Body:
Research Accountant, Financial Services
Required Position
Full-Time Appointment
Responsibilities
This position works primarily with the Manager of Research and Accounting and in partnership with the various Managers in Financial Services. The Research Accountant will support research accounting as well as other financial functions throughout the University while performing a broad scope of professional accounting activities to support the day-to-day operations of the Financial Services Team.
The successful candidate will be responsible for
- Financial reporting, internal control and general administration of all external and internal research accounts;
- Primary financial contact for project partners and will provide advice/support on project financial requirements/ documentation, including complex projects that may have a matching, supplier or in kind, partner and special audit requirements;
- Responsible for ensuring all revenue and expenses related to the project are recorded in a timely manner and in accordance with accounting principles, regularly monitored and supported by appropriate documentation;
- Responsible for the fiscal viability of the research project by providing complex financial analysis, advice and support to the PI and project manager to assist them in identifying the financial consequences of current and long-range plans and proposals to facilitate effective strategic decision-making;
- Interpret and implement existing policies including new financial and non-financial processes at the project level, in conjunction with appropriate stakeholders to support the achievement of project goals, while meeting university and sponsor requirements;
- Provides complex accounting advice and support to the PI and project manager regarding the management and internal control of research funds;
- Liaise with the Office of Research pre-awards colleagues regarding new or unusual areas of the research agreement;
- Set up the research project on Office of Research database (Romeo) to allow tracking of key reporting, invoicing and audit dates;
- Set up budget, overhead and journal entries in accordance with the specific requirements of the award agreement;
- Work with the PI and/or project director/manager to ensure all key financial reporting requirements and sponsor guidelines are met;
- Prepare invoice or disbursement requests in accordance with invoicing schedules in the award agreement per their specific format if applicable;
- Monitor outstanding invoices to ensure that project management are advised on a timely basis if payment may be an issue so that appropriate action can be taken;
- Ensure that reporting schedules are met by proactively tracking project schedules and reporting deadlines;
- Communicate and train project staff and/or collaborators on financial reporting framework and on financial reporting requirements and timescales;.
- Monitor all project accounts to ensure all funds are spent appropriately by the end date or that an extension request submitted;
- Provide advice to the PI and/or project director/manager for options on resolving any surplus or deficit balances and prepare the applicable close out entries ensuring that appropriate authorization and supporting documentation has been provided;
- Reviews advances, requests for payment, purchase requisitions, salary payments, invoices, and other designated research financial transactions for compliance and eligibility with external sponsor guidelines and University policies;
- Key point of contact between the LU project team and representatives from partner organizations for financial advice, guidance and queries pertaining to the research project;
- Liaise with other University departments such as research centers, purchasing, payroll, development, research office to ensure appropriate management of research funds including any external or internal reporting required;
- Prepare special audits required for research grants as they arise;
- Gather and provide information to senior management required for budget, planning and statutory reporting pertaining to research accounting (accounts receivables, cash flow assessment, etc.), receipts, and disbursements reports, and others as requested;
- Prepare quarterly bank reconciliations and transfers for segregated research bank accounts;
- Provide support to the Managers within Finance for recording, analyzing and reporting of accurate finance related data to support the University’s financial position; and
- Perform other duties as assigned.
Qualifications
- University Degree , four (4) years in Accounting or Business Administration with a specialization in Accounting;
- A minimum of five (5) years of experience with progressively greater responsibility in accounting/financial related environment;
- Accounting designation considered an asset (CGA, CMA, CPA or CA) ;
- Ability to work fluently (verbal and written) in both official languages, French and English, is required;
- Previous experience developing and managing complex project budgets of either significant dollar value or with significant international exposure;
- Working knowledge of auditing practices and procedures;
- Experience working both independently and as part of a team and managing workload and setting priorities;
- Excellent verbal and writing skills;
- Proven ability to work within a framework of multiple principles and guidelines and to apply professional judgment in situations in which clear direction is unavailable and/or interpretation is required;
- Strong organizational skills coupled with the ability to handle multiple tasks, meet deadlines, and excel in a fast-paced environment characterized by changing priorities;
- Experience in an academic, not-for-profit and/or research environment is an asset;
- Working knowledge of research granting agencies and their programs is preferred;
- Advanced experience with MS Word and Excel; and
- Experience with Ellucian, Adobe, Romeo database, Synoptix and Business Objects software considered an asset.
The official University hours of operation shall be from 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, during, and including, the months from September to April, and from 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m Monday through Friday during and including May to August., amounting to thirty-three and three-quarter (33.75) hours per week.
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Applications will only be accepted through our online form.