Finance and Payroll Assistant

Job summary

The Finance and Payroll Assistant supports the department's operating and trust portfolios by monitoring budgets, reconciling accounts, and preparing financial reports. The role also involves processing payroll and ensuring the accuracy of financial transactions in accordance with university policies.

Job details

Date Posted: 09/11/2026Req ID: 50152Faculty/Division: University CollegeDepartment: College AdministrationCampus: St. George (Downtown Toronto)Position Number: 00054197 Existing Vacancy: Yes Description: About us:The Faculty of Arts & Science is the heart of Canada’s leading university and one of the most comprehensive and diverse academic divisions in the world. The strength of Arts & Science derives from our combined teaching and research excellence in the humanities, sciences and social sciences across 29 departments, seven colleges and 46 interdisciplinary centres, institutes and programs. We can only realize our mission with the dedication and excellence of engaged staff and faculty. The diversity of opportunities and perspectives within the Faculty reflect the local and global landscape and the need for curiosity, innovative thinking and collaboration. At Arts & Science, we take pride in our legacy of innovation and discovery that has changed the way we think about the world. Your opportunity: Reporting to the Chief Administrative Officer, the Finance and Payroll Assistant supports University College's Operating and Trust portfolio. The incumbent provides financial administrative and reporting support through budget monitoring, account reconciliation, preparation of budget variance information, comparison of forecasted figures to actuals, and the processing of payroll and other financial transactions. Working within established University policies and procedures, the incumbent identifies and resolves discrepancies, verifies the accuracy and completeness of financial information, and supports the Financial Officer by gathering information required for budget planning and reporting across multiple operating and trust accounts. Your responsibilities will include: Reconciling accounts Monitoring department budget to ensure expenditure remains within budgeted allocations Monitoring, recording, reconciling and/or reporting on trust accounts Identifying and resolving individual financial discrepancies Preparing budget variance reports Gathering information in preparation for budget planning Comparing forecasted figures to actuals Processing payroll Essential Qualifications: Advanced College Diploma (3 years) or acceptable combination of equivalent experience. Minimum three (3) years of relevant experience in financial administration, accounting and/or payroll in a complex institutional or multi-account environment. Experience monitoring and reconciling operating, trust or comparable restrictive accounts and identifying and resolving financial discrepancies. Experience monitoring budgets, preparing budget variance information, and gathering financial information to support budget planning and forecasting processes. Experience processing payroll, reconciling payroll distributions, and resolving payroll and/or HRIS processing issues. Experience with accounts payable/receivable, journal entries, cost recoveries, purchasing card reconciliation and expense reimbursement processes. Experience working with Financial Information Systems (FIS) and Human Resources Information Systems (HRIS) or equivalent systems Sound knowledge of generally accepted accounting principles and financial controls. Advanced proficiency with Microsoft Office, particularly Excel, and demonstrated ability to work accurately with financial data. Ability to manage competing deadlines in a fast-paced environment with initiative, flexibility and strong attention to detail. Strong organizational, problem-solving, verbal and written communication skills, with demonstrated ability to provide responsive client service. Assets (Non-essential) Familiarity with payroll processing for USW Casuals, CUPE Unit 1, Unit 3 and Unit 5. Familiarity with University of Toronto financial systems and processes, including Concur and UTime. Experience working with multiple funds, cost centres or comparable financial structures is strongly preferred. To be successful in this role you will be: Communicator Courteous Efficient Meticulous Multi-tasker Organized Problem solver Responsible Closing Date: 09/22/2026, 11:59PM ETEmployee Group: USW Appointment Type: Budget - Continuing Schedule: Full-TimePay Scale Group & Hiring Zone:USW Pay Band 09 -- $67,916. with an annual step progression to a maximum of $86,855. Pay scale and job class assignment is subject to determination pursuant to the Job Evaluation/Pay Equity Maintenance Protocol. Job Category: Finance/Budget/Planning/Audit Lived Experience StatementCandidates who are members of Indigenous, Black, racialized and 2SLGBTQ+ communities, persons with disabilities, and other equity deserving groups are encouraged to apply, and their lived experience shall be taken into consideration as applicable to the posted position. Job descriptions are available upon request for internal applicants.

What you’ll do

The Finance and Payroll Assistant supports the department's operating and trust portfolios by monitoring budgets, reconciling accounts, and preparing financial reports. The role also involves processing payroll and ensuring the accuracy of financial transactions in accordance with university policies.

Requirements

Candidates must possess an Advanced College Diploma and at least three years of relevant experience in financial administration, accounting, or payroll. Proficiency in financial systems, Microsoft Excel, and a strong understanding of accounting principles are required.

Listed skills

• Customer service · Preferred
• Problem solving · Preferred
• Financial Reporting · Preferred
• Attention to detail · Preferred
• Microsoft Excel · Preferred
• Microsoft Office · Preferred
• Communication Skills · Preferred

Other relevant skills

Identified from the job description. Confirm important requirements above.

• Financial administration
• Payroll processing
• Budget monitoring
• Account reconciliation
• Budget variance reporting
• Financial reporting
• Microsoft Office
• Excel
• Financial Information Systems
• Human Resources Information Systems
• Accounting principles
• Problem-solving
• Communication skills
• Organizational skills
• Attention to detail
• Client service
• Account Reconciliation
• Variance Reporting
• Procurement Cards
• Financial Controls
• Payroll Processing
• Trust Accounts
• Legal Discovery
• Curiosity
• SAP Concur (Travel And Invoice Software)
• Information Gathering
• Planning
• Research
• Accounts Payable
• Accounts Receivable
• Accounting
• Budgeting
• Teaching
• Auditing
• Reconciliation
• Customer Service
• Communication
• Information Systems
• Human Resources Information System (HRIS)
• Finance
• Financial Systems
• Financial Data
• Forecasting
• Generally Accepted Accounting Principles
• Innovation
• Problem Solving
• Job Evaluation
• Multitasking
• Social Sciences
• Detail Oriented

Job areas

• Finance & Accounting
• Administrative
• Education
• Human Resources
• Human Resources Payroll Assistant
• Payroll Clerk
• Payroll Clerks
• Payroll and Timekeeping Clerks