Analyst Jobs in Vancouver, BC

Job Summary

The role of the Financial Analyst is to support the Director of Finance, Academic portfolio, and Sr. Financial Analysts in managing the financial processes and resource allocations in the Academic Finance portfolio. The Academic portfolio includes the Departments, Schools, Centres and Institue under Faculty of Medicine. We work closedly with the Unit heads, administration, faculty, staff and students. The Financial Analyst plays an integral role in performing specialized financial analysis to support decision making, participating in financial planning, monitoring financial activities and administering financial policies for Academic portfolio.

Responsibilities include: independently managing core accounting functions; budget planning and monitoring; development and monitoring of financial control systems; managing financial planning and cost analysis and analyzing financial data to ensure efficient use of resources; management of various funds including managing deficits that may result from programs and units operations; developing and generating comprehensive financial reports; providing recommendations on financial issues and system processing; analyzing financial operations to make recommendation for improvement; developing effective processes , systems and procedures for the research program; managing month-end and year-end financial activities; and performing other related duties which vary from day to day and will involve a wide variety of tasks covering financial activities of the research program. Provides financial analysis and recommendations to support budget negotiations with industry sponsors.

Organizational Status

The University of British Columbia is a global centre for research and teaching, consistently ranked among the top 20 public universities in the world. Since 1915, UBC’s entrepreneurial spirit has embraced innovation and challenged the status quo. UBC encourages its students, staff and faculty to challenge convention, lead discovery and explore new ways of learning. At UBC, bold thinking is given a place to develop into ideas that can change the world.

Our Vision: To Transform Health for Everyone

Ranked among the world’s top medical schools with the fifth-largest MD enrollment in North America, the UBC Faculty of Medicine is a leader in both the science and the practice of medicine. Across British Columbia, more than 12,000 faculty and staff are training the next generation of doctors and health care professionals, making remarkable discoveries, and helping to create the pathways to better health for our communities at home and around the world.

The Faculty—comprised of approximately 2,200 administrative support, technical/research and management and professional staff, as well approximately 650 full-time academic and over 10,000 clinical faculty members—is composed of 19 academic basic science and/or clinical departments, 3 schools, and 25 research centres and institutes. Together with its University and Health Authority partners, the Faculty delivers innovative programs and conducts research in the areas of health and life sciences. Faculty, staff and trainees are located at university campuses, clinical academic campuses in hospital settings and other regionally based centres across the province.

The UBC Vancouver Campus is located on the traditional, ancestral, and unceded territory of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam) people. The City of Vancouver is located on Musqueam, Squamish, and Tsleil-Waututh First Nations territory.

Work Performed
Provides support for the strategic financial directions of the Academic Finance Portfolio.

As a member of the Academic Finance team, advises Academic Finance Portfolio unit leaders (Unit heads and administration) on human and financial resource strategic planning and budgeting.

Plans, coordinates, prepares, recommends and implements activities to improve financial efficiencies.

Prepares quarterly and annual financial reports for the portfolio. Reviews and analyzes revenue and expenditure variances and highlights anomalies. Troubleshoots problems to resolution and follows up on problems with appropriate programs and units.

Meets regularly with the team to establish objectives and priorities and to develop and recommend financial models, plans and strategies to improve programs and units operations.

Provides strategic financial analysis to support priority initiatives and prepares funding allocation and distribution. Updates forecasts and budgets in financial system based on monthly reconciliations and regular financial planning meeting with the programs and units-responsible for planning, forecasting and analyzing the programs operational costs to ensure the units and programs are meeting short term resourcing and long term sustainability.

Prepares financial analyses, summaries, variance and cost control report for the team.

Provides financial advice and recommendations to the programs and units.

Provides advice and support in all financial management.

Develops and implements policies and procedures relating to effective management of financial resources. Makes recommendations regarding financial processes and procedures in the portfolio.

Interprets and monitors financial policies and procedures established by UBC and the granting agencies that affect the use of grant funds, and ensures compliance with Canada Revenue Agency and the University s regulations. Granting agencies cover all levels of governments and industry partners on a national and international level.

Plans and conducts spot checks and audit-style reviews.

Develops and reviews comprehensive financial budgets required for completion of grant applications.

Undertakes special financial related projects as required i.e. - comprehensive five year reviews and business plans for the program and individual research teams.

Develops and monitors internal controls and ensures both financial and non-financial risks are mitigated.

Reviews interim financial statements for expenditures and ensures account holders are expending funds in compliance with funding guidelines; works closely with programs and units to ensure that funding agencies are properly accounted for and that budget anomalies are brought to their attention with guidance for resolution including problem-solving of funding issues regarding government agencies, industry groups, non-profit organizations and donors; and performing other related duties. Manages deficits that may result from programs and units operations.

Manages quarter end and year end processes including accruals and ensures that financial statements accurately reflect the finances of the programs and units in the portfolio. Coordinates with units within Education Portfolio and Operations Finance to ensure the transactions are recorded accurately and in a timely manner to enable the financial analysis and reporting.

Develops and manages the budget and forecasting through dept reports and UBC’s budgetary system.

Monitors the budget process to ensure the integrity of accounting systems, compliance with approved policies and procedures, expenditures are monitored and approved consistent with established funding guidelines.

Develops and reviews financial information to internal and external auditors;

Identifies problems or discrepancies in various accounts; performs accounts analysis by methods such as reviewing, extracting and interpreting information in order to determine reason for problem or discrepancy; takes corrective actions to resolve the problems or discrepancies.

Manages payroll analysis schedules and reconciles to the general ledger; verifies the accuracy of payroll records and subsequent changes and adheres to approved budget and granting agencies guidelines.

Performs other related duties and responsibilities as directed by the Director of Finance, Academic Portfolio.

Complies with Generally Acceptable Accounting Principles (GAAP)

Ensuring education and research subject confidentiality is protected when submitting invoices and UBC Requisitions for re-imbursement.

Traveling as required to attend meetings and conferences.

Performing other related duties as required by the Director, Academic Finance

Consequence of Error/Judgement
The Financial Analyst must have a high level of attention to timeliness, detail and accuracy. Must exercise judgment based upon a thorough knowledge of procedures, guidelines and regulations. Errors in judgment may impact the long term financial and operational activities of the programs and units within Education Portfolio. Inappropriate decisions or poor financial management and control could have serious impact on the financial position of the Education Portfolio, and could ultimately result in financial loss and/or legal liability. Errors regarding the financial operation could result in audit problems as well as incorrect payments causing serious financial problems for the individuals involved. Inappropriate prioritization of workload could result in missing important deadlines and possible financial loss. The failure to provide adequate budget planning documents could undermine the Education Portfolio ability to set and implement priorities for allocation of resources, resulting in an inability to achieve the operational and educational mandate for the portfolio and not meet the financial goals which would result in loss of stature and credibility to the University, the ministries, Hospital Health Authority, local and international sponsors.

The position works with a high degree of independent decision making and performs complex financial management functions. This position provides financial and strategic planning advice to the Education unit administrator, manager, and director and is essential for long term sustainability and growth of the portfolio.

Supervision Received
Reports to the Director, Academic Finance and is expected to work independently in a collaborative and professional environment.

Supervision Given
None .

Minimum Qualifications
Undergraduate degree in a relevant discipline. Completion of at least 7 of the 14 CPA academic prerequisites. Minimum of two years of related experience, or the equivalent combination of education and experience.

- Willingness to respect diverse perspectives, including perspectives in conflict with one’s own

- Demonstrates a commitment to enhancing one’s own awareness, knowledge, and skills related to equity, diversity, and inclusion

Preferred Qualifications

Experience with UBC Financial and Human Resources systems and Supply Management procedures including FMS, P-Card, Peoplesoft Budgeting, HRMS and Position Management preferred. Thorough knowledge of accounting audit, budgeting principles and practices and financial planning and general business practices required. Knowledge of contracts, government and UBC policies and regulations, grant administration and procedures related to finance, payroll and audit.Demonstrated skill in budget preparation and management. Demonstrated skill in budget preparation and management. Demonstrated leadership and supervisory skills Ability to work effectively with minimal supervision.Ability to exercise sound judgement. UBC FMS certification will be required. Ability to communicate effectively verbally and in writing. Ability to work effectively independently and in a team environment. Ability to apply generally accepted accounting principles and financial management principles in an appropriate manner.Ability to reconcile accounts and to resolve discrepancies. Ability to analyze problems, identify key information and issues, and effectively resolve. Ability to effectively use computers and computer software. Demonstrated advanced knowledge and skill in the use of financial software applications, databases, spreadsheets, and word processing.Specific programs, although not exclusively, are Outlook, Word, Excel, Quickbooks, FMS, and PeopleSoft. Ability to prioritize and work effectively under pressure to meet deadlines. Ability to effectively manage multiple tasks and priorities. Ability to prepare financial reports. Ability to perform complex analysis.Ability to maintain accuracy and attention to detail. Ability to exercise judgement, tact, discretion and confidentiality in all matters and to maintain effective working relationships with internal and external contacts.