The Research Project Accountant (RPA) is responsible for the financial planning, compliance, management and reporting of one or more major, complex research projects.  These responsibilities include problem-solving with respect to the specific research projects they are assigned to, preparation of internal and external financial statements, management of the relationship between and the requirements of internal and external stakeholders, financial planning and analysis and ensuring adherence and compliance with financial guidelines and requirements as specified by sponsors and/or University policies.  In addition, this position will include the provision of data for strategic financial planning and management.  The individual must have a good working knowledge of policies and procedures to provide guidance on general day-to-day operations.

This position is contigent on funding

Financial project planning, analysis and strategic decision support

• Coordinates, monitors, and directs the set-up of financial reporting structures for projects to ensure that project activity can be appropriately managed and reported on throughout its duration
• Participates in the preparation of annual project work plans in conjunction with the Principal Investigator (PI), project director and others as required
• Plans, manages, and coordinates the development of the annual project budget to support the work plan incorporating contributions from multiple stakeholders including supporting organizations, external funding agencies, private corporations and international funding sources and the distribution of research funds across multiple institutions via establishment and amendment of sub-grant agreements
• Prepares financial planning documentation and funding models that assist project management and other relevant managers within the university with planning and operations
• Responsible for ensuring all revenue and expenses related to the project are recorded in a timely manner and in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, regularly monitored and supported by appropriate documentation
• As the key financial contact for project partners provides advice and support on project financial requirements and documentation
• Responsible for the fiscal viability of the research project by providing complex financial analysis, advice and support to the PI and project manager to assist them in identifying the financial consequences of current and long-range plans and proposals to facilitate effective strategic decision-making
• Responsible for the provision of regular  internal financial reporting to project management on the financial status of the project including current position, annual and multi-year projections, including all partner (both internal and external to the University) budgets; highlighting potential problems and proposing possible solutions
• Interprets and implements existing policies, and develops and implements new financial and non-financial processes at the project level, in conjunction with appropriate stakeholders to support the achievement of project goals, while meeting university and sponsor requirements.
• Provides complex accounting advice and support to the PI and project manager regarding the management and internal control of research funds
• Provides financial and budgetary training, coaching, and development for administrative staff; conducts regular reviews of financial and expense reports generated by them; and meets to discuss potential problems or any issues that may arise
• Communicates regularly, either in person, by email or telephone, with project staff in each on-campus and collaborating institution to support effective financial planning, management, and internal control and to encourage the sharing of best practices

Financial administration, management and external reporting of research program

• Set up of financial structure within the University financial system
• Review, gain an understanding and approve applicable research projects through the research awards management system
• Liaise with the Office of Research pre-awards colleagues regarding new or unusual areas of the research agreement
• Set up and maintain an accurate, well organized print and/or electronic project files
• Set up the research project on Office of Research databases to allow tracking of key reporting, invoicing and audit dates
• Set up budget, overhead and encumbrance journal entries in accordance with the specific requirements of the award agreement
• Maintain accurate, well organized financial project files
• Work with the PI and/or project director/manager to ensure all key financial reporting requirements and sponsor guidelines are met

-    Financial management and external reporting

• Prepare invoice or disbursement requests in accordance with invoicing schedules in the award agreement
• Monitor outstanding invoices to ensure that project management are advised on a timely basis if payment may be an issue so that appropriate action can be taken
• Ensure that reporting schedules are met by proactively tracking project schedules and reporting deadlines
• Develop and implement a framework for reporting financial activity, both within the university and at collaborating institutions, to ensure financial activity can be accurately and efficiently tracked and reported on according to university and sponsor requirements;

Communicate and train project staff and/or collaborators on financial reporting framework and on financial reporting requirements and timescales.

• Manage the process of obtaining, confirming and tracking all data/reporting/supporting documentation including in-kind certifications from project partners.
• Manage the process of obtaining, confirming and tracking institutional commitments from internal stakeholders
• Review the financial reports submitted by each partner on a regular basis and conduct meetings with the necessary staff to discuss potential issues
• Monitor all project accounts to ensure all funds are spent appropriately by the end date or that an extension request submitted
• Provide advice to the PI and/or project director/manager for options on resolving any surplus or deficit balances and prepare the applicable close out entries ensuring that appropriate authorization and supporting documentation has been provided
• Finalize the print and/or electronic files to ensure that all appropriate documentation is kept according to record retention guidelines

Eligibility and Compliance Review and Facilitation of audits

• Reviews advances, requests for payment, purchase requisitions, salary payments, invoices, and other designated research financial transactions for compliance and eligibility with external sponsor guidelines and University policies
• Resolve any issues with transactions prior to forwarding them to Finance/HR for processing
• Key  point of contact with sponsor, UW or collaborating institution auditors during the audit process for the research project
• Provision of an overview of sponsor program details and UW policies and procedures to the auditors
• Preparation and reconciliation of audit support listings to auditors
• Provision of supporting documentation for transactions being audited
• Co-ordination and reconciliation of supporting documentation from collaborating institutions
• Responding to audit queries
• Manage and Foster Relationships with Internal and External Stakeholders
• Key point of contact between the UW project team and representatives from partner organizations  for financial advice, guidance and queries pertaining to the research project
• Provides strategic professional advice about accounting and process issues and offers financial analytical support to the project manager and to both on-campus and collaborating personnel
• Works closely with applicable project staff to ensure that all financial transactions are processed in a timely and efficient manner
• Key point of contact with collaborating research institutions to ensure appropriate financial reporting of research funds
• Key point of contact with external research sponsors regarding the financial management of the project, e.g. interpretation of guidelines or reporting requirements and the resolution of specific project needs/concerns/issues
• Liaise with Office of Research pre-awards colleagues regarding clarification or amendments to research agreements
• Liaise with other University academic support units to ensure appropriate management of research funds

Other

• Carries out other general and specific duties as may from time to time be determined

• Completion of undergraduate degree, preferably in Accounting, Business or Finance
• Accounting designation (CPA, CGA, CMA, CA or internationally recognized accounting designation) or in final stage of obtaining a recognized accounting designation.
• A minimum of five years’ experience with progressively greater responsibility in accounting/financial related environment
• Previous experience developing and managing complex project budgets of either significant dollar value ($1m+) or with significant international exposure
• Working knowledge of auditing practices and procedures
• Experience working both independently and as part of a team and managing workload and setting priorities
• Experience supervising workload and output of a financial team would be an advantage.
• Proven ability to work within a framework of multiple principles and guidelines and to apply professional judgment in situations in which clear direction is unavailable and/or interpretation is required
• Demonstrated high degree of aptitude for critical thinking coupled with strong analytical and problem-solving skills and proficiency in written and oral communication
• Demonstrated superior interpersonal skills and the ability to work collaboratively, build consensus, maintain confidentiality, exhibit sensitivity to the needs and interests of a variety of stakeholders, and support the functioning of a diverse project team
• Strong organizational skills coupled with the ability to handle multiple tasks, meet deadlines, and excel in a fast-paced environment characterized by changing priorities
• Demonstrated ability to thrive in and contribute to an integrated and collaborative team environment and to apply a positive team approach to working with colleagues
• Working knowledge of research granting agencies and their programs is preferred
• Periodic travel to Indonesia required

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.