The University of British Columbia (UBC) is seeking a Research Finance Officer to provide expert oversight and financial management for a portfolio of research grants. In this role, you will be responsible for ensuring the accurate reconciliation and reporting of grant funds while advising faculty and administrators on policy compliance.
What You'll Do
- Oversee a portfolio of research grants.
- Prepare and submit financial statements to sponsors.
- Create awards tasks in Workday to track and monitor progress for invoicing, financial statement preparation, and initiating refunds.
- Create new subrecipients in Workday to facilitate advancing funds to collaborating institutions.
- Review Supplier Invoices for payments to advance funds to collaborating institutions to ensure appropriateness and adherence to procedures.
- Review research grant and budget set-up on Workday.
- Create non-Canadian currency invoices for submission to sponsors.
- Identify and review cash receipts, EFT and wire payments to ensure correct allocation of funds.
- Review and approve Cash Sales transactions in Workday and coordinate with Departments to reclassify unearned revenue.
- Prepare complex reconciliations of grants cash and budget balances.
- Review expenditures & accounting journals, exercising judgment on appropriateness per University policy and Sponsor terms.
- Initiate and follow up on collection of funds due to the University, inactivating grants, and monitoring deposit of funds.
- Assist in over expenditure monitoring of grants.
- Interpret University policies and Sponsor guidelines to ensure compliance in the administration and use of funds.
- Provide advice to Faculty, Department Administrators, and Department Heads regarding financial information, Sponsor policies, and University procedures.
- Communicate with Office of Research Services, University Industry Liaison Office, and Faculties/Departments to address concerns.
- Answer non-routine enquiries concerning research grants.
- Support internal and external audit requests.
What We're Looking For
- High school graduation, plus a Diploma in Accounting or Payroll CPA Level 2, plus four years of related experience, or an equivalent combination of education and related experience.
Nice to Have
- Completion of 75% of the requirements for the CPA program, or post-secondary education and enrolment in a 3rd or 4th year professional accounting program.
- Experience and demonstrated ability in performing complex and detailed reconciliations.
- Experience in a complex operational accounting environment.
- Demonstrated proficiency of accounting principles.
- Good organizational skills and an ability to work effectively under pressure independently and within a team environment.
- High degree of analytical accuracy, thoroughness, dependability, and attention to detail.
- Excellent communication and assertiveness skills.
- Tact and discretion are essential.
- Ability to multi-task and set appropriate priorities.
- Competent with the use of Microsoft Office software (Outlook, Word, Excel, MS-Teams, PowerPoint).
- Intermediate to Advanced MS Excel knowledge.
- Knowledge of Workday.
Technical Stack
- Microsoft Office (Outlook, Word, Excel, MS-Teams, PowerPoint)
- Workday
Team & Environment
This position reports to the Manager-Research Finance.
Benefits & Compensation
- Salary: $4,739.00 - $5,102.00 CAD monthly.
At UBC, we believe that attracting and sustaining a diverse workforce is key to the successful pursuit of excellence in research, innovation, and learning for all faculty, staff and students. Our commitment to employment equity helps achieve inclusion and fairness, brings rich diversity to UBC as a workplace, and creates the necessary conditions for a rewarding career.
