Financial Analyst

Department : Finance

Job Type : Continuing

Full-time / Part-time : Full Time (>

=1249 hrs / year)

Campus : Waterloo

Reports to : Manager, Budget & Reporting

Employee Group : WLUSA

Application Deadline : January 20, 2026

Requisition ID : 9975

Wilfrid Laurier University is a leading multi-campus university that excels at educating with purpose. Through its exceptional employees, students, researchers, leaders, and educators, Laurier has built a reputation as a world-class institution known for its rich student experience, academic excellence, and global impact. With a and , Laurier’s thriving community has a place for everyone.

Laurier has more than 21,000 students and 2,100 faculty and staff across campuses in Waterloo and Brantford, as well locations in Kitchener and Milton. The university is committed to providing an inclusive workplace, a and employing a workforce that is reflective of local and national demographics. Laurier's Waterloo, Kitchener, and Brantford campuses are located on the shared traditional territory of the Neutral, Anishnaabe, and Haudenosaunee peoples. This land is part of the Dish with One Spoon Treaty between the Haudenosaunee and Anishnaabe peoples and symbolizes the agreement to share, protect our resources, and not to engage in conflict. Laurier's Milton campus is located on the traditional territory of the Mississaugas of the Credit, and part of the Nanfan Treaty of 1701 between the British Crown and the Haudenosaunee Confederacy.

Position Summary

The Financial Analyst’s (FA) primary responsibility is to be the lead financial support and subject matter expert for the client groups that they support. The position provides accurate and timely financial support and analysis to their respective units via reporting, information dissemination, and recommendations on budgeting and financial strategies and deals with confidential financial information. Additionally, the FA acts as the liaison between the client groups and Financial Resources to ensure compliance with financial management policies and procedures, and external Governance to ensure the use of and development of financial management best practices. The position reports directly to the respective Manager in the Budget & Planning unit with accountability to the client group management. The position may support other administrative, faculty, or ancillary units as required and provides financial support on university and / or departmental wide special projects or initiatives.

This position has a university-wide mandate and is based at the Waterloo Campus. The incumbent provides subject matter expertise to all campuses, requiring regular interpersonal interactions and collaboration with departments at the Waterloo, Brantford and Milton Campus and external partners. Special attention is given to ensure equitable service delivery across all locations.

Accountabilities

Financial Reporting :

Creates, presents and interprets financial reporting to client group Senior Leaders on a regular basis

Creates custom reporting and budget information to support Faculty, Management and Staff’s specific requirements

Prepares mandatory external reporting (i.e. Government funding agencies to ensure regulatory compliance)

Collaborates with various units and individuals across the university to support effective reporting and analysis for internal and external audiences

Forecasting & Analysis :

Analyzes year-over-year trends

Analyzes budget to actual spending and forecasts actual year-end anticipated results

Coordinates and prepares multi-year forecasts

Analyzes non-operating units for profitability

Analyses and presents options to meet financial challenges

Supports month-end / year-end completion and analysis as coordinated by Financial Services

Budget Planning & Cost Modelling :

Leads the annual and multi-year strategic budget planning process with client group Senior Leaders

Creates, oversees and maintains financial models to be used for strategic planning purposes

Completes budget planning documents required by Central Financial and are responsible for the accuracy of the budget data in the financial ERP system

Attends budget planning meetings to review prior year challenges and the upcoming financial landscape which will be incorporated into the client group budget planning

Provides cost modelling information for operating and non-operating initiatives

Prepares business cases and cost analysis as required

Information Dissemination and Training :

Attends regular Financial Resources and Budget & Planning meetings to exchange information and collaborate on projects / initiatives with the objective of sharing best practices and continuous improvement ideas to incorporate into client group areas

Attends client group meetings to ensure alignment of priorities between client group and Financial Resources.

Attends University Town Halls and information sessions related to budgeting and financial matters

Provides current information to Client groups on :

Applicable financial policies and procedures

Collective agreements as they relate to financial matters

Provides information on budget model allocations (e.g. Responsibility Centre Management (RCM) budget model)

Provides technical training on an individual basis as requested

Provides training on the review of financial reports, accounting principles and university financial policies

Leads and / or participates in financial working groups / committees / project analysis as required

Collaborates within Financial Resources and Integrated Planning & Budgeting to ensure full utilization and consistency of financial systems, model, policies, and procedures

Leads and / or participates in continuous improvement initiatives

Advising :

Provides advice to client groups on :

financial implications of budget targets, restructuring, and new operating initiatives

internal process implementation as it relates to financial requirements and meeting mandated financial objectives (e.g. Cost containment initiatives)

establishing reconciliation methods

cash handling procedures, registration for events and conferences

budget and financial planning matters, policies / procedures, and accounting practices

Qualifications

A CPA designation is required.

Minimum 3 years of experience in a similar role.

Knowledge and experience in financial modelling and data analysis.

Advanced spreadsheet skills (Excel), and knowledge of other MS office products (Word, PowerPoint) and ERP systems.

Knowledge of Millennium, Banner, Cognos is an asset.

Self-motivated, goal-orientated individual who is capable of working in a dynamic and challenging work environment

Excellent communication, problem solving, time management, and interpersonal skills with a focus on providing exceptional customer service in a team environment

Compensation

Position Grade : F

Rate of pay : $46.70 - $49.38 per hour ($84,900 - $89,861.40 annually) with an annual step progression on anniversary date upto$53.37 per hour.Considerations for new hire step placements include, qualifications and length / depth of required experience, relevant market rates for similar jobs, internal equity, and estimated learning curve in starting the job.

Hours of Work : This is a full time continuing position. The normal hours of work are 8 : 30 am to 4 : 30 pm, Monday to Friday. When possible, the manager will adjust the work schedule so that no more than 35 hours are worked in a week.

This position is eligible for a flexible work arrangement, as per Policy 8.14 (Flexible Work Policy). All arrangement must be approved by the direct manager. In-person attendance for events, as required to meet operational needs, is expected. On occasion, this schedule may need to be adjusted to meet operational requirement.

Wilfrid Laurier University endeavors to fill positions with qualified candidates who have a combination of education, experience, skills and abilities to successfully perform the duties of the position while demonstrating Laurier's Employee Success Factors.

Equity, diversity and creating a culture of inclusion are part of Laurier’s core values and central to the Laurier Strategy. Laurier is committed to increasing the diversity of faculty and staff and welcomes applications from candidates who identify as Indigenous, racialized, having disabilities, and from persons of any minority sexual and gender identities. Indigenous candidates who would like to learn more about equity and inclusive programing at Laurier are welcomed to contact the Office of Indigenous Initiatives. Candidates from other equity deserving groups who would like to learn more about equity and inclusive programing at Laurier are welcomed to contact Equity & Accessibility. We have strived to make our application process accessible, however if you require any assistance applying for a position or would like this job posting in an alternative format, please contact Human Resources. Contact information can be found at

Should you be interested in learning more about this opportunity, please visit for additional information and the online application system. All applications must be submitted online. Please note, a resume and cover letter will be required in electronic form.