Research Accounting Assistant

This position is a part of the Non-Academic Staff Association (NASA).

This position has an end date of May 16, 2025, and offers a comprehensive benefits package which can be viewed on our Benefits Overview page .

Location- This role is hybrid with a mix of remote and in person.

Working for the University of Alberta

The University of Alberta acknowledges that we are located on Treaty 6 territory, and respects the histories, languages and cultures of First Nations, Métis, Inuit and all First Peoples of Canada, whose presence continues to enrich our vibrant community.

The University of Alberta is teeming with change makers, community builders, and world shapers who lead with purpose each and every day. We are home to more than 40,000 students in 200+ undergraduate and 500+ graduate programs, over 13,000 faculty and staff, 260,000 alumni worldwide and have been recognized as one of Canada’s Greenest Employers for over a decade.

Your work will have a meaningful influence on a fascinating cross section of people—from our students and stakeholders, to our renowned researchers and innovators who are quite literally curing diseases, making discoveries and generating solutions that make the world healthier, safer, stronger, and more just.

Working for the Department

The Canadian Mountain Network (CMN) is a national research network funded by the Government of Canada’s Networks of Centres of Excellence program. CMN will be transitioning to Braiding Knowledges Canada (Not-for-Profit funded by the Strategic Science Fund). Reporting to the Operation Manager, this position will manage and account for Network financial transactions, including coordination with the Finance Departments of the University, Network Members, funding partners, other partner organizations, and with the Network’s bank.

Position 

The Research Accounting Assistant will also be responsible for issuing research funding to CMN/BKC Network Investigators, purchasing activities of the Network, and ensuring that all transactions are performed in an accurate, consistent, effective, timely and reliable manner. The incumbent must liaise with internal and external clients and suppliers and, in doing so, acts as an ambassador for the Network. In addition, the incumbent will work with external auditors and controller to produce required Network financial reports and statements. The Research Accounting Assistant plays an important role in the annual reporting to the NCE program.

Duties 

A.   FINANCE AND BUDGET SUPPORT

• Completes month end reconciliation of CMN accounts and University trust and liability accounts
• Completes monthly bank reconciliations
• Maintains the accounting records for CMN and ensures expenditures are properly authorized and documented in accordance with University and Sponsor policies and procedures
• Works with the Executive Director to resolve inter-fund reconciliations and discrepancies in expenditure eligibility
• Creates quarterly and annual consolidated financial statements in accordance with Canadian Generally Accepted Accounting Principles for all operating accounts, complete with variance analysis, for Management and Finance and Audit Committee review
• Monitors and performs financial and variance analysis on accounts, activities, and transactions; identifies anomalies or non-budgeted transactions and resolve discrepancies
• Develops Standard Operating Procedures for all financial transactions and activities of CMN 
• Prepares all documents required for issuance of research grants and works with the UofA finance service to release research funding to other Network institutions
• Supports the Executive Director in the development of the Network's consolidated budget and financial plan to ensure completeness and accuracy of budgets
• Collects and reviews annual financial reports from all CMN funded projects (including reports on matching funds). Checks for accuracy and financial variances, and inquires with investigators/RSO on these variances
• Responds to financial inquiries from Directors, Financial Services, Network investigators, Research Service Office, Supply Management, and CRA

B.   ACCOUNTING OPERATIONS

• Monitors daily activities to ensure accounts payable/receivable and reconciliation processes are completed in a timely manner
• Creates invoices and ensures their payment is processed within the net period
• Responsible for all purchasing activities required for the CMN administrative office operations
• Under the direction of the Executive Director, issues grants to Network investigators. Works with Finance Services and ensures that funding is disbursed from the liability account and received at the recipient’s institution
• Ensures all CMN transactions are completely and accurately recorded in the accounting software
• Completes journal entries and extracts data for analysis and management summary from the accounting software
• Reviews the travel and expense claims processed by the Administrative Assistant as needed to ensure compliance with UAPPOL Policies
• Under the direction of the Executive Director, works with the external auditors to complete their review of the Corporation's year end
• Ensures the accuracy of GST & payroll reporting and timely remittance to CRA, communicates with CRA as required

Qualifications

• Accounting degree (equivalent combinations of schooling and experience will be considered)
• Minimum 3-5 years' experience with financial reporting, budgets, and financial reconciliation required
• An in-depth understanding of generally accepted accounting principles
• Demonstrated expertise in financial processes and internal controls
• An understanding of internal and external audit requirements
• Experience in managing budgets and financial spreadsheets and reports including consolidation of financial statements
• Analytical and financial modelling skills with intermediate to advanced spreadsheet abilities
• Considerable experience with large complex finance systems
• Demonstrates a high-level organization and time management skills
• Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal, with an ability to communicate with a wide range of stakeholders
• Must be customer service oriented
• Must be detail oriented, flexible and able to work with ongoing and tight deadlines, prioritize conflicting tasks and have excellent organizational skills
• Ability to make responsible decisions, maintain confidentiality, work well independently and as part of a team
• Familiarity with PeopleSoft an asset
• Familiarity with Etrac, Beanworks, Zoho Expense, & Quickbooks 

At the University of Alberta, we are committed to creating an inclusive and accessible hiring process for all candidates. If you require accommodations to participate in the interview process, please let us know at the time of booking your interview and we will make every effort to accommodate your needs.

Note: Online applications are accepted until midnight Mountain Standard Time of the closing date.

We thank all applicants for their interest; however, only those individuals selected for an interview will be contacted.