Senior Financial Analyst

McMaster University; Hamilton; On-site; CAD 85,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

McMaster University in Hamilton, ON, seeks a Senior Financial Analyst to lead financial accounting, reporting and analysis for a diverse portfolio of research projects. You will coordinate procurement, budgeting and compliance while partnering with faculty and staff across the university.

The role requires a bachelor’s degree in Accounting/Finance and a minimum of three years of relevant experience; CPA or MBA is desirable. Strong communication and leadership skills are essential.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Business, Finance or related field.
• Minimum 3 years of relevant experience.
• CPA designation or MBA pursued or in progress is desirable.

Responsibilities

• Lead financial accounting, reporting and analysis for multiple projects.
• Oversee year-end activities related to financial reporting, tax and compliance.
• Coordinate procurement, budgeting and reporting across departments.
• Provide financial oversight for audits by external bodies and internal offices.
• Develop and document best practices for accurate reporting and controls.

Skills

Financial analysis

Budgeting

Financial reporting

Procurement

Audit support

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Accounting/Finance

CPA or MBA desired

Tools

Excel

Word

PowerPoint

Outlook

Job description

On-Site Monday to Friday, 8:30am to 4:30pm.

Bachelors degree in Accounting, Business, Finance or related field.

Requires 3 years of relevant experience.

JD Number

JD1579

Anticipated Start Date

December 2026

Job Description

Should the successful applicant be a Unifor Unit 1 bargaining unit member, who meets the eligibility conditions of Article 19.02 of the Unifor Unit 1 Collective Agreement, then the Limited Term Assignment will be defined as a Career Growth Opportunity in accordance with Article 19 of the Unifor Local 5555 Unit 1 Collective Agreement.

JD1579

Unit Description:

The McMaster Institute for Research on Aging (MIRA) serves as McMaster University's hub for aging research initiatives and programs. MIRA is home to several major research platforms and programs, including the Canadian Longitudinal Study on Aging (CLSA).

The CLSA is one of the largest and most comprehensive studies of aging ever undertaken in Canada. This national, long-term study follows approximately 50,000 participants who were between the ages of 45 and 85 at recruitment, tracking their health and well-being over a period of at least 20 years. Through the collection of biological, medical, psychological, social, lifestyle, and economic data, the CLSA aims to advance understanding of the factors that contribute to healthy aging and the development of disease and disability over time.

MIRA and the CLSA are seeking a Senior Financial Analyst to lead financial accounting, procurement, reporting, budgeting, and financial analysis activities in support of multiple research projects and initiatives. Working collaboratively with faculty, staff, and national partners across MIRA's and CLSA's network, the successful candidate will provide leadership and oversight for all financial aspects of a diverse portfolio of research programs and initiatives.

Job Summary:

Responsible for leading financial accounting, reporting and analysis. Demonstrate specialized knowledge and understanding of generally accepted accounting principles, compliance, tax, financial policies and procedures. Providing full accounting services and reporting for external corporations and agencies. Act as a subject matter expert on key financial reporting, accounting, tax and compliance.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Perform advanced levels of analysis, problem solving and research skills to formulate solutions to complex business needs.
• Coordinate and lead year end activities related to key financial reporting, accounting, tax and compliance activities.
• Coordinate deliverables with other key parties across the university, including management.
• Responsible for Financial Reporting software including designing database specifications, and recommending database structure to meet reporting and compliance needs.
• Coach and mentor junior staff in order to ensure a highly motivated and technically competent team. Including direct training of student employees.
• Develop, implement and document best practises to align with departmental and University strategies and processes.
• Review and approve journal entries prepared and performed across the university, utilizing specialized accounting and financial reporting principles to ensure appropriate treatment. As discrepancies are identified, responsible for collaborating with key parties to understand underlying nature of the activity, performing review based on key guidance and working with party to ensure appropriate accounting and tax treatment.
• Primary contact and lead for audits and financial reporting requirements as required by external agencies (including CRA, COU), as well as internal offices (i.e. Research, Facilities, Real Estate Anciliary Operations and Partnerships “REAP”)
• Educate and inform faculty, staff, researchers and other key business leaders of related reporting, accounting, tax and compliance guidance and advice.
• Review special report submissions, as prepared and reviewed by department leadership, challenging reporting and treatment, providing recommendations prior to review and approval by CFO.
• Identify gaps in transactional or reporting controls and work to develop approaches to address them and/or implement corrective action.
• Act at the subject matter expert for planning and modification of People Soft Financials and Supply Chain Management (FSCM) module, including implementation of additional modules.
• Develop customized complex spreadsheets for ad-hoc reports, queries, and financial analysis.
• Responsible for sections of the multi-year financial projections and consolidated budget, including writing the narrative.
• Works with colleagues across the university to develop, recommend and implement structures, policies, processes, programs and resources to ensure accurate, consistent and complete external financial reporting for the University’s annual financial audit and various compliance audits.
• Supporting the capital fund and internal loan management process by monitoring, reporting and projecting the McMaster Capital Reserve and Central Bank as required.
• Responsible for the coordination and compilation of various financial reports reviewed and approved by the CFO. e. Responsible to plan key inputs, with work back schedule, collaborating with key parties across the university to ensure the return is prepared accurately. As new information is required by the external governance bodies (i.e. CRA, GAAP), individual to understand new standards and works with key parties to ensure information provided meets new compliance guidelines, guiding them through systems to capture accurate and applicable data.
• Act as the primary contact for reviews or audits by external agencies (including CRA, COU), as well as internal offices.
• Responsible to establish and lead user training on HST, compliance and financial reporting matters.
• Apply specialized tax knowledge and accounting principles to review, intrepret and provide recommendations on accounting and tax treatment.
• oordinate various deliverables, working with external consultant and partners across the University (i.e. Treasury, Facilities, REAP) and external auditors. Leading the planning of the schedule of work, establishing key working papers, compiling information and providing recommendations to management on appropriate compliance and accounting treatment.

Supervision:

• Provide functional guidance to others on an ongoing basis
• Ensures adherence to quality standards and procedures for short-term staff

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Business, Finance or related field.
• Requires a minimum of 3 years of relevant experience.
• ossesses or is actively working towards a professional designation (i.e. CPA) or MBA.

Additional Information:

The successful candidate will have the following experience, knowledge and skills

• Demonstrated experience managing the full spectrum of project financial operations, including financial processes, procurement, accounts payable, and sub-agreement payments.
• Extensive experience overseeing procurement activities through Mosaic and MacBuy, including purchase orders, service contracts, ICQs, corporate credit cards, petty cash, receiving, and commitment reconciliations.
• Strong knowledge and experience in financial reconciliation, analysis, and reporting for multiple projects, programs, and funding sources.
• Proven ability to manage salary administration across multiple projects, including reconciliations, HR event forms, and salary reallocations through journal entries.
• Experience leading financial management, budgeting, and reporting for large-scale, multi-site grants, including Canada Foundation for Innovation (CFI) funding and Infrastructure Operating Fund allocations.
• Demonstrated ability to monitor, analyze, and reconcile weekly and monthly operational expenditures.
• Experience coordinating and managing travel and related financial activities for faculty and research personnel.
• Proven experience providing financial oversight and strategic support for complex, multi-million-dollar research portfolios.
• Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Exceptional organizational, time management, and diplomatic skills, with the ability to manage competing priorities effectively.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently, multitask, and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Office applications, including Excel, Word, PowerPoint, and Outlook

Employment Equity Statement

McMaster University is located on the traditional territories of the Haudenosaunee and Mississauga Nations and within the lands protected by the “Dish With One Spoon” wampum agreement.

The diversity of our workforce is at the core of our innovation and creativity and strengthens our research and teaching excellence. In keeping with its Statement on Building an Inclusive Community with a Shared Purpose, McMaster University strives to embody the values of respect, collaboration and diversity, and has a strong commitment to employment equity.

The University seeks qualified candidates who share our commitment to equity and inclusion, who will contribute to the diversification of ideas and perspectives, and especially welcomes applications from indigenous (First Nations, Métis or Inuit) peoples, members of racialized communities, persons with disabilities, women, and persons who identify as 2SLGBTQ+.

As part of McMaster’s commitment, all applicants are invited to complete a confidential Applicant Diversity Survey through the online application submission process. The Survey questionnaire requests voluntary self-identification in relation to equity-seeking groups that have historically faced and continue to face barriers in employment. Please refer to the Applicant Diversity Survey - Statement of Collection for additional information.

Job applicants requiring accommodation to participate in the hiring process should contact:

At McMaster University, we believe in a comprehensive and inclusive interview process. Our interview methods encompass a variety of approaches that allow our hiring teams to provide a flexible and accessible experience for engaging with our candidates. Throughout your recruitment process at McMaster, you may be requested to participate in a variety of formats, that may include in-person, virtual or recorded interviews. If you have any questions as you move through the hiring process, please reach out to [e-mail] or the HR contact associated with your position of interest.

AI Statement

McMaster and its third-party partners may use AI tools to screen, assess, or select applicants during the hiring process. Please note that currently our recruitment platform does not use AI nor is it part of our current recommended recruitment process.