Senior Research Accountant

McMaster University; Hamilton; On-site; CAD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

McMaster University is seeking a financially skilled professional to manage a portfolio of research projects, overseeing budgets, grants, and reporting aligned with university and funding agency policies.

Responsibilities include communicating financial guidelines to researchers, developing budgets, and ensuring compliance across award lifecycles. The role requires collaboration with cross-functional teams and participation in audits and reporting processes.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration or related field.
• Completion of advanced level courses of a recognized Canadian accounting designation.
• Minimum 3 years of relevant experience.
• Estimated Start Date October 19, 2026.

Responsibilities

• Interpret and communicate applicable financial policies, procedures and guidelines to researchers and administrative personnel.
• Develop strategies for improving the efficiency and effectiveness of maximizing fund usage.
• Ensure research submissions, funding agreements, budgets, financial transactions, and financial reports comply with research contracts and current University and granting agency policies.
• Provide financial policy, procedure, and guideline information to cross-functional research groups at inception of award to ensure compliance.
• Review research accounts with researchers and administrative personnel.
• Monitor the financial status of projects.
• Identify and resolve financial issues with projects.
• Assist with internal and external audits by preparing audit files and responding to auditor inquiries.
• Develop financial budgets for submission with grant applications at the pre-award stage.
• Prepare financial projections and make adjustments to budgets throughout the fiscal year.
• Update researchers and administrative personnel on the status of accounts and provide recommendations.
• Develop customized spreadsheets for ad-hoc reports, queries, and financial analysis.

Skills

Budgeting

Financial analysis

Communication

Grant management

Attention to detail

Education

Bachelor's degree in Business Administration

Advanced Canadian accounting designation courses

Job description

Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration or related field.

Completion of advanced level courses of a recognized Canadian accounting designation.

Career Level Requires a minimum of 3 years of relevant experience.

Estimated Start Date October 19, 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.

Responsible for managing the financial activities of a portfolio of research projects involving University commitments, interinstitutional and private sector partnerships, as well as federal and provincial granting agencies.

Duties & Responsibilities

• Interpret and communicate applicable financial policies, procedures and guidelines to researchers and administrative personnel.
  Develop strategies for improving the efficiency and effectiveness of maximizing fund usage.


• Ensure research submissions, funding agreements, budgets, financial transactions, and financial reports comply with research contracts and current University and granting agency policies.


• Provide financial policy, procedure, and guideline information to cross-functional research groups at inception of award to ensure the group proceeds in accordance with University and sponsor policies.


• Review research accounts with researchers and administrative personnel.


• Monitor the financial status of projects.


• Identify and resolve financial issues with projects.


• Assist with internal and external audits by preparing audit files and responding to auditor inquiries.


• Develop financial budgets for submission with grant applications at the pre-award stage.


• Prepare financial projections and make adjustments to budgets throughout the fiscal year.


• Update researchers and administrative personnel on the status of accounts and provide recommendations on how to approach specific issues that need to be resolved.


• Develop customized spreadsheets for ad-hoc reports, queries, and financial analysis.


• Create forecasting and budgeting templates.


• Analyze and assess eligible research space and costs by gathering and compiling construction documents such as blueprints, engineer and architect comments, contribution budgets, and expense details.


• Generate invoices for granting agencies and ensure the collection of funds.


• Notify researchers and administrative personnel of account overdrafts and work with them to clear overdrafts.


• Facilitate and participate in working groups to streamline and improve research finance internal controls and respond to audit recommendations.


• Attend and participate in research group and departmental meetings.


• Develop and deliver training and information sessions.


• Scrutinize research contracts, policies, and guidelines for minor changes.


• Remain current with changes to granting agency policies and inform others of the change in rules for eligibility and administrative processes.


• Maintain the confidentiality of research funding and contract information.

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.

To ensure an ongoing and vibrant University community that meets the needs of our students, staff and faculty and supports the University mission, ability to work on-site continues to be a requirement for most University positions. The University is supportive of exploring flexible work arrangements that effectively balance operational needs and employee interests.

Interview Experience

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.