Financial Officer

About the role

At the University of Waterloo, we create and promote a culture where everyone can reach their full potential. As an employee, you get support & opportunities that empower you to advance your career. Explore how we can bring big ideas to life, together. The University is a welcoming workplace for those of all abilities, interests, and expertise. As part of our workforce, you can do what you do best, every day. Learn more about our recruitment process. Job Requisition ID: 2026-00029 Time Type: Full time Employee Group: Staff Job Category: Financial Planning and Reporting Employment Type: Temporary Department: Faculty of Engineering - Mechanical and Mechatronics Engineering - Administration Hiring Range: $73,695.42 - $92,119.28 Posting Information: This posting is for an existing vacancy. TERM: 1 Year This position is being offered as a Secondment or contract opportunity. The internal posting deadline for this position is Friday, May 22, 2026, 11:59PM Job Description: Primary Purpose The Financial Officer (Officer) is accountable for the management of the Mechanical and Mechatronics Engineering (MME) department financial operations and has key accounting and analytical support responsibilities. S/he provides financial information and advice to the Chair and Administrative Officer to support effective management and strategic planning. This includes administration and oversight of financial activity in all funds, long and short term financial planning, and other finance-related functions and special projects. The incumbent is also responsible for the integrity of financial processes and practices to ensure conformity with generally accepted accounting principles and University policies and guidelines, and uniform application and implementation of all financial policies, guidelines and best practices. Key Accountabilities Budgeting, Reporting and Financial Planning: - Develop the department's annual operating budget in consultation with the Chair, Administrative Officer, Budget Officer and Faculty Financial Officer; - Provide confidential advice and strategies relating to financial and budget sensitive activities; - Develop business plans e.g. program expansion and new initiatives as required to assess financial viability and sustainability; - Provide financial analysis in support of current and long term projects; - Prepare projections of MME's financial position, identify any concerns, propose potential solutions and initiate corrective action where required; - Identify financial consequences of long term plans, proposals or changes to enrollment patterns to facilitate effective strategic decision making; - Analyze impact of government and university funding decision on budget; - Prepare financial documentation to aid decision making (e.g. budget allocations for various departmental initiatives, teaching resource summaries); - Review and advise on agreements and memoranda of understanding for relationships with internal and external agencies/institutes regarding management and internal control of research funds; - Co-ordinate the setup of financial structures to ensure activity is properly managed e.g. cost recovery labs; - Monitor the financial status of operating, research, trust and endowment funds. Financial Management and Internal Control: - Administer and monitor the operating budget, revenues, expenses and overhead allocation; - Oversee all personal reimbursement requests and faculty professional expense reimbursement claims to ensure accuracy, compliance and eligibility; - Monitor research accounts and report potential liability of research accounts in deficit; - Responsible for departmental research compliance review; - Oversee the monitoring and internal control of research grants and ensure research activity is in compliance with university policies and procedures as well as those imposed externally by granting agencies; - Identify and address issues concerning compliance with sponsor agreements; - Provide financial oversight for CRC and IRC accounts, including financial risk assessment to ensure spending is aligned with the budgets; - Review hiring documentation relating to the payment of faculty, staff, part-time/casual staff, teaching/research assistants; - Review independent contractor status requests; - Authorize new user requests for procurement and invoicing purposes; - Administer and reconcile payroll of ongoing and temporary staff and faculty; - Review expenses to ensure compliance with university policies and procedures, including those imposed externally by donors and granting agencies; - Liaise with other units where interdisciplinary or institutional activity are being performed; - Responsible for financial management of MME's trust and endowment funds; - Signing authority on all operating, trust, and endowment accounts within the department; - Support effective financial planning, management and internal control and best practices for cost recovery labs; - Collaborate with the Off

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