Financial Analyst, Research
About The Position
The Financial Analyst, Research is a skilled professional working under the direction of the Manager, to meet the financial stewardship requirements, analysis, and oversight of the University’s internally and externally sponsored research portfolio. The position ensures the integrity, accuracy, and compliance of research financial activities in accordance with sponsor requirements, institutional policies, and audit and regulatory standards. The Financial Analyst must be proficient in research finance and post-award administration to manage, interpret, and analyze research account activity across the full project lifecycle. This includes account creation, financial monitoring, reconciliation, forecasting support, billing coordination, and preparation of detailed financial reports for Principal Investigators, internal stakeholders, and external funding agencies. Operating in a complex, highly regulated funding environment, the Financial Analyst must use judgment in interpreting sponsor requirements, resolving non-routine financial issues, and ensuring appropriate application of financial controls. The position is accountable for identifying discrepancies, compliance implications, and then working with the Manager to devise a plan for corrective actions to be implemented to maintain the integrity of financial records and reporting. The Financial Analyst contributes to the development and refinement of standardized financial processes and reporting tools that improve consistency, efficiency, and compliance within the research administration function.
Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree in accounting (preferred), Finance, or related field.
- Strong understanding of accounting principles, with experience in accounting, bookkeeping, finance and reconciliation.
- 5–7 years of relevant accounting or financial operations experience (preferably in a public sector or higher education environment).
- Strong MS Office, including proficiency in Microsoft Excel (e.g., pivot tables, VLOOKUP, reconciliations, data analysis).
- Excellent attention to detail and organizational skills.
- Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities.
- Effective written and verbal communication skills.
- Ability to manage multiple priorities autonomously, large transaction volumes, and meet deadlines.
- High level of integrity and accountability.
- Service-oriented mindset with a commitment to supporting the university community.
Responsibilities
- Post-Award research financial management to include, but not limited to, accurately interpreting sponsor agreements, funding conditions, and institutional requirements to create appropriate research accounts, maintain, monitor, and action the accounts throughout the project lifecycle, including detailed reconciliations and financial analysis, ensuring expenditures align with funding agreements, eligibility rules, and institutional policies.
- Prepares and submits financial claims and adjustments to funding agencies in accordance with contractual and reporting requirements.
- Key point of contact for the Principal Investigator regarding financial inquiries, eligibility, and reporting obligations.
- Supports audit readiness by ensuring documentation is complete, accurate, and aligned with sponsor expectations.
- Prepares, validates and submits financial reports upon approval by the Manager and Principal Investigator for internal stakeholders and external funding agencies in accordance with sponsor requirements and institutional timelines.
- Ensures accuracy, consistency, and compliance with Tri-Agency, provincial, federal, and private funder reporting requirements.
- Interprets sponsor guidelines and funding agreements to ensure financial reporting aligns with contractual obligations and audit expectations.
- Prepare and issue invoices for externally funded research and institutional revenue-generating contracts in accordance with contractual terms and funding agreements.
- Interprets contract provisions to ensure billing schedules, deliverables, and financial milestones are accurately reflected in invoicing processes.
- Reviews and processes claims for research contracts and service agreements, ensuring compliance with sponsor and institutional requirements.
- Monitor accounts for receivable balances, analyze outstanding items, and initiate resolution of overdue accounts in collaboration with internal and external stakeholders.
- Ensures timely and accurate invoices to support compliance with contractual obligations and funding agency requirements.
- Review procurement card transactions and assess for eligibility and compliance with institutional policies and sponsor funding requirements.
- Obtains and reviews supporting documentation and resolves discrepancies with cardholders.
- Guides Principal Investigators and research staff on budget interpretation, allowable expenditures, and sponsor requirements.
- Interprets financial reports and account information to support informed decision-making by researchers.
- Supports the Manager in the development of standardized procedures, documentation, and process improvements within research administration.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Mid Level
