Assistant Director and Senior Advisor, Accounting Operations

Job Title:

Assistant Director and Senior Advisor, Accounting Operations

Competition Number:

015-2026

Administrative Unit:

Financial Resources Department

Immediate Supervisor:

Director of Financial Resources

Employment Type:

Indeterminate (non-unionized)

Work Schedule:

35 hours per week (4-day work week)

Positions to be filled:

1

Salary Scale:

Level 10 ($88,202 to $113,473)

The masculine gender is used without discrimination and for the sole purpose of making the text easier to read.

Saint Paul University (1848) is the founding college of the University of Ottawa, with which it has maintained a federation agreement since 1965. Bilingual and human-scaled, it welcomes over 1,000 students and offers programs in fields such as social communications, counseling and psychotherapy, canon law, public ethics, conflict studies, social innovation, leadership, ecology and equity, as well as theology.

Why choose Saint Paul University?

Working at Saint Paul University means being part of a human-scaled university community where collaboration, proximity, and the opportunity to have a concrete impact are highly valued. The University offers working conditions that promote work-life balance, including a four-day work week as part of a regular 35-hour-per-week schedule for administrative staff, vacation time, a pension plan, and a benefits program. Subject to applicable conditions, staff also benefit from a tuition fee exemption for most programs offered by Saint Paul University and the University of Ottawa, thereby fostering learning and professional development throughout their career.

We are looking for individuals who wish to put their expertise at the service of an engaged community, contribute to the development of their colleagues, and actively participate in the evolution of the University and the continuous improvement of its practices. At Saint Paul University, your expertise is recognized, your contribution is visible, and your work will have a concrete impact.

Summary of Duties

Reporting to the Director of Financial Resources, the incumbent plays a leading role in managing the University's accounting and financial operations. They plan, coordinate, and actively participate in the department's daily activities, supervise the team's work, and ensure the quality, accuracy, and integrity of accounting operations as well as compliance with deadlines.

As a senior resource person for accounting and financial matters, they also provide technical leadership to the team. They support staff members in resolving complex accounting issues, ensure knowledge transfer, and actively contribute to the development of their skills and professional autonomy.

The incumbent also supports management in financial administration, budget planning, preparation of financial statements, financial control, and continuous improvement projects. They participate in the development of decision-support tools, financial analysis, and the improvement of controls and processes.

They act as an advisor to managers on matters within their areas of expertise, particularly regarding accounting practices, administrative policies and procedures, as well as legislative and regulatory requirements. They also contribute to the development, implementation, and harmonization of the University's financial practices, processes, and systems. These responsibilities reiterate and strengthen the advisory role already provided for in the current description.

Main Duties

Management, Supervision, and Team Development

• Supervise and coordinate the daily activities of Financial Services staff.
• With the Director, establish operational priorities, distribute work, and ensure follow-up on deadlines and results.
• Act as the primary resource person for technical questions in accounting and finance.
• Provide team members with the advice necessary to resolve complex issues.
• Coach, train, and mentor team members to strengthen their technical, accounting, and financial knowledge and skills.
• Identify the team's technical development needs and foster knowledge transfer.
• Review work methods and provide feedback to improve the accuracy, efficiency, and autonomy of team members.
• Establish and promote high standards of quality, rigor, and financial control.
• Foster a work environment based on collaboration, learning, and professional development.

Accounting, Banking, and Financial Operations

• Supervise and monitor accounting, banking, and financial operations.
• Review and validate financial transactions and ensure their appropriate recording.
• Supervise bank and financial reconciliations.
• Review accounting entries, adjustments, accruals, and closing activities.
• Identify accounting discrepancies, errors, or anomalies, determine their causes, and ensure the implementation of appropriate corrective measures.
• Ensure the integrity of the general ledger and the quality of financial information.
• Authorize banking transactions in accordance with current delegations.
• Compile, analyze, and interpret financial data, and produce reports for management.
• Ensure that the University's accounting practices and controls remain appropriate and well-documented.

Budgetary Operations and Financial Analysis

• Support management in budget planning, preparation, analysis, and control.
• Develop and improve tools, reports, and budget monitoring mechanisms.
• Review and validate budgets submitted by the various units.
• Advise managers on the management and monitoring of their budgets.
• Analyze variances between actual results, budgets, and forecasts and recommend appropriate measures.
• Monitor endowment funds, deferred revenue, scholarships, grants, donations, and other restricted funds.
• Analyze the distribution of salary expenses and identify discrepancies.
• Prepare various financial and salary analyses necessary for decision-making.
• Perform salary cost analyses as needed to support management and labor relations activities.

Student Accounts and Accounts Receivable

• Review and validate financial transactions originating from student record management systems.
• Ensure the consistency of accounting information between the various financial and administrative systems.
• Perform or supervise accounts receivable reconciliations.
• Monitor amounts due and recommend appropriate collection measures.
• Ensure the uniform application of controls and procedures related to student financial operations.

Assistance and Support to Management

• Act as a conduit for the objectives set by their supervisor or senior management.
• Inform the Director of Finance of problems identified in operations and propose and/or recommend solutions.
• Assist the Director as needed in managing various special or institutional projects.
• Ensure compliance with various levels of government by completing forms and producing reports as needed (e.g., research grants, T3010 non-profit status, T1235, F300, Statistics Canada...)
• Assist the Director in preparing worksheets, reports, and dashboards as well as financial statements and notes.
• Assist the Director in managing interactions with accounting auditors and responding to their questions and requests for information.
• Participate in explaining financial information to managers.
• Prepare or revise financial and regulatory statements, reports, and forms as required.
• Ensure that customer service quality is consistent among all members of the department;
• Perform any other task requested by their supervisor within their field of activity;
• Replace management as needed in case of absence and ensure team stability.

Improvement of Financial Processes and Systems

• Participate in the development, review, implementation, documentation, and harmonization of accounting and financial policies, procedures, and processes.
• Review existing practices and recommend improvements to increase efficiency, reliability, and strengthen controls.
• In collaboration with various internal and external partners, participate in the implementation or improvement of systems affecting financial and budgetary operations.
• Participate in the development and validation of financial processes related to systems used by the University, including UO Campus, Workforce Now, Raiser's Edge, Orion, and accounting systems.
• Contribute to the automation and improvement of financial reporting tools.

Education, Experience, Professional Expertise, and Essential Skills

• Education and professional designation:
  • University degree in accounting, or business administration with a specialization in accounting, or in a directly related discipline.
  • CPA professional designation strongly desired.
  • An exceptional combination of specialized accounting training and extensive professional experience may be considered when it clearly demonstrates equivalent mastery of the required accounting skills.
  • Continuing education or professional development in accounting, internal control, financial analysis, auditing, or financial management is an asset.
• Experience
  • At least seven (7) years of progressive and relevant experience in accounting and financial management, including significant experience in functions requiring advanced accounting expertise.
  • Extensive experience in multiple accounting cycles, including:
    • general ledger;
    • reconciliations;
    • adjusting and closing entries;
    • accounts receivable and payable;
    • deferred revenue and restricted funds;
    • budgeting and variance analysis;
    • financial controls;
    • preparation of financial statements
  • Demonstrated experience in analyzing and resolving complex accounting issues, including year-end activities, preparation of audit files, and interactions with external auditors.
  • Experience in supervising, coordinating, or leading a team, including coaching, mentoring, training, or knowledge transfer to members of an accounting or financial team.
  • Experience in improving accounting processes and strengthening internal controls.
  • Experience in an accounting firm, particularly in auditing, is a significant asset.
  • Experience in the university, public, parapublic, or non-profit sector is an asset.
• Professional expertise and knowledge
  • In-depth expertise in accounting principles and practices, as well as the ability to apply them to complex situations.
  • Excellent understanding of the full accounting cycle and the mechanisms ensuring the integrity of financial information.
  • Solid mastery of the preparation and analysis of financial statements.
  • In-depth knowledge of internal control mechanisms, financial risk management, and segregation of duties.
  • Excellent understanding of budgeting, financial forecasting, and variance analysis principles. Ability to analyze complex transactions or problems, identify the root cause, and recommend sustainable solutions.
  • Very good knowledge of accounting and financial systems as well as ERP environments.
  • Excellent mastery of Microsoft Office, particularly Excel, as well as ease in using various analysis and reporting tools.
  • Bilingualism (oral and written).

Interested candidates are invited to submit their application online at www.ustpaul.ca by September 25, 2026, at 11:59 PM.

We thank all those who have applied. We will only communicate with candidates selected for the next stage of the selection process.

We subscribe to the principles of employment equity and encourage the participation of all Canadians. If your application is selected and you believe you require accommodation during the selection process, please inform us. Personal information is protected in accordance with the provisions of the Privacy Act.