City : Hamilton

Category : Other

Industry : Education

Employer : McMaster University

Hamilton, ON
 
McMaster University is a leading research-intensive institution with thousands of research awards and receives hundreds of millions of dollars in research funding each year.  With each of these awards is an obligation to submit financial reports to the sponsors.
 
Job Summary
 
Responsible for applying specialized knowledge and understanding of financial policies and research sponsor policies and procedures to coordinate and process Univeristy research financial transactions. Analyzes, records, classifies, and summarizes accounting data according to established procedures. Ensures accuracy and compliance with existing guidelines, policies, and procedures. Provides support for financial reporting and audit activities.
 
Purpose and Key Functions Coordinate the collection, verification, analysis, and reporting of financial data. Interpret and communicate applicable financial policies, procedures, and guidelines to others. Assist with internal and external audits by preparing audit files and responding to auditor inquiries. Analyze data and assess for reasonableness. Follow standard operating procedures related to opening research projects, amending research projects, entering budgets, closing research projects, and assigning permissions. Approve expenses, journal entries, vouchers, HR event forms and payroll. Monitor the financial status of projects. Develop customized spreadhsheets including formulas and equations for ad-hoc reports, queries, and financial analysis. Generate invoices for granting agencies and ensure the collection of funds. Maintain the confidentiality of research funding and contract information. Ensure payments received (cheque and wire transfers) are deposited into appropriate research projects. Ensure funding is correctly transferred to research co-investigators and collaborators per transfer agreements and track these payments. Exercise appropriate controls monitor and reconcile research accounts. Write a variety of documents and reports such as procedure manuals, accounting reports, and financial statements. Perform various analyses and reconciliations of research accounts and investigate any variances or discrepancies. Generate reports and account statements and review for accuracy and compliance with relevant institutional and research sponor policies and guidelines. Provide relevant informaiton and training to others on relevant accounting procedures and the use of financial systems. Calculate, prepare, and issue invoices, cheques, account statements and other financial statements according to established procedures. Receive, send, sort, verify, process, and prepare various documents such as purchase orders, invoices, cheque requisitions, receivables, and payables. Process, verify, and balance financial records and business transactions, such as accounts payable, accounts receivable, and payroll. Prepare and generate a variety of scheduled and ad hoc reports. Update, maintain, and verify information in a variety of spreadsheets and databases. Balance and control cash receipts, including floats, petty cash, and cheques. Apply standard mathematical skills such as calculations, formulas, and equations to perform a variety of calculations. Answer complex inquiries via telephone, email, and in person that are specific in nature and require a specialized knowledge of policies and procedures. Maintain filing systems, both electronic and hard copy.
 
Supervision Has ongoing responsibility for supervising 1 – 9 casual employees (at any one time).
 
Requirements 2 year Community College diploma in Accounting or a related field of study. Requires 5 years of relevant experience.
 
Additional Information
 
The successful candidate will demonstrate/be: Advanced knowledge of MS Excel Extremely motivated with a positive attitude Tact, sensitivity, and diplomacy in dealing with varied clientele Strong interpersonal skills and a positive approach to customer service Excellent problem-solving and organizational skills Demonstrated team player Proven high level of accuracy and analytical skills Ability to identify opportunities for improvement Attention to detail and clarity in written communications; ability to foster and maintain relationships
 
Note: Research Finance currently is utilizing a hybrid model for work.  Access to reliable home internet is required.
 
Assets Experience developing financial reporting templates Previous experience within a university environment Functional understanding of the grant funding environment, specifically Tri-Council funding Experience with Mosaic (Peoplesoft) Understanding McMaster HR and Finance processes and systems, and their impact on financial reporting, including commitments
 
JD1363