Senior Research Accountant

Date Posted: 11/15/2024Req ID: 40701Faculty/Division: VP - ResearchDepartment: Research Oversight & Compliance OfficeCampus: St. George (Downtown Toronto)Position Number: 00026642Description:About us:The Vice-President, Research & Innovation (VPRI) portfolio supports the University of Toronto as a top public research university in the world. Our mission is to create the most supportive environment possible so that our researchers, innovators and learners can do what they do best —advance understanding and apply new knowledge. Our work supports, fosters and promotes the research and innovation culture and activities of our faculty, staff and students, along with our partner hospitals, funding sponsors, and partners in the public and private sector. VPRI provides a full range of services including guidance to faculty, staff and students on funding opportunities, research agreement negotiation, oversight and accountability services including research accounting, environmental health and safety, innovation and entrepreneurship, partnerships, policies and procedures, and institutional awards and honours.Your opportunity:The Senior Research Accountant works closely with research sponsors, researchers, and grants and financial administration staff, to prepare timely and accurate financial reports. The incumbent obtains and reviews financial information and supporting documentation from many sources, and reports cash and in-kind contributions, and expenditures for a diverse range of research-related activities in order to ensure compliance with the University's and research sponsor's financial administration policies and procedures and generally accepted accounting principles. Some of the research-related activities include multi-sponsor and multi-partner research projects, capital construction, renovation, purchase of major research equipment, in-kind contributions of goods, services, and vendor discounts. This includes the valuation and off-systems tracking, and maintaining an audit trail for in-kind contributions. The incumbent is responsible for the financial reporting and audit defense of high-risk research agreements, preparation of forecasts and reports on funding revenues, analyzing and reconciling sponsor payments and preparing of accurate and complex financial reports for sponsors. The responsibilities are executed within a team of Research Accountants which may directly or for project-based tasks, indirectly report to the Senior Research Accountant (team lead).Your responsibilities will include:Prepare accurate and very complex financial reports for sponsors based on specific sponsor reporting requirements.Obtain and review financial information and supporting documentation from many sources, including the rejection of unacceptable, inaccurate or incomplete information and substitution of acceptable information.Prepare forecasts and reports on funding revenues for senior management alerting them to delays, obstacles, and potential problems.Work closely with internal and external auditors in the audit of research funds and projects including preparation of reports and schedules required by auditors.Supervise team members and execute all duties and activities associated with responsibilities.Work with grant administration staff in negotiating/implementing sponsor financial restrictions and requirements.Analyze and reconcile sponsor payments to ensure timely and accurate deposit of payments to the restricted fund account are made.Analysis of budget variance and Accounts Receivables collections.Essential Qualifications:Bachelor's degree in Business or Commerce or an acceptable equivalent combination of education and experience.Minimum of 5 years of relevant financial accounting experience including:experience in preparing financial statements for capital or other projects or fund accounting;experience in examining and analyzing financial records to ensure accuracy and compliance with established accounting standards and procedures;experience working with internal and/or external auditors;experience in making recommendations regarding fund administration;experience in building and fostering client relationships.Advanced knowledge of computerized financial accounting information systems required.Demonstrated understanding of the GAAP (Generally Accepted Accounting Principles).Strong oral and written communication skills and ability to communicate to both non-financial and financial individuals at varying levels within the organization.Strong computer skills, advanced level of keyboarding and spreadsheet skills.Ability to work in both team and independent structures with minimal supervision.Ability to exercise professionalism, integrity, objectivity, professional and ethical judgment.Strong critical thinking, problem solving and decision-making skills.Ability to work under pressure as well as manage changing priorities to meet deadlines.Assets (Nonessential):A recognized accounting designation (e.g., CA) is strongly preferred.University or Non-Profit Organization experience is preferred.Supervisory experience is an asset.Knowledge in SAP is an asset.To be successful in this role you will be:AccountableOrganizedClosing Date: 11/29/2024, 11:59PM ETEmployee Group: USWAppointment Type: Budget - ContinuingSchedule: Full-TimePay Scale Group & Hiring Zone:USW Pay Band 14 -- $90,056. with an annual step progression to a maximum of $115,169. Pay scale and job class assignment is subject to determination pursuant to the Job Evaluation/Pay Equity Maintenance Protocol.Job Category: Finance/Budget/Planning/AuditRecruiter: Anita ChooramanLived Experience Statement:Candidates who are members of Indigenous, Black, racialized and 2SLGBTQ+ communities, persons with disabilities, and other equity deserving groups are encouraged to apply, and their lived experience shall be taken into consideration as applicable to the posted position.All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however, Canadians and permanent residents will be given priority.Diversity StatementThe University of Toronto embraces Diversity and is building a culture of belonging that increases our capacity to effectively address and serve the interests of our global community. We strongly encourage applications from Indigenous Peoples, Black and racialized persons, women, persons with disabilities, and people of diverse sexual and gender identities. We value applicants who have demonstrated a commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion and recognize that diverse perspectives, experiences, and expertise are essential to strengthening our academic mission.Accessibility StatementThe University strives to be an equitable and inclusive community, and proactively seeks to increase diversity among its community members. Our values regarding equity and diversity are linked with our unwavering commitment to excellence in the pursuit of our academic mission. The University is committed to the principles of the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA). As such, we strive to make our recruitment, assessment and selection processes as accessible as possible and provide accommodations as required for applicants with disabilities.If you require any accommodations at any point during the application and hiring process, please contact ******.
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