Financial Officer
About the role
At the University of Waterloo, we create and promote a culture where everyone can reach their full potential. As an employee, you get support & opportunities that empower you to advance your career. Explore how we can bring big ideas to life, together. The University is a welcoming workplace for those of all abilities, interests, and expertise. As part of our workforce, you can do what you do best, every day.
Learn more about our recruitment process.
Job Requisition ID:
2025-00910
Time Type:
Full time
Employee Group:
Staff
Job Category:
Financial Planning and Reporting
Employment Type:
Permanent
Department:
Faculty of Mathematics - Cheriton School of Computer Science - Administration
Hiring Range:
$78,214.70 - $97,768.38
Posting Information:
The internal posting deadline is November 27, 2025 at 11:59pm.
Job Description:
Primary Purpose
The Financial Officer is accountable for the financial management of the School, including its Computing Facility. This includes control of all financial activity in all funds, ensuring that proper management tools are applied; liaison with the School executives on financial matters; long- and short-term financial planning; and, other finance-related functions that may be requested.
Key Accountabilities
Financial Planning
· Planning and coordinating the development of the School’s annual operating budget in consultation with the Directors, the Administrative Officer (AO), and the Faculty Financial Officer (FFO).
· Preparing multi-year projections of the School’s financial position of all funds, identifying any concerns and proposing potential solutions.
· Identification of financial consequences of long-term plans and proposals to facilitate effective strategic decision making.
· Preparation of financial documentation to Directors to aid their decision making (e.g. budget allocations, teaching resource summaries).
· Plans and administers the allocation of special funds e.g. Startup Funding, Indirect Costs, Fellowships.
· Reviewing and advising on agreements and memoranda of understanding for relationships within the School of Computer Science and with institutes regarding management and internal control of research funds.
Financial Management & Analysis
· Administering the operating budget and expenses, including monitoring of scholarships awarded by School.
· Reconciling expenses, including payroll of ongoing staff, contract staff and faculty.
· Reviewing expenses to ensure compliance with university policies and procedures as well as those imposed externally by donors and granting agencies.
· Liaise with the FFO and Office of Research on issues related to financial policy interpretation.
· Review all operating, trust and endowment accounts within the School. Provide dashboard reports as requested by the School’s management.
· Liaison with other units in cases where interdisciplinary or institutional activity are being performed.
· Oversee and support production of reports to meet third party funding agency requirements.
· Provides oversight for the management of Pcard processes including the management of HST
coding in adherence with CRA policies.
Internal Controls
· Designing and implementing internal processes and documentation to ensure compliance with University and Faculty policies and procedures,
· Monitoring internal controls in respect of all funds and communicating improvements to affected faculty and staff,
· In collaboration with the Office of Research, ensuring that sufficient financial training and support is provided to researchers and administrative staff to allow them to manage their accounts,
· Co-ordinating the setup of financial structures to ensure activity is properly managed through its duration,
· Meeting regularly with the administrative staff to support effective financial planning, management and internal control and to encourage the sharing of best practices throughout the School.
Leadership and Staff Management
· Oversee day to day activity and assignments of direct reports,
· Provide and promote opportunities for training and professional development of direct reports.
· Hold employees accountable for performance through informal methods such as regular feedback and coaching, as well as the formal performance appraisal process,
· Ensure appropriate staffing levels, including back-up and cross-training support to balance workloads and meet the expectations required for smooth and efficient daily operations of the finance team,
· Ensure Finance Coordinators work proactively to provide a high level of customer service to faculty, staff and students.
· Train SCS Faculty and Staff on financial and budgetary procedures, ensuring that transactions and
reporting within SCS adheres to UW policies and are executed efficiently.
Communication and Training
· Provide leadership to the School to ensure compliance and best practices,
· Training, coaching and development of staff on financial, reporting and budgetary issues,
· Document processes to ensure compliance and clarity,
· Develop collaborative and productive working relationships with staff across the School and the Faculty,
· Providing accounting advice and support to individual researchers and research groups.
Required Qualifications
Education
· Bachelor’s Degree in Finance or Business related discipline or equivalent education and experience,
· Canadian CPA designation is required.
Experience
· A minimum of 5 years progressive and demonstrated experience in financial management with a
proven track record of implementing financial business practices and systems in a dynamic
working environment.
· Proven experience in financial reporting, internal controls, financial analysis, budgeting,
forecasting and accounting.
· Prior experience working in a post-secondary educational institution is considered an asset.
Knowledge/Skills/Abilities
· Intermediate/Advanced experience with MicroSoft Excel including features such as databases and pivot tables.
· Demonstrated high level analytical ability and data management experience.
· Aptitude for accurate and detailed work and the proven ability to prioritize and manage workflow in a
· high-volume environment.
· Excellent interpersonal, oral and written communication skills
· Demonstrated ability to work well independently and in a team environment.
· Basic experience with web content management software and ecommerce.
· Experience with online financial reporting systems.
· Experience with online human resource management systems.
Equity Statement
The University of Waterloo acknowledges that much of our work takes place on the traditional territory of the Neutral, Anishinaabeg, and Haudenosaunee peoples. Our main campus is situated on the Haldimand Tract, the land granted to the Six Nations that includes six miles on each side of the Grand River. Our active work toward reconciliation takes place across our campuses through research, learning, teaching, and community building, and is coordinated within the Office of Indigenous Relations.
The University values the diverse and intersectional identities of its students, faculty, and staff. The University regards equity and diversity as an integral part of academic excellence and is committed to accessibility for all employees. The University of Waterloo seeks applicants who embrace our values of equity, anti-racism and inclusion. As such, we encourage applications from candidates who have been historically disadvantaged and marginalized, including applicants who identify as First Nations, Métis and/or Inuk (Inuit), Black, racialized, a person with a disability, women and/or 2SLGBTQ+.
Positions are open to qualified candidates who are legally entitled to work in Canada.
The University of Waterloo is committed to accessibility for persons with disabilities. If you have any application, interview, or workplace accommodation requests, please contact Human Resources at hrhelp@uwaterloo.ca or 519-888-4567, ext. 45935.
About University of Waterloo
University of Waterloo is a leader in innovation that drives economic and social prosperity for Canada and the world. We are home to a renowned talent pipeline, game-changing research and technology, and unmatched entrepreneurial culture, that together create solutions to tackle today’s and tomorrow’s challenges.
Our greatest impact happens together.
A strategic integration of research and teaching excellence, the world’s largest co-operative education program, entrepreneurship-intensive programs, and creator-owned IP, has resulted in extensive industry collaboration, the generation of thousands of commercial and social enterprises, and a dynamic learning experience for more than 41,000 undergraduate and graduate students.
Financial Officer
About the role
At the University of Waterloo, we create and promote a culture where everyone can reach their full potential. As an employee, you get support & opportunities that empower you to advance your career. Explore how we can bring big ideas to life, together. The University is a welcoming workplace for those of all abilities, interests, and expertise. As part of our workforce, you can do what you do best, every day.
Learn more about our recruitment process.
Job Requisition ID:
2025-00910
Time Type:
Full time
Employee Group:
Staff
Job Category:
Financial Planning and Reporting
Employment Type:
Permanent
Department:
Faculty of Mathematics - Cheriton School of Computer Science - Administration
Hiring Range:
$78,214.70 - $97,768.38
Posting Information:
The internal posting deadline is November 27, 2025 at 11:59pm.
Job Description:
Primary Purpose
The Financial Officer is accountable for the financial management of the School, including its Computing Facility. This includes control of all financial activity in all funds, ensuring that proper management tools are applied; liaison with the School executives on financial matters; long- and short-term financial planning; and, other finance-related functions that may be requested.
Key Accountabilities
Financial Planning
· Planning and coordinating the development of the School’s annual operating budget in consultation with the Directors, the Administrative Officer (AO), and the Faculty Financial Officer (FFO).
· Preparing multi-year projections of the School’s financial position of all funds, identifying any concerns and proposing potential solutions.
· Identification of financial consequences of long-term plans and proposals to facilitate effective strategic decision making.
· Preparation of financial documentation to Directors to aid their decision making (e.g. budget allocations, teaching resource summaries).
· Plans and administers the allocation of special funds e.g. Startup Funding, Indirect Costs, Fellowships.
· Reviewing and advising on agreements and memoranda of understanding for relationships within the School of Computer Science and with institutes regarding management and internal control of research funds.
Financial Management & Analysis
· Administering the operating budget and expenses, including monitoring of scholarships awarded by School.
· Reconciling expenses, including payroll of ongoing staff, contract staff and faculty.
· Reviewing expenses to ensure compliance with university policies and procedures as well as those imposed externally by donors and granting agencies.
· Liaise with the FFO and Office of Research on issues related to financial policy interpretation.
· Review all operating, trust and endowment accounts within the School. Provide dashboard reports as requested by the School’s management.
· Liaison with other units in cases where interdisciplinary or institutional activity are being performed.
· Oversee and support production of reports to meet third party funding agency requirements.
· Provides oversight for the management of Pcard processes including the management of HST
coding in adherence with CRA policies.
Internal Controls
· Designing and implementing internal processes and documentation to ensure compliance with University and Faculty policies and procedures,
· Monitoring internal controls in respect of all funds and communicating improvements to affected faculty and staff,
· In collaboration with the Office of Research, ensuring that sufficient financial training and support is provided to researchers and administrative staff to allow them to manage their accounts,
· Co-ordinating the setup of financial structures to ensure activity is properly managed through its duration,
· Meeting regularly with the administrative staff to support effective financial planning, management and internal control and to encourage the sharing of best practices throughout the School.
Leadership and Staff Management
· Oversee day to day activity and assignments of direct reports,
· Provide and promote opportunities for training and professional development of direct reports.
· Hold employees accountable for performance through informal methods such as regular feedback and coaching, as well as the formal performance appraisal process,
· Ensure appropriate staffing levels, including back-up and cross-training support to balance workloads and meet the expectations required for smooth and efficient daily operations of the finance team,
· Ensure Finance Coordinators work proactively to provide a high level of customer service to faculty, staff and students.
· Train SCS Faculty and Staff on financial and budgetary procedures, ensuring that transactions and
reporting within SCS adheres to UW policies and are executed efficiently.
Communication and Training
· Provide leadership to the School to ensure compliance and best practices,
· Training, coaching and development of staff on financial, reporting and budgetary issues,
· Document processes to ensure compliance and clarity,
· Develop collaborative and productive working relationships with staff across the School and the Faculty,
· Providing accounting advice and support to individual researchers and research groups.
Required Qualifications
Education
· Bachelor’s Degree in Finance or Business related discipline or equivalent education and experience,
· Canadian CPA designation is required.
Experience
· A minimum of 5 years progressive and demonstrated experience in financial management with a
proven track record of implementing financial business practices and systems in a dynamic
working environment.
· Proven experience in financial reporting, internal controls, financial analysis, budgeting,
forecasting and accounting.
· Prior experience working in a post-secondary educational institution is considered an asset.
Knowledge/Skills/Abilities
· Intermediate/Advanced experience with MicroSoft Excel including features such as databases and pivot tables.
· Demonstrated high level analytical ability and data management experience.
· Aptitude for accurate and detailed work and the proven ability to prioritize and manage workflow in a
· high-volume environment.
· Excellent interpersonal, oral and written communication skills
· Demonstrated ability to work well independently and in a team environment.
· Basic experience with web content management software and ecommerce.
· Experience with online financial reporting systems.
· Experience with online human resource management systems.
Equity Statement
The University of Waterloo acknowledges that much of our work takes place on the traditional territory of the Neutral, Anishinaabeg, and Haudenosaunee peoples. Our main campus is situated on the Haldimand Tract, the land granted to the Six Nations that includes six miles on each side of the Grand River. Our active work toward reconciliation takes place across our campuses through research, learning, teaching, and community building, and is coordinated within the Office of Indigenous Relations.
The University values the diverse and intersectional identities of its students, faculty, and staff. The University regards equity and diversity as an integral part of academic excellence and is committed to accessibility for all employees. The University of Waterloo seeks applicants who embrace our values of equity, anti-racism and inclusion. As such, we encourage applications from candidates who have been historically disadvantaged and marginalized, including applicants who identify as First Nations, Métis and/or Inuk (Inuit), Black, racialized, a person with a disability, women and/or 2SLGBTQ+.
Positions are open to qualified candidates who are legally entitled to work in Canada.
The University of Waterloo is committed to accessibility for persons with disabilities. If you have any application, interview, or workplace accommodation requests, please contact Human Resources at hrhelp@uwaterloo.ca or 519-888-4567, ext. 45935.
About University of Waterloo
University of Waterloo is a leader in innovation that drives economic and social prosperity for Canada and the world. We are home to a renowned talent pipeline, game-changing research and technology, and unmatched entrepreneurial culture, that together create solutions to tackle today’s and tomorrow’s challenges.
Our greatest impact happens together.
A strategic integration of research and teaching excellence, the world’s largest co-operative education program, entrepreneurship-intensive programs, and creator-owned IP, has resulted in extensive industry collaboration, the generation of thousands of commercial and social enterprises, and a dynamic learning experience for more than 41,000 undergraduate and graduate students.