Business Officer

University of Toronto•Toronto, ON

3d•Onsite

About The Position

OISE is recognized as a global leader in graduate programs in teaching and learning, continuing teacher education, and education research. As one of the largest and most research-intensive faculties of education in North America, OISE is an integral part of the University of Toronto - Canada’s most dynamic and comprehensive institution of higher learning. OISE is committed to enhancing the social, economic, political and cultural well-being of individuals and communities locally, nationally and globally through leadership in teaching, research and advocacy. A unique place to work, learn and grow, OISE addresses current and emerging challenges with the scale, academic excellence and collaborative energy that few institutions in the world can claim. The Department of Leadership, Higher and Adult Education (LHAE) at the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education is a dynamic and inclusive learning community comprised of scholars focused on educational leadership and administration, policy and change, social justice and community engagement. LHAE offers three graduate programs that consider education across the lifespan: Adult Education and Community Development, Educational Leadership and Policy, and Higher Education. These programs are enriched by our internationally-recognized faculty and the diversity of our students. Under the general direction of the Manager, Departmental Academic Operations and Administrative Services, the Business Officer is responsible for the overall financial and operational functions required for the effective support of the department’s academic, research and teaching goals and objectives.

Requirements

Bachelor's Degree in Commerce, Business, Accounting, Finance, or related disciplines, or an acceptable equivalent combination of education and experience.
Minimum five years of recent and related accounting, finance, administrative experience, preferably in a University setting.
Experience administering a complex work unit with financial management experience including overseeing, planning and preparing complex budgets, and research grants; forecasting, managing, and analyzing budgets and statistical information; reporting, monitoring and reconciling financial activity and payroll distribution including preparing financial statements.
Experience overseeing all financial transactions (revenue and expenditures) against operating budgets and research grant accounts.
Demonstrated experience processing financial and payroll transactions, including accounts receivable, accounts payable and journal entries and preparing financial reconciliation, analyses, and recommendations.
Experience in translating financial system data into meaningful and accessible management reports that can be understood by non-financial stakeholders.
Experience working with the University’s research services, grant research applications and processes, and grant administration, and knowledge of financial/payroll policies or other similar policies
Experience with policies and procedures related to administering sessional lecturers (CUPE 3902 unit 3), Course Instructors (CUPE 3902, Unit 1), Postdoctoral fellows (CUPE 3902, unit 5) other collective agreements (e.g. USW), or other similar unionized groups.
Experience working with contract systems (OISE Sessional Lecturer System or related system).
Experience working with procurement services, office planning and space issues.
Experience supervising administrative staff
Advanced skills and experience working in FIS, RIS and Kronos, or similar administrative systems. Intermediate skills and experience working with HRIS.
Demonstrated advanced skills in Microsoft Office (e.g. Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook, and teams), Zoom, Sharepoint and databases.
Excellent oral and written communication skills.
Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to develop good working relations among academic and administrative staff, clients and peers.
Excellent time management and organizational skills. Ability to deal effectively and efficiently with a large volume of work in a timely manner. High tolerance for dealing effectively with busy and demanding clientele and meeting deadlines. Ability to manage multiple/competing deadlines and priorities.
Demonstrated analytical ability with great attention to detail, and ability to meet deadlines in a fast-paced work environment.
Demonstrated project management skills.
A team player with the ability to work under pressure. Ability to identify and correct processing errors.
Demonstrates initiatives, tact, and sound judgement in the handling of sensitive and confidential matters.

Nice To Haves

A CPA designation would be an asset.

Responsibilities

Preparing forecasts, transactions, detailed analysis of variances, and all components related to budget management (including general funds, research grants, contracts and/or gift accounts)
Advising principal investigators on all research and budget policies of funding agencies and specific requirements for research proposals and preparing the associated budget proposal
Administering grants and contracts including the recovery of overhead costs
Preparation and timely processing of payroll documents (timesheets, attendance, vacation, etc.)
Coordinating, monitoring and tracking confidential employee information (vacation, leaves, attendance, and academic faculty leave entitlements)
Working with the Chair/Manager to coordinate departmental needs with respect to space, physical access, security, facilities management and information technology (IT)
Forecasting, planning and monitoring multiple complex budgets
Analyzing financial trends and preparing analytical reports and forecasts for management decision making
Monitoring department budget to ensure expenditures remain within budgeted allocations
Applying the University Guide to Financial Management and other applicable policies, agency and regulatory requirements
Producing complex statistical and/or financial reports
Fostering cooperative working relationships with a wide variety of internal and external contacts
Keeping well-informed on changes to policies, procedures, collective agreements, and applicable legislated requirements
Directing the activities of a single ongoing staff-appointed employee and work-study student