Senior Analyst, Financial Planning and Reporting

University of Ottawa•Ottawa, ON

3d•CA$96,570 - CA$120,712•Onsite

About The Position

Provides expert advice and guidance on budget management to financial managers and CAOs in faculties and services. Provides assistance in short-, medium- and long-term decision-making by offering support and making recommendations on financial analysis, budgeting, forecasting and report writing. Actively contributes to preparing the annual budget, the five-year plan and budget updates, and coordinates information received from faculties and services. Evaluates the quality of the information received in terms of risks and conducts a series of complex analyses and reviews to ensure that the information produced is high-quality and aligns with budget policies. Oversees financial system operations (Workday and Adaptive Planning) by implementing controls to ensure data integrity and accuracy.

Requirements

University degree in accounting, finance or business administration, or an equivalent combination of education and experience
At least seven (7) years’ proven experience in a similar role
Extensive experience in financial management and internal controls: budgeting, forecasting, financial and operational analyses
Experience in interpreting and applying complex financial regulations and policies
Experience in using digital systems, preferably Workday/Adaptive Planning, and software such as spreadsheets, word processors and databases
Excellent analysis and synthesis skills, and ability to solve complex problems
Attention to detail to produce reliable, high-quality analyses that will be used in decision-making
Interpersonal skills that allow the incumbent to successfully negotiate with various stakeholders, work in cooperation with faculty and service partners, and communicate effectively as an expert
Organizational skills coupled with the ability to meet tight deadlines, set priorities and perform several tasks at once while ensuring the high quality of the information produced
Self-reliance, creativity and initiative in order to produce financial analyses that are relevant to decision-making
Adaptability and flexibility to meet the many changing needs for financial information
Bilingualism – French and English (spoken and written)

Nice To Haves

CPA designation and/or an MBA would be an asset

Responsibilities

Drafts and issues budget objectives for faculties and services, receives and coordinates budget entries via the financial system in accordance with current budget policies.
Provides expertise and makes recommendations to ensure that budget data is consistent, high quality and reliable, and finalizes the budgets within prescribed deadlines.
Actively assists in drafting the Operating Fund and Ancillary Services Fund budgets and regular budget follow-up actions, including fall and winter updates.
Revises budget projections for administrative units and conducts comparative analyses to ensure that financial forecasts are realistic and consistent.
Plays a key role in preparing the five-year plan for the Operating Fund, notably by determining budget assumptions and analyzing various scenarios involving revenue streams, salaries, benefits, utilities, scholarships and research chairs.
Establishes the budget baseline for regular employees and the payroll reserve budget for other items to consider when establishing the payroll budget.
Manages funding for academic positions and conducts financial analyses of them, which includes a monthly update on hiring, departures and organizational changes, to guarantee the accuracy of budget allocations and appropriately adjust funding to faculties based on the funding models currently in place.
Plans, analyzes and monitors salary increases stemming from the various collective agreements, including adjustments to funding allocations granted to faculties and services.
Drafts the accounts payable, conducts analytical reviews of the payroll accounts and assists in the correct performance of the annual audit.
Ensures the integrity and accuracy of financial system data by maintaining the controls needed for proper operations.
Assists in designing and improving digital systems by providing the required specifications and conducting the tests needed to validate the modules after modifications and updates.
Identifies, analyzes, documents and reports technical or application problems encountered during tests or when using the financial modules.
Produces complex financial reports and analysis tools to gather the information required to meet the needs of senior management and the accountability obligations due to the University community.
Participates in preparing the annual budget presented to the University’s various governing bodies, including the Administrative Committee, the Finance and Treasury Committee and the Board of Governors.
Analyzes the decisions of various authorities, ensures that these decisions are implemented and monitors the central reserves tied to approved projects and initiatives, including their impacts on future years.