Food Services is a key service to the University community, providing innovative, fresh, and great tasting food that is delivered with a personalized, friendly, and knowledgeable service.  The Food Services finance team ensures all financial activities and processes adhere to proper accounting and procurement practices as well as university policies and procedural requirements. The team also provides reports, data, and forecasting strategies to support overall strategic planning.

The Accounting Assistant supports the finance team through ensuring accurate and timely data entry, reconciliations, and general administrative support. The specific tasks assigned will vary over time and as the team’s needs evolve.

This position is contingent on funding. 

This position is 100% on campus

Financial Processes

• Ensure accurate and timely entry and processing of non-salary financial transactions as assigned. These transactions can include daily bank deposit information, vendor invoices, internal transfers, etc.
• Review transactions for accuracy, appropriate documentation, authorization, and accounting categorization in keeping with both UW policies and procedures and departmental practices
• Ensure all transactions are up to date to allow appropriate month-end reporting
• Prepare various reports as required. For example, reports related to food costs, inventory, cash over/short, etc.
• Maintain and update the item and vendor databases in the department’s inventory software. This can include regular price updates and vendor comparisons on non-contract items
• Data entry of inventory numbers for costing on a scheduled basis for the units. Assists with inventory analysis and reporting
• Collaborate with key members of the Food Services team to ensure that all nutrition data is entered into the inventory database, maintained and audited on a frequent basis
• Collaborate and assist with the process of reconciling financials for PCards
• Monitor controls established on existing contracts including price checks
• Assist with the investigation of any discrepancies and help action solutions
• Process franchise royalty fees, including using sales data to calculate royalties owing and process payments in an accurate and timely manner
• Other duties as assigned

Collaboration

• Build and maintain effective working relationships with both Food Services staff, key campus stakeholders, and external suppliers / customers
• Collaborate with the Food Services Finance team and extended Food Services team to ensure accurate and timely data recording and reporting
• Consult with the senior team members to identify and verify any anomalies or discrepancies and assist with investigation
• Identify and recommend cost-saving measures as appropriate

Administrative Support

• Support the main office with general administrative tasks including sorting incoming departmental mail, greeting in-person visitors, responding to, and redirecting general department inquiries by email and telephone
• Assist unit managers and supervisors with general finance and administrative questions and training as required
• Support information technology with the POS WatCard database as required
• Coordinate office supply requests
• Other projects and duties as assigned

• Post Secondary education in a business-related/accounting discipline or equivalent education and experience
• 3-5 years of related financial experience with a solid understanding of accounting principles and practices in a computerized environment, preferably in a post-secondary or food service sector
• Experience working independently and utilizing strong time management skills
• Experience with financial reporting, analysis, and forecasting
• Experience in a high-volume data entry position
• Demonstrated ability to prioritize and manage high-volume assignments accurately and efficiently
• Excellent attention to detail
• Strong analytical and problem solving, interpersonal, organization and communication skills
• Demonstrated ability to work independently
• Comfort and clarity in explaining accounting information, as well as organizational procedures and policies
• Proficient in Microsoft Office skills, particularly Excel and Word

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 co-ordinated 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.