Top Benefits
About the role
OCAD University acknowledges the ancestral territories of the Mississaugas of the Credit, the Haudenosaunee, the Anishinaabeg and the Huron-Wendat, who are the original owners and custodians of the land on which we live, work and create
Please note that internal job postings are open only to current permanent OPSEU Local 576 Unit 1 employees and temporary OPSEU Local 576 Unit 1 employees with one year of continuous service.
Reporting jointly to the Controller, Finance and Director, Research Services, the Research Accountant provides accounting, accounting systems information, and financial administration advice to researchers, research sponsors and financial accounting staff at partner institutions. Responsible for the collection and review of financial information and supporting documentation for a diverse range of research-related activities, including the Inclusive Design Research Centre (IDRC). Responsible for reporting cash and in-kind contributions and expenditure for such activities to ensure compliance with the University’s and sponsor’s financial administration policies and procedures, and generally accepted accounting principles. 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, as well as the valuation and off-systems tracking, and maintenance of an audit trail for in-kind contributions.
Summary of Responsibilities:
Planning & Budgeting:
- Review of service contracts, all pre-award in-kind and sector/university contributions prior to review by the Director, Finance
- Work with Research Services staff in implementing sponsor financial restrictions and requirements
- Alert Principal Investigators (PIs) and senior administrators to anticipated and actual variances from approved budgets; reconcile actual versus budget and examine and recommend solutions to project deficits and surpluses in accordance with University and sponsor policies
- Meet with PIs and other stakeholders as needed to review expenditures and variances
- Provide training, documentation, and guidance to PIs and administrative staff, about research financial information
- Communicate with sponsors, partner institutions, and other external parties, for reports, collections, eligibility clarification, budget changes, and other inquiries as required
Reporting & Audits:
- Maintain an accounting and reporting structure that meets the individual needs of each project
- Prepare and submit financial reports for sponsors/funders on specific sponsor/funder reporting requirements based on financial system information and other sources as required
- Utilize an advanced level of spreadsheet and accounting skills to accumulate on- and off-systems financial information, design and produce all research financial reports that are timely, accurate and free of errors; use Sponsor reporting tools as required
- Generate and save reports from reporting software as backup for reports and/or invoices going out to funders/sponsors
- Proactively seek out information on the financial management and reporting requirements of the University’s research funding partners
- Prepare year-end reconciliation of research accounts ensuring all accounts are accurate, complete and follow proper cut off
- Work closely with Finance Office staff to prepare and coordinate the activities of external project auditors; and assist in the annual audit of the University
Bookkeeping:
- Prepare budget adjustment entries and Journal Entries, including required backup
- For payment received, prepare and post journal entries in Colleague, to ensure that revenues have been deposited on a timely and accurate basis
- Review invoices received and forward for the timely transfer of funds to partner institutions
- Analyze, reconcile, and prepare reports on research funding receivables for University management alerting them to delays, obstacles and potential problems
- Review purchasing documentation in accounting software for research accounts prior to processing of Purchase Orders, including availability of funds and eligibility of expenditures, according to sponsor and University guidelines
- Review & approve research hiring requests for sufficiency of budget in research accounts prior to processing
- Use accounting software to track expenditures against approved budget amounts and budget lines
- Review invoices, P-card purchases, and reimbursements requests for compliance with sponsor eligibility guidelines, OCAD U policies, and availability of funds; follow up as required and collect required approval(s)
- Using Research Administration Software, track and request invoices for research projects where required by funding agreement
- Track and prepare documentation for allocation of the University’s research overhead income in accordance with University policies
- Track individual Researchers’ Overhead in excel outside the accounting system and inform the overhead available balances to Researchers every quarter; review request from researchers to spend from their overhead account with respect to University policies.
General:
- Assist the Director, Research Services and Controller in the development and documentation of relevant policies and procedures
- Assist with IT systems related projects and process improvements, including the implementation of university wide changes, technology upgrades, workplace culture initiatives, and sustainability
- Perform other related duties in support of the University’s research and finance activities as required
Qualifications:
- Post-secondary education in a relevant field and completion of an accredited accounting program (CPA or equivalent) or acceptable equivalent combination of education and experience
- A minimum of four (4) years of recent relevant financial accounting experience including documentation and financial statement preparation
- Experience with fund accounting, preferably in a university or non-profit environment; specific experience in research accounting and financial reporting a definite asset
- Proven organizational abilities, attention to detail, and initiative
- Demonstrated ability to identify, analyze, understand and act on complex grant, contract, memorandum and other related documentation
- Demonstrated experience supporting multi-disciplinary teams and managing complex communications between parties, as well as excellent oral and written communication skills
- Demonstrated judgment and discretion in dealing with confidential or sensitive matters
- Proven ability to meet deadlines and work well with high volume, pressure, and changing priorities
- Excellent technical computing skills as they relate to research and finance systems, and Microsoft Office
- Demonstrated commitment to the principles of equity and diversity, and experience promoting a respectful work and learning environment for students, staff and faculty
**Compensation:**OPSEU Unit 1, Appendix B, Grade B1; $57,486.45 to $75,566.13 per annum
Hours of Work: Monday to Friday, for a total of 35 hours per week. Position expected to begin December 8, 2025.
Mode of Work: Hybrid Model
Interested internal permanent OPSEU Local 576 Unit 1 or temporary OPSEU Local 576 Unit 1 employees with one year of continuous service applicants are invited to submit an updated *resume and cover letter (PDF) , no later than Monday, August 18th, 2025.
- Please upload your resume and cover letter as one PDF*. Please name your upload:* FirstName_LastName-Job Code
As an employer committed to employment equity, we encourage applications from members of equity-deserving communities including women, racialized and Indigenous persons, persons with disabilities, and persons of all sexual orientations and gender identities/expressions.
We encourage members of designated equity-deserving groups to self-identify within the voluntary Applicant Questionnaire*.*
In order to alleviate the under-representation of racialized and Indigenous administrators, priority in hiring will be given to qualified racialized and Indigenous persons who self-identify as such in the application process. This initiative is a special program under the Ontario Human Rights Code*.*
OCAD University is committed to providing an inclusive and barrier free experience to applicants with accessibility needs. Requests for accommodation can be made at any stage during the recruitment process. Please contact People & Culture for more information or refer to OCAD U’s Policy of Accommodation in Employment for Persons with Disabilities.
All qualified persons are encouraged to apply; however, Canadians and permanent residents of Canada will be given priority. While we thank all candidates for their interest, only those short-listed will be contacted.
Top Benefits
About the role
OCAD University acknowledges the ancestral territories of the Mississaugas of the Credit, the Haudenosaunee, the Anishinaabeg and the Huron-Wendat, who are the original owners and custodians of the land on which we live, work and create
Please note that internal job postings are open only to current permanent OPSEU Local 576 Unit 1 employees and temporary OPSEU Local 576 Unit 1 employees with one year of continuous service.
Reporting jointly to the Controller, Finance and Director, Research Services, the Research Accountant provides accounting, accounting systems information, and financial administration advice to researchers, research sponsors and financial accounting staff at partner institutions. Responsible for the collection and review of financial information and supporting documentation for a diverse range of research-related activities, including the Inclusive Design Research Centre (IDRC). Responsible for reporting cash and in-kind contributions and expenditure for such activities to ensure compliance with the University’s and sponsor’s financial administration policies and procedures, and generally accepted accounting principles. 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, as well as the valuation and off-systems tracking, and maintenance of an audit trail for in-kind contributions.
Summary of Responsibilities:
Planning & Budgeting:
- Review of service contracts, all pre-award in-kind and sector/university contributions prior to review by the Director, Finance
- Work with Research Services staff in implementing sponsor financial restrictions and requirements
- Alert Principal Investigators (PIs) and senior administrators to anticipated and actual variances from approved budgets; reconcile actual versus budget and examine and recommend solutions to project deficits and surpluses in accordance with University and sponsor policies
- Meet with PIs and other stakeholders as needed to review expenditures and variances
- Provide training, documentation, and guidance to PIs and administrative staff, about research financial information
- Communicate with sponsors, partner institutions, and other external parties, for reports, collections, eligibility clarification, budget changes, and other inquiries as required
Reporting & Audits:
- Maintain an accounting and reporting structure that meets the individual needs of each project
- Prepare and submit financial reports for sponsors/funders on specific sponsor/funder reporting requirements based on financial system information and other sources as required
- Utilize an advanced level of spreadsheet and accounting skills to accumulate on- and off-systems financial information, design and produce all research financial reports that are timely, accurate and free of errors; use Sponsor reporting tools as required
- Generate and save reports from reporting software as backup for reports and/or invoices going out to funders/sponsors
- Proactively seek out information on the financial management and reporting requirements of the University’s research funding partners
- Prepare year-end reconciliation of research accounts ensuring all accounts are accurate, complete and follow proper cut off
- Work closely with Finance Office staff to prepare and coordinate the activities of external project auditors; and assist in the annual audit of the University
Bookkeeping:
- Prepare budget adjustment entries and Journal Entries, including required backup
- For payment received, prepare and post journal entries in Colleague, to ensure that revenues have been deposited on a timely and accurate basis
- Review invoices received and forward for the timely transfer of funds to partner institutions
- Analyze, reconcile, and prepare reports on research funding receivables for University management alerting them to delays, obstacles and potential problems
- Review purchasing documentation in accounting software for research accounts prior to processing of Purchase Orders, including availability of funds and eligibility of expenditures, according to sponsor and University guidelines
- Review & approve research hiring requests for sufficiency of budget in research accounts prior to processing
- Use accounting software to track expenditures against approved budget amounts and budget lines
- Review invoices, P-card purchases, and reimbursements requests for compliance with sponsor eligibility guidelines, OCAD U policies, and availability of funds; follow up as required and collect required approval(s)
- Using Research Administration Software, track and request invoices for research projects where required by funding agreement
- Track and prepare documentation for allocation of the University’s research overhead income in accordance with University policies
- Track individual Researchers’ Overhead in excel outside the accounting system and inform the overhead available balances to Researchers every quarter; review request from researchers to spend from their overhead account with respect to University policies.
General:
- Assist the Director, Research Services and Controller in the development and documentation of relevant policies and procedures
- Assist with IT systems related projects and process improvements, including the implementation of university wide changes, technology upgrades, workplace culture initiatives, and sustainability
- Perform other related duties in support of the University’s research and finance activities as required
Qualifications:
- Post-secondary education in a relevant field and completion of an accredited accounting program (CPA or equivalent) or acceptable equivalent combination of education and experience
- A minimum of four (4) years of recent relevant financial accounting experience including documentation and financial statement preparation
- Experience with fund accounting, preferably in a university or non-profit environment; specific experience in research accounting and financial reporting a definite asset
- Proven organizational abilities, attention to detail, and initiative
- Demonstrated ability to identify, analyze, understand and act on complex grant, contract, memorandum and other related documentation
- Demonstrated experience supporting multi-disciplinary teams and managing complex communications between parties, as well as excellent oral and written communication skills
- Demonstrated judgment and discretion in dealing with confidential or sensitive matters
- Proven ability to meet deadlines and work well with high volume, pressure, and changing priorities
- Excellent technical computing skills as they relate to research and finance systems, and Microsoft Office
- Demonstrated commitment to the principles of equity and diversity, and experience promoting a respectful work and learning environment for students, staff and faculty
**Compensation:**OPSEU Unit 1, Appendix B, Grade B1; $57,486.45 to $75,566.13 per annum
Hours of Work: Monday to Friday, for a total of 35 hours per week. Position expected to begin December 8, 2025.
Mode of Work: Hybrid Model
Interested internal permanent OPSEU Local 576 Unit 1 or temporary OPSEU Local 576 Unit 1 employees with one year of continuous service applicants are invited to submit an updated *resume and cover letter (PDF) , no later than Monday, August 18th, 2025.
- Please upload your resume and cover letter as one PDF*. Please name your upload:* FirstName_LastName-Job Code
As an employer committed to employment equity, we encourage applications from members of equity-deserving communities including women, racialized and Indigenous persons, persons with disabilities, and persons of all sexual orientations and gender identities/expressions.
We encourage members of designated equity-deserving groups to self-identify within the voluntary Applicant Questionnaire*.*
In order to alleviate the under-representation of racialized and Indigenous administrators, priority in hiring will be given to qualified racialized and Indigenous persons who self-identify as such in the application process. This initiative is a special program under the Ontario Human Rights Code*.*
OCAD University is committed to providing an inclusive and barrier free experience to applicants with accessibility needs. Requests for accommodation can be made at any stage during the recruitment process. Please contact People & Culture for more information or refer to OCAD U’s Policy of Accommodation in Employment for Persons with Disabilities.
All qualified persons are encouraged to apply; however, Canadians and permanent residents of Canada will be given priority. While we thank all candidates for their interest, only those short-listed will be contacted.