Description Research Accounting within
VP Finance is currently seeking a Full-time Temporary Relief
Senior Financial Analyst for approximately 15 months.
The Senior Financial Analyst, Research Accounting reports to the Associate Director, Research Accounting. The Senior Financial Analyst plays an important role in the delivery of Research Accounting support to stakeholders across campus and to external funders. The incumbent will review and analyze research and non-research project funds to ensure proper accounting and reporting, ensuring compliance with funding agency and University guidelines and policies.
The position requires an individual who can be flexible in managing shifting priorities, as the department operates in a highly complex environment with multiple and competing deadlines.
Summary of Key Responsibilities (job functions include but are not limited to):
Financial/Management Reporting and Analysis
- Provide strategic decision support for Research Accounting Management.
- Develop proposals, business cases and analysis for new initiatives, analyze current operations/processes and provide recommendations to enable identification of opportunities and challenges to ensure future success.
- Manage month-end and year-end working papers, schedules, reconciliations and required statements, including reconciliation of general ledger and projects.
- Work with project holders on analyzing financial results, completing accurate and insightful forecasts, variance and scenario analysis for their projects.
- Develop documentation and financial reports for the various audits, reconciliations and special projects (working papers, activity summaries, project testing, variance and comparative analysis).
- Provide accurate and timely completion of special assignments and projects, including reports on findings, financial analysis and reporting, and including recommendations and outcomes.
- Forecast project spending and conduct variance analysis as required.
- Recommend changes to procedures, process and reporting activities, which may include advising and/or leading project teams established to evaluate and implement improvements, including automation.
- Evaluate and recommend changes to internal controls, and ensure process documentation are current.
- Provide advice and guidance and respond to requests for information from both internal and external users.
- Manage Tri-Council and major granting Agency reconciliations, revenue journals, updates for awards and Tri-Council Form 300 uploads.
- Review/complete funding agency financial reports to ensure compliance with funding agency and University guidelines and policies.
- Manage staff deliverables related to invoicing, financial reconciliations, overhead, over-expenditures and project monitoring. Ensure accurate allocation of research revenue and overhead costs.
- Resolve ad hoc issues, perform ad hoc analysis, including in situations where provided with limited identification of issues.
- Forecast spending on research and non-research projects to ensure projects are administered according to budget and agency guidelines and policies.
- Financial analysis and reporting on trending on research and non-research revenues and expenditures.
Managerial
- Provide support to Management with planning and directing the operational work of team members.
- Development and training of team members as required, ensuring team members are well trained, competent and supported in their work.
- Provide guidance and direction to team members to ensure the accurate accounting and reporting of financial transactions.
- Coach and mentor junior team members.
- Proactively develop and maintain trustworthy, productive, problem-solving working relationships with senior administration, colleagues, staff, line managers and external consultants
Qualifications / Requirements:- Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA) Canada designation (CPA, CA, CMA or CGA) and a related University degree in business, finance, accounting, or related field.
- Extensive work experience in various accounting and finance functions including budgeting and financial analysis (7 + years).
- Supervisory experience and the proven ability to manage small teams and provide direction and leadership to staff.
- Advanced user of computer software applications, including large integrated enterprise resource planning systems, data warehousing and business intelligence tools.
- Ability to coach and support others.
- Innovative and creative thinking.
- Effective communication.
- Strong presentation and facilitation skills.
- Strategic and critical thinking.
- Sound judgment and decision making.
- Ability to exercise influence and support change.
Application Deadline: August 04, 2026
We would like to thank all applicants in advance for submitting their resumes. Please note, only those candidates chosen to continue on through the selection process will be contacted.
This position is classified in the
Professional Career Band, Level 3 of the Management and Professional Staff Career Framework.
For a listing of all management and staff opportunities at the University of Calgary, view our
Management and Staff Careers website .
