Finance Assistant

Staff - Union

Job Category
CUPE 2950

Job Profile
CUPE 2950 Salaried - Financial Proc. Spec 4 (Gr5)

Job Title
Finance Assistant

Department
Expense Services | Finance | Faculty of Arts

Compensation Range
$3,762.00 - $3,955.00 CAD Monthly

Posting End Date
February 15, 2023

Note: Applications will be accepted until 11:59 PM on the day prior to the Posting End Date above.

Job End Date

Job Summary
The Arts Service Centre’s financial structure is service oriented and provides financial, budgetary, and reporting services to all units within the Faculty of Arts.
The Finance Assistant, working in a team setting, will process complex financial documents including preparing, reviewing and initiating expense reports, expenditure and receivable transactions. This role will have a portfolio of units from within the Faculty of Arts and will often be the first point of contact for department Administrators, Faculty and Staff with accounts payable needs. Provides guidance and information on various Faculty of Arts, UBC and granting agency policies to faculty, staff, and researchers and ensures they are correctly applied. This role is responsible for the entry of transactions directly into Workday. The Finance Assistant is expected to provide excellent customer service and maintain a detailed understanding of their client department’s budget and finances. Ensures that assigned work is accomplished in a timely fashion and that deadlines and service agreements are met.
Organizational Status
The Finance Assistant reports to the Manager, Expense Services. Each Arts Service Centre Finance Assistant supports a portfolio comprised of Departments, Institutes, Schools, Centres, Interdisciplinary Programs and Academic Service Units. The Faculty consists of 16 Departments, 6 Schools, 4 Institutes, Museum of Anthropology, Belkin Art Gallery, Chan Centre for the Performing Arts and various Programs. They work collaboratively with all members of the Arts Service Centre and Financial Operations.
Work Performed

- Prepares and processes complex financial documents related to accounts payable or revenue accounting. Requires verification of account worktag & spend category coding, signing authorities, appropriateness of expenditures, and adherence to University policies and generally accepted accounting principles. Documents include: expense reports, non-PO invoices, spend authorizations, domestic and international travel claims and cash receipts.
- Investigates and resolves errors and discrepancies in financial data for faculty and staff within their portfolio.
- Interprets and ensures adherence to specific UBC policies, Faculty of Arts policies, Tri-council and other Research Grant policies.
- Reconciles, monitors and investigates and resolves errors and discrepancies on various Worktags (Programs, Grants, Gifts and Projects) as well as petty cash and UBC VISA; taking appropriate corrective actions and following up on outstanding items.
- Responds to queries from Departments, Institutes, Schools and Centres, interprets and accurately communicates written policies and procedures.
- Reviews funding availability on research grants and follows up if insufficient funding with units.
- Assesses the accuracy of GST, PST and/or HST on invoices and self-assesses such taxes where necessary.
- Creates Purchase Requisitions for the issuance of a Purchase Order. Prepares HR Fast Track Assessment Forms for payments made to independent contractors.

-Creates Suppliers for the Departments as necessary.
- Prepares, maintains and distributes financial reports, ledgers, Statements of Accounts (Form 300s) and summaries as required.
- Participates in the year-end processes and prepare budget variance reports, analysis and financial statements
- Develops expertise in Workday HR business processes.
- Participates actively in requirements sessions and design/test sessions for new systems development and roll-out. Trains and supports others in the use of new systems especially during major roll-outs.
- Provides input for Arts finance policies and procedures, drafts routine correspondence or basic training material and provides input on the development of training material.
- Responsible for the file management and/or archiving of all accounting documentation required to be kept by the Finance Unit; or responsible for returning it as needed to the originating departments.
- Perform all other related duties.
Consequence of Error/Judgement
This position is required to exercise considerable tact, discretion and initiative in the performance of duties. Errors in judgement and poor customer services will result in significant financial and reputational losses. A high level of security and confidentiality is required in all financial transactions. Payment delays can result in poor relations with supplies/vendors. Errors in Workday could result in inappropriate financial management decisions.
Supervision Received
Reports to the Manager, Expense Services. Receives day-to-day direction from Coordinator, Expense Services. May be supervised for specific tasks by the Finance Manager.
Supervision Given
May explain work procedures to new or inexperienced staff as well as student workers.
Minimum Qualifications
High school graduation, plus two-year post-secondary diploma in accounting, plus three years of relevant accounting experience, or an equivalent combination of education and related experience.
Preferred Qualifications

Experience with ERP systems preferred. Demonstrated knowledge or and ability to apply generally accepted accounting principles. Knowledge of Canadian tax laws an asset. Ability to exercise tact, good judgment and initiative in decision-making and problem solving. Ability to be thorough, accurate and have a high level of attention to detail. Ability to effectively use word processing, spreadsheet and database applications at an intermediate level (Word, Excel). Effective oral and written communication, interpersonal, planning and organizational skills. Ability to work effectively under pressure and manage multiple tasks and priorities. Ability to work effectively independently and in a team environment. Ability to provide quality service to customers in a courteous, respectful and patient manner. Ability to research transaction details through financial computer systems and paperwork. Ability to analyze problems, identify key information and issues and effectively resolve.