Senior Financial Analyst in Hamilton

On-Site Monday to Friday, 8:30am to 4:30pm. Bachelors degree in Accounting, Business, Finance or related field. Requires 3 years of relevant experience.

The McMaster Institute for Research on Aging (MIRA) serves as McMaster University's hub for aging research initiatives and programs. MIRA is home to several major research platforms and programs, including the Canadian Longitudinal Study on Aging (CLSA). The CLSA is one of the largest and most comprehensive studies of aging ever undertaken in Canada. This national, long-term study follows approximately 50,000 participants who were between the ages of 45 and 85 at recruitment, tracking their health and well-being over a period of at least 20 years. Through the collection of biological, medical, psychological, social, lifestyle, and economic data, the CLSA aims to advance understanding of the factors that contribute to healthy aging and the development of disease and disability over time.

MIRA and the CLSA are seeking a Senior Financial Analyst to lead financial accounting, procurement, reporting, budgeting, and financial analysis activities in support of multiple research projects and initiatives. Working collaboratively with faculty, staff, and national partners across MIRA's and CLSA's network, the successful candidate will provide leadership and oversight for all financial aspects of a diverse portfolio of research programs and initiatives.

Job Summary: Responsible for leading financial accounting, reporting and analysis. Demonstrate specialized knowledge and understanding of generally accepted accounting principles, compliance, tax, financial policies and procedures. Providing full accounting services and reporting for external corporations and agencies. Act as a subject matter expert on key financial reporting, accounting, tax and compliance.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Perform advanced levels of analysis, problem solving and research skills to formulate solutions to complex business needs.
• Coordinate and lead year end activities related to key financial reporting, accounting, tax and compliance activities.
• Coordinate deliverables with other key parties across the university, including management.
• Responsible for Financial Reporting software including designing database specifications, and recommending database structure to meet reporting and compliance needs.
• Coach and mentor junior staff in order to ensure a highly motivated and technically competent team, including direct training of student employees.
• Develop, implement and document best practices to align with departmental and University strategies and processes.
• Review and approve journal entries prepared and performed across the university, utilizing specialized accounting and financial reporting principles to ensure appropriate treatment.
• As discrepancies are identified, responsible for collaborating with key parties to understand underlying nature of the activity, performing review based on key guidance and working with party to ensure appropriate accounting and tax treatment.
• Primary contact and lead for audits and financial reporting requirements as required by external agencies (including CRA, COU), as well as internal offices (i.e. Research, Facilities, Real Estate Ancillary Operations and Partnerships “REAP”).
• Educate and inform faculty, staff, researchers and other key business leaders of related reporting, accounting, tax and compliance guidance and advice.
• Review special report submissions, as prepared and reviewed by department leadership, challenging reporting and treatment, providing recommendations prior to review and approval by CFO.
• Identify gaps in transactional or reporting controls and work to develop approaches to address them and/or implement corrective action.
• Act as the subject matter expert for planning and modification of People Soft Financials and Supply Chain Management (FSCM) module, including implementation of additional modules.
• Develop customized complex spreadsheets for ad-hoc reports, queries, and financial analysis.
• Responsible for sections of the multi-year financial projections and consolidated budget, including writing the narrative.
• Works with colleagues across the university to develop, recommend and implement structures, policies, processes, programs and resources to ensure accurate, consistent and complete external financial reporting for the University’s annual financial audit and various compliance audits.
• Supporting the capital fund and internal loan management process by monitoring, reporting and projecting the McMaster Capital Reserve and Central Bank as required.
• Responsible for the coordination and compilation of various financial reports reviewed and approved by the CFO.
• Responsible to plan key inputs, with work back schedule, collaborating with key parties across the university to ensure the return is prepared accurately.
• As new information is required by the external governance bodies (i.e. CRA, GAAP), individual to understand new standards and works with key parties to ensure information provided meets new compliance guidelines, guiding them through systems to capture accurate and applicable data.
• Act as the primary contact for reviews or audits by external agencies (including CRA, COU), as well as internal offices.
• Responsible to establish and lead user training on HST, compliance and financial reporting matters.
• Apply specialized tax knowledge and accounting principles to review, interpret and provide recommendations on accounting and tax treatment.
• Coordinate various deliverables, working with external consultant and partners across the University (i.e. Treasury, Facilities, REAP) and external auditors.
• Leading the planning of the schedule of work, establishing key working papers, compiling information and providing recommendations to management on appropriate compliance and accounting treatment.

Supervision: Provide functional guidance to others on an ongoing basis. Ensures adherence to quality standards and procedures for short-term staff.

Qualifications: Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Business, Finance or related field. Requires a minimum of 3 years of relevant experience. Possesses or is actively working towards a professional designation (i.e. CPA) or MBA.

Additional Information: The successful candidate will have the following experience, knowledge and skills:

• Demonstrated experience managing the full spectrum of project financial operations, including financial processes, procurement, accounts payable, and sub-agreement payments.
• Extensive experience overseeing procurement activities through Mosaic and MacBuy, including purchase orders, service contracts, ICQs, corporate credit cards, petty cash, receiving, and commitment reconciliations.
• Strong knowledge and experience in financial reconciliation, analysis, and reporting for multiple projects, programs, and funding sources.
• Proven ability to manage salary administration across multiple projects, including reconciliations, HR event forms, and salary reallocations through journal entries.
• Experience leading financial management, budgeting, and reporting for large-scale, multi-site grants, including Canada Foundation for Innovation (CFI) funding and Infrastructure Operating Fund allocations.
• Demonstrated ability to monitor, analyze, and reconcile weekly and monthly operational expenditures.
• Experience coordinating and managing travel and related financial activities for faculty and research personnel.
• Proven experience providing financial oversight and strategic support for complex, multi-million-dollar research portfolios.
• Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Exceptional organizational, time management, and diplomatic skills, with the ability to manage competing priorities effectively.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently, multitask, and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Office applications, including Excel, Word, PowerPoint, and Outlook.