Analyst

Description:

The Department of Finance Services is currently seeking a Full-time Regular Analyst.

Reporting to the Manager, Finance Services, the Analyst, Finance Services plays an important role in the delivery of finance support to the faculties/units. The incumbent is responsible for supporting the Finance Partner by assisting with all aspects of accounting, budgeting and forecasting for the faculty/unit, in compliance with the university's policy framework. The nature of work will result in the position being privy to confidential information such as human resource planning, salary information, and faculty or unit financial information.

The role involves an ability to manage multiple and often conflicting priorities, simultaneous deadlines, and a rapidly evolving environment. The incumbent must work well under pressure and be able to communicate effectively with all levels of the institution and with external stakeholders.

This key position coordinates the delivery of financial services to the faculty/unit stakeholders while adhering to and promoting internal control and best practices and policies. Working with the Finance Partner, this position advises, coordinates and administers the operational aspects of financial processes within the faculty/unit and ensures these processes are effectively planned, coordinated and communicated across the faculty/unit. This position makes recommendations regarding the development of policies, processes and systems that would add value to Finance as well as the faculty/unit.

Position Description

Summary of Key Responsibilities (job functions include but are not limited to):

Key Responsibilities:

Budgeting, accounting and forecasting support through assisting the Finance Partner with preparation of monthly variance/forecast analysis and other financial analysis.
Developing effective/professional relationships. The Analyst will manage financial issues within faculties/units through to resolution.
Decision support through the identification, articulation, & communication of potential risks to their faculty/unit.
Reporting will include preparation of ad-hoc financial reporting and facilitating the routing of reports where quantitative (financial data produced by Financial Reporting) & qualitative information (non-financial data prepared by faculty/unit members) is required.
Support the management of the faculty/unit's budget and act as a contact in the faculty/unit for all finance and accounting related issues and follow up with key stakeholders as required.
Coordinate the operational aspects of the financial processes within the faculty/unit to ensure these processes are effectively planned, coordinated and communicated across the faculty/unit.
Responds to and resolves complex process issues, engaging the Finance Partner as required.
Prepare monthly forecast and variance analysis for review by the Finance Partner, by consulting with department or unit managers, to determine planned use of resources within the budget framework.
Compile and perform meaningful analysis for preparation of annual budget.
Work in partnership with stakeholders to continuously seek to improve financial processes and procedures within the faculty/unit by working with finance process owners.
Support the faculty/unit's resource allocation decision making process (including research, financial, personnel, capital, information technology, etc).
Assist with educating team members in the faculty/unit on finance process, budgeting, and planning.
Stay current on trends and approaches to financial management and processes through continued professional development.
Provide a wide variety of ad hoc reporting and financial analysis to enable timely and effective decision making within the faculty/unit.
Provide advice of non-adherence to University policies and escalate when appropriate to ensure resolution
Relationship Management

Fosters and builds collaborative, supportive relationships with assigned clients.
Actively develops close partnerships with key client stakeholders, Finance Partner and service providers as well as other University of Calgary departments including Information Technology, Human Resources, and operational management.
Contributes to the creation of operational plans to deliver the requirements for Finance within client environment.
People Management

Recommends the operational use of Finance resources in providing the most effective and efficient delivery of financial services.
Change Leadership

Ability to initiate, implement and support new or modified approaches, practices and processes in the organization.
Continually analyzes the change process and makes necessary adjustments to maximize effectiveness.
Resource Management

Provides input into the faculty/unit business plans to determine resource requirements.
Risk Management

Contributes to an environment that fosters quality improvement and a culture of safety, dignity and respect for staff.
Commits to continually improving health and safety performance through promotion of culture supporting hazard assessment, risk management, incident identification, reporting and correction, and compliance with applicable regulations, policies, and safe work practices.
Qualifications / Requirements:

Your qualifications include being a recent graduate or near completion of a professional accounting designation (CA, CMA or CGA) with a related University degree, in business, finance, accounting or a related field.
You will have five or more years of extensive work experience in progressively more responsible role accounting functions including budgeting, and financial analysis.
You are an excellent communicator with strong written and verbal skills.
You have strong interpersonal skills and are capable of building and maintaining productive and supportive working relationships.
You are a proficient user of computer software applications, including large integrated enterprise resource planning systems, data warehousing and business intelligence tools, and spreadsheets.
An equivalent combination of education and experience from which comparable knowledge and abilities can be acquired will be considered.