SENIOR RESEARCH ACCOUNTANT (REPOST)

At McMaster University, we strive to attract, develop, and retain talented faculty and staff, and to foster inclusive excellence which values the strengths, perspectives, and contributions of each individual. McMaster is one of the Top 70 Universities in the World and is recognized as Canada’s Most Research-Intensive University.  McMaster continues to be recognized as one of the top employers in the Hamilton/Niagara region and one of Canada’s Top Diversity employers.

The Faculty of Health Sciences (FHS), the largest Faculty within McMaster, is unique as the only Canadian university that combines schools of medicine (including two regional campuses), nursing, rehabilitation science, and the programs of midwifery, Bachelor of Health Sciences, physician assistant and postgraduate health sciences education within one faculty.  Our pioneering approaches to education and our reputation for world-class research has consistently placed McMaster and the Faculty among the top 50 universities in the world for health and medicine. 

Those who join FHS will find a community of 5,400 talented individuals who are inspired by the faculty’s commitment to our values of interprofessional collaboration, commitment to our communities, accountability, innovation, excellence, integrity, respect, and optimism. 

The Health Sciences Research Finance team provides a wide range of financial services to researchers in the Faculty of Health Sciences, including those located at affiliated hospitals.These services include authorization of expenditures, cheque deposits, account management, and preparation of financial statements. You can find out more about us here!

We are currently searching for an experienced and motivated Senior Research Accountant to join our team. Reporting to the Assistant Director, Research Finance, this role is a key conitrubiutor in ensuring the Faculty of Health Sciences' research project finaances are being overseen efficently and effectively at all times.

Job Summary:

Responsible for managing the financial activities of a portfolio of research projects involving University commitments, inter-institutional and private sector partnerships, as well as federal and provincial granting agencies.

Purpose and Key Functions:

• Interpret and communicate applicable financial policies, procedures and guidelines to researchers and administrative personnel.
• Develop strategies for improving the efficiency and effectiveness of maximizing fund usage.
• Ensure research submissions, funding agreements, budgets, financial transactions, and financial reports comply with research contracts and current University and granting agency policies.
• Provide financial policy, procedure, and guideline information to cross-functional research groups at inception of award to ensure the group proceeds in accordance with University and sponsor policies.
• Review research accounts with researchers and administrative personnel.
• Monitor the financial status of projects.
• Identify and resolve financial issues with projects.
• Assist with internal and external audits by preparing audit files and responding to auditor inquiries.
• Develop financial budgets for submission with grant applications at the pre-award stage.
• Prepare financial projections and make adjustments to budgets throughout the fiscal year.
• Update researchers and administrative personnel on the status of accounts and provide recommendations on how to approach specific issues that need to be resolved.
• Develop customized spreadsheets for ad-hoc reports, queries, and financial analysis.
• Create forecasting and budgeting templates.
• Analyze and assess eligible research space and costs by gathering and compiling construction documents such as blueprints, engineer and architect comments, contribution budgets, and expense details.
• Generate invoices for granting agencies and ensure the collection of funds.
• Notify researchers and administrative personnel of account overdrafts and work with them to clear overdrafts.
• Facilitate and participate in working groups to streamline and improve research finance internal controls and respond to audit recommendations.
• Attend and participate in research group and departmental meetings.
• Develop and deliver training and information sessions.
• Scrutinize research contracts, policies, and guidelines for minor changes.
• Remain current with changes to granting agency policies and inform others of the change in rules for eligibility and administrative processes.
• Maintain the confidentiality of research funding and contract information.

Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration or related field.
• Completion of advanced level courses of a recognized Canadian accounting designation.
• Requires a minimum of 3 years of relevant experience.

What We Offer:

In addition to joining a Top Ranked University, McMaster offers a very competitive Total Compensation Package that includes, but is not limited to:

• Employer Paid benefits such as Extended Health, Dental, Emergency Out-of-Country Travel Coverage & Basic Life Insurance.
• Participation in a competitive Contributory Pension Plan
• Progressive paid annual vacation plan.
• Training, coaching and professional development opportunities.
• Employee tuition assistance for continuous development and education.
• Opportunity to be a part of an academic environment working alongside professionals who share a passion for learning.

For more information, please visit McMaster's Total Rewards website here!