Job Title
Finance Business Partner
Requisition #
997876
Job Type
Permanent (for any group)
Union or Employee Group
Exempt
Classification
EEL6
Position End Date (if applicable)
Location
MRU Main Campus - Calgary, AB T3E 6K6 CA (Primary)
Posting
About MRU
Founded in 1910 and located in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, Mount Royal
University grew into a vibrant college in the 1930s and became a mid-sized
university in 2009. A student-focused undergraduate university built on
teaching excellence, Mount Royal University is known for our top-caliber
programs, high-quality teaching and learning experience, robust delivery of
liberal education, scholarly teaching, experiential learning and undergraduate
research. Currently, more than 15,000 credit students choose from 14 bachelor
degrees and 38 majors. Learn more at mru.ca/AcademicPlan.
Mount Royal University is situated on an ancient and storied land that is
steeped in ceremony and history that, until recently, was occupied exclusively
by people indigenous to this place. With gratitude and reciprocity, Mount
Royal acknowledges the relationships to the land and all beings, and the
songs, stories and teachings of the Siksika Nation, the Piikani Nation, the
Kainai Nation, the Îethka Stoney Nakoda Nation (consisting of the Chiniki,
Bearspaw and Goodstoney Nations), the people of the Tsuut'ina Nation, and the
Métis. Learn more about MRU's Land Acknowledgement.
Mount Royal University is committed to removing barriers and fostering the
inclusion of voices that have been historically underrepresented or
discouraged in our society. In support of our belief that diversity in our
faculty and staff enriches the work, learning and research experiences for the
entire campus community, we strongly encourage members of the designated
groups (women, Indigenous Peoples, persons with disabilities, members of
visible minorities, and diverse sexual orientation and gender identities) to
apply and self-identify.
About the Department of Financial Services
Mount Royal University's Financial Services is responsible for the accurate
and timely recording, analysis and reporting of all financial information for
the University, MRU Foundation, and Mount Royal Early Learning Centre. The
Department comprises of functional areas and provides the following key
services:
Financial Reporting
Commerce & Receivables
Payables & Expense Management
Procurement
Budget & Resource Planning
Treasury & Investment
Internal Control Framework
About the Role
Reporting to the Manager, Resource Planning, the Finance Partner (FP) /
Finance Business Partner (FBP) is a professionally designated accountant
within the Resource Planning group of Finance. Although not directly
responsible for administering budgets, the incumbent plays a key role in the
ability to influence and direct work which significantly impacts financial and
budget results. Peer leadership is essential to gather relevant information
for decision making, to ensure University objectives are met, while
maintaining boundaries with those who area in a direct management role. The
incumbent is to perform their responsibilities by using their previous
education and experience, adhering to policy and regulatory requirements,
applying an institutional perspective, using professional judgment and best
practices as a guide with great latitude in responding to all business areas'
situations and queries. In addition to carrying out the fundamental duties and
responsibilities of a professional accountant for MRU, as outlined in this
position description, this position has additional focused accountability to
Finance Services and for the supported client areas.
The role is to provide expert knowledge and advice, supporting the financial
business, regulatory and general accounting needs of designated business units
within the University by developing partnerships and meeting the unique needs
of the unit. Flexibility is required as the FBP must constantly evaluate and
re-prioritize workloads within strict deadlines and varying business cycles as
new initiatives and requirements emerge.
This position is a full-time role, working 35 hours per week.
Responsibilities
DECISION SUPPORT:
Support strategic and operational decision making by developing and
preparing financial analysis and reports required by internal users to
support their decision-making of existing and future activities, while
ensuring that the required documentation standards are considered from
both an operational and audit perspective.
Support financial requirements by preparing financial analysis and
reporting, ensuring the captured information provides management with the
best opportunity to assess all related impacts, fiscal viability and
overall sustainability. This includes engagement during planning cycles
and at fiscal year-end.
Analyze and compile data from a variety of sources and prepare long-range
projections, as well as immediate impact analysis to support decision
making related to operating performance, proposed program and service
changes, capital expenditures, labour negotiation impacts, and any other
ad hoc decision requirements.
Recommend changes to significant financial projections and estimates which
impact the overall institutional financial position to inform the annual
and 3 year strategic and budget planning cycle.
Develop and test financial estimates based on historical trends, apply
profiles and analytics to ensure the most accurate presentation for the
purposes of forecasting, variance reporting, and all other financial
reporting; monitor and analyze significant financial components for future
budget planning and variance analysis support
Provide informed reporting to the University stakeholders by analyzing
results; proactively identifying trends and variances; designing reporting
to ensure accurate, complete and consistent forecasting and actual
performance; providing accurate and complete analysis based on a solid
understanding of the applicable business drivers and their related impact
to operations and budget decision making.
Collaborate with stakeholders to assess and analyze business process and
system's needs; making recommendations for acquisitions improvements or
re-design to ensure optimal efficiency and effectiveness in reaching
organizational objectives.
REPORTING:
Support client areas in their financial planning needs and reporting of
financial results; support needs and responsibilities to ensure accurate
and appropriate capture of unit operating results, forecasts and budget
plans; coordinate with senior managers and business units to ensure
significant transactions are represented to support all period close
reporting; ensure applicable accounting standards and University policies
are adhered to.
Monitor, lead and communicate changes in accounting standards and
provincial reporting requirements to stakeholders to ensure compliance,
and accurate financial reporting; recommendation of University policy and
procedure changes to accommodate divergent needs and timelines.
Support strategic and operational decision making by developing,
preparing, and providing assurance of complex financial information
required by internal and external users; providing this information to
business areas, funding agencies, governmental regulations, and University
projects to support their decision-making needs. At the same time,
ensuring that the required documentation standards are considered from
both an operational and audit perspective. External reporting is provided
to the Provincial Ministry, donors, conditional funding agencies,
government and non-government departments, and sponsors.
SUPPORT and TRAINING:
Provide stakeholders expert advice and training on general accounting and
best practices related to financial management, reporting, budgeting,
internal controls, decision-support Information structures and systems,
and financial and operational system design and products. Support work of
financial roles across the University client units assigned to ensure that
all complex accounting and financial models and reports are compliant,
well documented and supported from both an operational and audit
perspective.
Support and advise business units for the ultimate preparation of audit-
ready financial statements, all related working papers, and all other
external reporting
Provide expert level support to business areas through communication and
training on available tools (software programs) and processes (all
Financial Services and Supply Chain) whilst simultaneously ensuring that
accounting accuracy, and efficient and effective monitoring, and
understanding of financial information (along with the relevant
compliance), is achieved,
Advise on information systems implementation projects regarding accounting
related controls, segregation of duties, reconciliation requirements and
qualitative and quantitative reporting requirements, to ensure superior
decision making can be achieved (i.e. sales volumes, cost analysis,
inventory management),
Mentor and train within Finance and other business units by means of
individual interactions related to all aspects of accounting and
institutional policies, practices and regulations.
Provide specialist financial, accounting, operational, and strategic
knowledge and expertise from an institutional perspective to support
decision making.
REGULATORY COMPLIANCE:
Provide expertise related to the institutional and unit perspective on the
interpretation, testing, and impact of all relevant University wide
internal controls, policies procedures, government regulations (Ministry
of Advanced Education), applicable accounting standards, income tax
rulings and regulations (i.e. GST, independent contractor vs. employee,
charity status, tax receipting regulations) for compliance and to support
and enhance operations and strategic initiatives.
Monitor and ensure compliance gaps are appropriately addressed to ensure
limited impact to University risk department level programs, or the
activity of key operations.
Qualifications
University Bachelor Degree
Chartered Professional Accountant Designation (CPA)
6 – 10+ years' experience
In-depth knowledge and progressive levels of experience in multiple and
varied complex scenarios.
Strong experience in managing technology related controls in conjunction
with financial accounting and other internal controls requires a thorough
understanding of the fundamental financial planning and accounting
framework, and the many related accounting and regulatory requirements and
its impact on the resulting reporting.
Accuracy and attention to detail, analytical, organizational, problem
resolution skills
Excellent financial accounting, forecasting and budget projection modeling
skills
Ability to understand financial reporting impacts related to specific
decision making
Strong ability to prioritize amongst equally important requirements
Strong interpersonal skills, high level of verbal and written
communication skills with the ability to work independently
Applicable systems and technology experience in all Microsoft Office
products, in particular Excel, Word, Access
What We Offer
Talented and committed employees are the driving force behind student success.
We strive to be an employer of choice among Canadian post-secondary
institutions.
At Mount Royal University, we recognize that people are a combination of many
intersecting identities; we work to cultivate an environment that welcomes the
whole person, and harnesses the strength that is available in our diversity,
creating a rich and inclusive workplace.
Investing in the learning and development of our employees benefits the
individual and the University. A variety of services, resources and programs
encourage a healthy, productive workplace. Mount Royal University offers a
competitive total compensation package including health and dental benefits,
pension, health and personal spending accounts, paid vacation, winter holiday
closure, personal days, and a free membership in our fully equipped recreation
centre.
Our campus offers the convenience of a medical clinic, dentist and pharmacy,
as well as a variety of wellness services such as physiotherapists and massage
therapists. Campus Recreation offers many activities, including personal
training, climbing, aquatics, sports and certifications for students,
employees, and the public.
Salary: $ 96,859-110,500 per annum
Closing Date: Posting open until suitable candidate is found
A cover letter and resume should be submitted in one .pdf document. Please
title your .pdf document as follows: Last Name, Requisition Number,
Document Title.pdf (ex. Smith, 999999, CV.pdf).
If you require accommodation to participate in the recruitment process, please
notify [email protected] and we will work together on your accommodation
request.
We thank all applicants for their interest. Only applicants selected for an
interview will be contacted. After the close date, you can check on the status
of your application through your Career Centre. New career opportunities arise
frequently and are posted as they become available. Please check back often to
view our latest postings on our Career Opportunities page. We encourage all
qualified candidates to apply; however, Canadian citizens, permanent residents
and others currently legally eligible to work in Canada will be given
priority. Recent Mount Royal graduates who are foreign nationals may be
eligible to work on campus. For more information, please refer to the
Citizenship and Immigration Canada website under Post-Graduation Employment at
https:// www. cic.gc.ca/english/study/index.asp.
