Support analyst Jobs in Richmond, BC

Job Summary

The Student Financial Business Analyst is a critical role, responsible for campus and/or university-wide student financial support programs, performing specialized and complex financial reporting, process management and support on the recommended awards program and the bursary program for both campuses.

This position also acts as a functional analyst with respect to the design, development, enhancement and implementation of the complex processes and applications used in the awards and bursary programs. It is critical to ensure the accuracy of assessments and disbursements of the student financial assistance to the students in both Vancouver and Okanagan campuses.

Organizational Status

The Student Financial Business Analyst incumbent is responsible for the recommended awards and bursary programs. The Student Financial Business Analyst position report to the Manager, Student Financial Support and Associate Director, Business Solutions and Support.

The position works with the Manager, Student Financial Support and the Associate Director - Student Financial Support, Director - Student Financial Support (SFS), Enrolment Services (ES) unit directors, associate directors, and managers in both UBC Vancouver and Okanagan campuses. The position interacts with staff in all faculties, Development Office, VP Students Office, International Students Initiative Office, Student Development and Services Office, Go Global Office, Budget Office and other central University agencies concerned with budgeting and financial matters.

The incumbent supervises the work of Student Financial Processing Specialists as relates to student awards and bursary administration. In support of the Director and Associate Director, SFS, the position also liaises with student government organizations regarding student financial support initiatives, and liaises with other post- secondary institutions, post-secondary associations, foundations, and private organizations on all aspects of student financial support.

The incumbent will lead high-level requirements gathering and analysis of complex systems requests impacting operational processes and the family of enterprise Student Information Systems The Analyst is a liaison, building and managing strong working relationships with business units and stakeholders, both internal and external to Enrolment Services (ES), including UBC IT teams. The individual is called upon to collaborate with all levels of staff at the university, both technical and non-technical as well as provide guidance to ES business stakeholders in the participation and direction of systems implementation projects.

Work Performed

1. Maintains a comprehensive understanding and interpretation of Endowment Management Policy (113), University Awards regulations and policies, University student financial assistance policy with particular focus around student need assessment mechanisms, Financial and Budgeting guidelines, processes and procedures, CRA guidelines around student education assistance.

2. Leads, develops, recommends, and implements process and policy with University student awards and bursaries initiatives, projects, or programs.

3. Acts as the primary subject matter expert and primary contact for student awards and bursaries policies, procedures, and processes.

4. Maintains current knowledge of and ensures compliance to various Canadian government student financial assistance programs.

5. Assesses, evaluates, and develops cross-functional procedures and processes relating to student awards and bursaries to ensure compliance with University awards and Canadian tax laws on student education assistance.

6. Develops recommendations and implements process improvements in collaboration with faculties/programs and business units.

7. Initiates the development and implementation of strategic decisions affecting student awards portfolio. Manages project resources, timelines and achievement of objectives.

8. Creates, monitors, and assesses key performance indicators relevant for the business unit. Identifies and reports red flags and takes appropriate action for resolution.

9. Oversees submission of regulatory reports to ensure timeliness and accuracy.

10. Provides advice to faculties/departments and business units on University student awards policy compliance.

11. Provides training and education to faculties/departments and business unit managers on University policies and guidelines relating to management of student awards. Attends faculty/department and business unit meetings periodically to disseminate new information and guidelines affecting management of student awards and addresses concerns strategically.

12. Provides and develops business and financial analysis and prepares comprehensive reports on statistics and performance of University student awards.

13. Liaises with University officials on interpretation of student awards policies and regulations, including the collection, transmission, and use of student awards data.

14. Supports the University s external audit and ensures audit supporting documents are prepared on a timely and accurate basis.

15. Support administrative processes in the student award and bursary programs to ensure accurate assignment and disbursement of student financial aid.

16. Analyzes, plans and manages requests from faculties and service units for change(s) to the enterprise SIS applications, and collaborates with UBC IT and other ES units in developing project proposals for system implementations.

17. Actively engages in systems projects, acting as a primary contact for IT partners; recommends appropriate stakeholder engagement, provides guidance to Enrolment Services business stakeholders in participation and direction of systems implementations efforts and acts as subject matter expert, as appropriate.

18. Using in-depth knowledge of the Student Information Systems, and an understanding of all registrarial functions, guides the business stakeholders in determining and articulating their business needs and how system integration efforts can be a benefit to them; works with UBC IT to communicate business issues on behalf of multiple stakeholders; communicates solution proposals, resource estimates and scoping assumptions back to stakeholders and involves stakeholders in discussions as appropriate.

1. Prepares and/or supports the preparation of financial reports, budgets, narratives, and statistical analyses for external funding agencies and organizations and internal university stakeholders, including annual student financial support report to the Board of Governors to support decision-making

2. Provides insights into significant financial risks and makes practical recommendation to reduce risks, improve operational performance and increase management confidence.

3. Works with all levels (leaders, managers, and clerical staffs) of assigned areas to identify opportunities for improvement related to University student financial support, and liaises with relevant parties to establish measures and achieve targeted results.

4. Advises Enrolment Services (ES) Advisors on student financial assistance, budgeting, accounting and administrative issues relating to University student financial support.

5. In cases when established policies and procedures are insufficient, reviews particularly complex queries brought forward from ES Advisors, faculties and staff members; Undertakes detailed reviews of students academic and award records and liaises with relevant UBC staff as necessary to determine student eligibility for University student financial support.

6. Develops and maintains relationships throughout business units to enable business objective and issue resolutions.

7. Establishes priorities of Student Financial Processing Specialists to ensure efficient, timely, and accurate payment of student loans, award, and bursary funding to students.

8. Participates in the design, development and delivery of workshops for Faculty Scholarship Chairs, advising staff, Development Office to further their knowledge of University student financial support.

9. Performs other related duties as required or necessary in keeping with the qualification and requirements for the job.

Consequence of Error/Judgement

The incumbent has responsibility to maintain a detailed understanding of complex awards and bursary policies and regulations. The position requires a comprehensive understanding of UBC’s Endowment Management Policy (FM5) and Access to the University of British Columbia Policy (LR10) in order to provide accurate information to UBC staff, faculty and students and to make frequent evaluations regarding students eligibility to receive award and bursary funding. Failure to observe carefully internal and external policies and regulations and to adhere to the stated terms of award and bursary eligibility can have significant financial impact, and may also impact the relationship of the University with donors and other external agencies. Failure to meet the conditions of an award established through a bequest could place the University in violation of the trust established by the donor’s estate and error could result in the withdrawal of funding. If award set-up and assignment is not accurate and consistent with the guidelines established by the University and/or the award establishment form or terms of reference, students, staff and faculty may be misinformed and the award policies will be seen as unfair and inconsistent. Any errors and/or omissions in judgment could seriously undermine the roles, responsibilities and effectiveness of the University in student loans, awards, and bursary administration and may also incur reputation risk.

Supervision Received

Reports to the Manager, Student Financial Support and the Associate Director, Student Financial Support. Works independently under the direction of the Associate Director, SFS. Exercises initiative and sound judgment in making decisions. The individual is responsible for the smooth operations and accurate financial reporting of the recommended award portfolios and bursary program, and would only refer to Associate Director on issues that require a change in overall policy. Work is reviewed in terms of achievements and of specific goals.

Supervision Given

Manage training, work accuracy and quality, and work allocations of 2-3 permanent CUPE 2950 clerical staff members and temporary staff members when necessary.

Minimum Qualifications

Undergraduate degree in a relevant discipline. Completion of the CPA accounting program (CA, CGA or CMA). Minimum of five 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 complex reconciliations, financial planning, systems development, budgeting and financial control. Supervisory and training experience required.

Strong analytical and problem solving skills, including ability to apply conflict resolution techniques. Knowledge of University endowment management policies (FM5), University accounting and structures. Knowledge of University Policy LR10 is an asset. Knowledge of FIPPA (Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act). Knowledge of financial and student automated systems (UBC’s WD and LFSM an asset). Extensive knowledge and experience with standard PC software including MS Excel, Word, Outlook, Internet.

Excellent organization skills, ability to set and maintain multiple priorities, to adapt and be flexible when addressing changing priorities. Demonstrated ability for a high level of attention to detail when working with complex material. Ability to work under pressure and critical deadlines and produce accurate and measurable results. Demonstrated high level of judgment. Demonstrated excellent interpersonal and communication skills including the ability to understand and effectively communicate with others at all levels of the organization in writing and orally. Ability to maintain confidentiality. Strong initiative, work ethics, and integrity required. Demonstrated experience in performing detailed reconciliations, financial reporting and analysis, and a proficient understanding of accounting principles. Works with a high level of accuracy and is detail-oriented.