Senior Budget Analyst

Job Title

Senior Budget Analyst

Requisition #

997251

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. Mount Royal has carved out a distinct niche by offering smaller class sizes, a robust liberal education and unique undergraduate programs. Currently, more than 15,000 credit students choose from 13 bachelor degrees and 36 majors.

Mount Royal University is located in the traditional territories of the Niitsitapi (Blackfoot) and the people of the Treaty 7 region in southern Alberta, which includes the Siksika, the Piikani, the Kainai, the Tsuut'ina and the Iyarhe Nakoda. We are situated on land where the Bow River meets the Elbow River. The traditional Blackfoot name of this place is "Mohkinstsis," which we now call the city of Calgary. The city of Calgary is also home to the Métis Nation.

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, this position provides hands on support in coordinating and capturing the University's budget through each three-year budget cycle, ensuring proper representation of the Institution's approved annual business plan. As a Senior Budget Analyst, you will be responsible for analyzing financial data, preparing budget reports, and managing budget systems and models, in support of efficient allocation of resources to support organizational objectives. You will work closely with stakeholder to support budget development, monitor spending, and identify areas for cost savings and improvement. The Senior Budget Analyst, Resource Planning provides expert knowledge and advice from an institutional perspective on the financial planning and reporting needs of the University, ensuring relevant, timely and accurate financial analysis, reporting and accountability for the University and its' controlled entities. This position is involved in preparing the financial analysis of major components of the University, data management, and maintenance of budget systems. The incumbent is responsible for the development of budget and financial reports, developing procedures and supporting systematic tools to meet the changing requirements of the University and its stakeholders.

Responsibilities

BUDGET DEVELOPMENT AND DECISION SUPPORT

Prepare and develop calculations, estimates, forecasting and variance analysis for key budget revenue and expense drivers.

Perform analytical review and examination of divisional and departmental budget information for accuracy, compliance, completeness and reasonableness.

Support preparation of complex detailed financial analysis and reports that capture the University's 3 year operating and capital budgets through the annual budget development cycle to ensure comprehensive, cohesive, accurate representation of the Institution's pre-Board approved budget plan.

Develop and recommend new models and strategies for improving accuracy and efficiency related to significant financial budget estimates such as labour, benefit expenditures, grants, tuition and fees.

Monitor and analyze significant financial components for future budget planning and variance analysis.

Capture and support communication of the budget directions related to development of the upcoming operating and capital budget; direct distribution of preliminary budget projections to divisional offices.

Review and maintain the budget account structure in accordance with Provincial government reporting regulations and management needs; maintain budget data to ensure auditability for subsequent budget development and revisions.

Monitor and ensure compliance gaps are appropriately addressed in budget reporting and ensure that government requirements (Ministry of Advanced Education) are met through the development and reporting of the three- year budget.

Assess and analyze business processes and system needs; identifying implications of issues and making recommendations for improvements or re- design to ensure optimal efficiency and effectiveness in reaching organizational objectives.

Provide support as needed to project-based initiatives to improve the budget development and resource allocation processes at the University.

REPORTING, ANALYSIS AND REGULATORY COMPLIANCE

Support strategic and operational decision making by developing and preparing financial analysis and reports required by internal users 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.

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.

Review and recommend for consideration changes to significant financial projections and estimates, which impact the overall institutional financial position to inform the annual and three-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 budgeting, variance reporting, and all other financial reporting; monitor and analyze significant financial components for future budget planning and variance analysis support.

Design reporting to ensure accuracy, completeness and consistency; prepare accurate and complete analysis based on a solid understanding of the applicable business drivers and their related impact to operations and budget decision making.

Monitor, and support communication of changes in accounting standards and Provincial reporting requirements for management to ensure compliance and accuracy in financial reporting.

Bring an awareness and understanding of audience and purpose of deliverables to develop concise, effective, and impactful materials that can be understood by non-financial stakeholders.

SYSTEM SUPPORT AND TRAINING

Provide expert level support to business areas through communication and training on available tools (budgeting software programs) and processes (budget development) whilst simultaneously ensuring accounting accuracy, efficient and effective monitoring, and understanding of financial information, whilst ensuring relevant compliance is achieved.

Prepare and provide training sessions for management and administrative staff to ensure the most effective utilization of available financial software, and the proper maintenance and management of financial information within the system.

Support business units on preparation of budget and forecast entries, related working papers, analysis and reporting.

Prepare and upload approved budget balances to ERP systems, ensuring completeness, accuracy and consistency across all systems that report approved budget balances.

Troubleshoot budget system issues that arise and work with ITS/system vendors, as needed, to address and make necessary changes to restore and/or enhance system performance in a timely manner.

Management of budget and planning systems, including maintenance of master data and budget system access.

Collaborate with business units and stakeholders to determine improvements to financial systems and processes and liaison with software providers in maintaining and improving system capability to meet ever-changing needs for budget development and reporting.

Design, develop, review and recommend software tools, templates, resources and processes for optimal and efficient budget development and reporting in order to provide the most current, accurate and relevant budget information; recommend and develop process improvements to obtain best practice models for University budgeting; sustainability and maintenance of effective and efficient reporting practices despite evolving and strict Government imposed deadlines and requirements.

Mentor and train within Finance and other business units by means of individual interactions related to all aspects of accounting, budgeting and institutional policies, practices and regulations.

Qualifications

University Bachelor of Commerce Degree or equivalent

Canadian Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA) designation is required.

6 - 10 years of related experience, including:

In-depth knowledge of financial accounting, budgeting 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 is required, along with a thorough understanding of the fundamental financial planning and accounting framework, and the many related accounting and regulatory requirements and their impact on the resulting reporting.

Attention to detail, analytical, organizational, problem resolution and critical thinking skills

Excellent financial forecasting, budget projection modeling and technical accounting skills

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

Ability to understand reporting impacts related to specific decision making as it relates to resource planning and provide sound judgement and logic to financial scenarios

Budget and financial management experience with the ability to provide sound professional judgment and logic to financial scenarios

Applicable systems & technology experience in all MS Office products, in particular Excel, Word & PowerPoint

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: $96,859-122,474

Closing Date: May 24, 2024

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).

All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however, Canadian citizens, permanent residents and others currently eligible to work in Canada will be given priority.

Recent Mount Royal graduates who are foreign nationals may be eligible to work on campus. Please refer to the Citizenship and Immigration Canada website under Post-Graduation Employment at https:// www. cic.gc.ca/english/study/index.asp.

If you require an accommodation in order to participate in the recruitment process, please notify [email protected] and we will work together on the 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. All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however, Canadians and permanent residents will be given priority. Mount Royal University hires on the basis of merit and is strongly committed to fostering diversity as a source of excellence, intellectual and cultural enrichment, and social strength. We welcome applications from those who would contribute to the further diversification of our staff, faculty and their scholarship including but not limited to Indigenous Peoples, women, persons with disabilities and persons of any sexual or gender identity, ethnic, national or socio-economic background, religion or age.