restricted fund administration and reporting issues
• Generating standard financial reports

Essential Qualifications

• Bachelor\'s Degree in Business Administration, Finance and/or Accounting or acceptable combination of equivalent education and experience
• Minimum four years of recent and relevant financial experience related to research grants and contracts in a university academic department
• Demonstrated work experience in accounting up to and including payroll, account reconciliation, and preparation of financial statements
• Demonstrated strong knowledge of general accounting principles and procedures
• Demonstrated work experience interpreting and applying financial policies
• Proven experience with compiling, investigating, and analyzing financial information as well as making recommendations based on outcome of analyses
• Demonstrated experience interpreting and adhering to granting agencies\’ funding guidelines and policies
• Experience with financial forecasting analysis abilities
• Demonstrated experience processing payroll accurately and maintaining up-to-date employee information in the HRIS system
• Experience processing purchase orders and performing PCard transaction reconciliation
• Highly proficient in using MS Office, with advanced skills in MS Excel
• Excellent communication skills, both oral and written; ability to communicate and work cohesively across a wide range of stakeholders
• Advanced experience with University\'s Administrative Management System (FIS, DIS, RIS, and HRIS), or other similar systems
• Must have attention to detail and must be accurate in performing work
• Demonstrated tact, initiative and good judgement

To be successful in this role you will be

• Accountable
• Communicator
• Efficient
• Meticulous
• Organized
• Responsible
• Team player

Important Notes

• This is a term position ending October 2026.
• This role may be eligible for an Alternative Work Arrangement in accordance with the University of Toronto’s Alternative Work Arrangements Guideline.
• If you are a current USW staff member, please apply using the "Current Staff Apply Here" button on the University of Toronto Careers page.

Closing Date: 10/30/2025, 11:59PM ET
Employee Group: USW
Appointment Type: Budget - Term
Schedule: Full-Time
Pay Scale Group & Hiring Zone: USW Pay Band 13 -- $86,340, with an annual step progression to a maximum of $110,415. Pay scale and job class assignment is subject to determination pursuant to the Job Evaluation/Pay Equity Maintenance Protocol.

Job Category: Finance/Budget/Planning/Audit
Recruiter: Carolyn Wright

Lived Experience Statement
Candidates who are members of Indigenous, Black, racialized and 2SLGBTQ+ communities, persons with disabilities, and other equity deserving groups are encouraged to apply, and their lived experience shall be taken into consideration as applicable to the posted position.