Staff - Union Job Category CUPE 2950 Job Profile CUPE 2950 Salaried - Senior Financial Spec 1a (Gr8) Job Title Research Finance Officer Department Government Research Grants | Research Finance Compensation Range $4,739.00 - $5,102.00 CAD Monthly Posting End Date August 21, 2025 Note: Applications will be accepted until 11:59 PM on the Posting End Date. Job End Date Ongoing At UBC, we believe that attracting and sustaining a diverse workforce is key to the successful pursuit of excellence in research, innovation, and learning for all faculty, staff and students. Our commitment to employment equity helps achieve inclusion and fairness, brings rich diversity to UBC as a workplace, and creates the necessary conditions for a rewarding career. Job Summary The Research Finance Officer is responsible for overseeing a portfolio of research grants. Duties include reconciling grants, preparing financial reports on the use of grants, and advising research faculty and department administrators on financial matters. The position requires knowledge of University and Sponsor policies and procedures to provide guidance and exercise judgement in establishing priorities to accomplish tasks. The position assists in training the University research community and provides support during internal and external audits. Organizational Status Reports to the Manager-Research Finance Work Performed Oversees a portfolio of research grants. Works independently with the following tasks: Prepares and submits financial statements to sponsors Performs Workday tasks: Creates awards tasks in Workday to track and monitor progress for invoicing, financial statement preparation, and initiating refunds for research grants Creates new subrecipients in Workday to facilitate advancing of funds to collaborating institutions Reviews Supplier Invoices for payments to advance funds to collaborating institutions to ensure the appropriateness of transfer and that procedures are adhered to Reviews research grant and budget set-up on Workday Creates non-Canadian currency invoices for submission to sponsors Identifying and reviewing cash receipts, EFT and wire payments to ensure correct allocation of funds to the appropriate grant Reviews and approves Cash Sales transactions in Workday and coordinating with Departments to reclassify unearned revenue to the appropriate spend category Prepares reconciliations and analysis: Prepares complex reconciliations of grants cash and budget balances Reviews expenditures & accounting journals as requested, exercising judgment in determining appropriateness of transaction in relation to University policy and Sponsor terms and conditions; Initiates and follows up on collection of funds due to the University, inactivating grants, and monitoring deposit of funds; Assists in over expenditure monitoring of grants Performs others tasks: Interprets University policies and Sponsor guidelines to ensure that the administration and use of funds comply Provides advice to Faculty, Department Administrators, and Department Heads regarding: Financial information pertaining to their research grants, Sponsor policies and contract terms, and University policies and procedures Communicates with Office of Research Services, University Industry Liaison Office, Faculties/Departments to address concerns Answers non-routine enquiries concerning research grants Supports internal/external audit requests Consequence of Error/Judgement Incorrect interpretation of Sponsor policy provided to Faculty can result in non-compliance with Sponsor terms on the use of funds. Incorrect analysis, and financial reporting or invoicing to the contract/granting agencies will provide misrepresentation on use of funds, and loss of University credibility in administration of research funds. Incorrect identification of grant or foreign exchange adjustments for payments received leads to mis-applied funding and potential overspending by researchers. Supervision Received Reports to the Manager-Research Finance Minimum Qualifications High school graduation, plus Diploma in Accounting or Payroll CPA Level 2, plus four years of related experience, or an equivalent combination of education and related experience. Preferred Qualifications Completion of 75% of the requirements for the CPA program, or post-secondary education and enrolment in a 3rd or 4th year professional accounting program. Experience and demonstrated ability in performing complex and detailed reconciliations is required. Experience in a complex operational accounting environment is required. Demonstrated proficiency of accounting principles. Good organizational skills and an ability to work effectively under pressure independently and within a team environment. High degree of analytical accuracy, thoroughness, dependability, and attention to detail. Excellent communication skills and assertiveness skills. Tact and discretion are essential. Must be able to multi-task and set appropriate priorities. Competent with the use of Microsoft Office software (Outlook, Word, Excel, MS-Teams, PowerPoint). Intermediate to Advanced MS Excel knowledge is required. Knowledge of Workday required. The University of British Columbia is a global centre for research and teaching, consistently ranked among the top 20 public universities globally. A large part of what makes us unique is the community of engaged students, faculty, and staff who are collectively committed to shaping a better world. Recognized as a leading employer in British Columbia and Canada, UBC supports inspired students, faculty and staff on their journey of discovery, and challenges them to realize their greatest potential. New ideas, changing infrastructure, innovative technology, and fresh approaches are opening up possibilities for the future of research, teaching, and work. Are you ready to embrace the future together? Equity and diversity are essential to academic excellence. An open and diverse community fosters the inclusion of voices that have been underrepresented or discouraged. We encourage applications from members of groups that have been marginalized on any grounds enumerated under the B.C. Human Rights Code, including sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, racialization, disability, political belief, religion, marital or family status, age, and/or status as a First Nation, Metis, Inuit, and/or Indigenous person. All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however Canadians and permanent residents will be given priority. If you have any accommodation or accessibility needs during the job application process, please contact the Centre for Workplace Accessibility at workplace.accessibility@ubc.ca.
