Senior Financial Specialist

Staff - Union Job Category CUPE 2950 Job Profile CUPE 2950 Salaried - Senior Financial Spec 1a (Gr8) Job Title Senior Financial Specialist Department Administrative Staff | Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering | Faculty of Applied Science Compensation Range $4,739.00 - $5,102.00 CAD Monthly Posting End Date May 18, 2026 Note: Applications will be accepted until 11:59 PM on the Posting End Date. Job End Date Ongoing At UBC, we believe that attracting and sustaining a diverse workforce is key to the successful pursuit of excellence in research, innovation, and learning for all faculty, staff and students. Our commitment to employment equity helps achieve inclusion and fairness, brings rich diversity to UBC as a workplace, and creates the necessary conditions for a rewarding career. Job Description Summary The Faculty of Applied Science at UBC is a large, complex academic unit encompassing six engineering departments, the School of Architecture and Landscape Architecture, the School of Nursing, the School of Community and Regional Planning, four multidisciplinary programs, five major research centres, and the School of Engineering at UBC Okanagan. As UBC’s fourth-largest faculty, it operates across the Point Grey and Okanagan campuses, as well as various off-site locations, including health authority facilities and manages a diverse and significant portfolio of operating, research, endowment, and externally funded activities. In 2025, the Faculty initiated a multi-year transformation project to shift from a decentralized service delivery model to a centralized, collaborative approach. This initiative is establishing an integrated Shared Service Centre (SSC) delivering Finance, Human Resources, Faculty Affairs, Student Services, and Stores service across the Faculty. The Shared Service Centre is designed to provide consistent, high-quality support; strengthen stewardship and compliance; and enable academic units to focus on teaching, research, and innovation. Initially, this position will be embedded within the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering (ECE). At the launch of the SSC, the role will transition to reporting within the SSC structure and will continue to perform substantially the same work, potentially supporting an expanded portfolio of units. ECE is one of the largest academic units at the University, and the largest in the Faculty, with over 1,100 undergraduate and 400 graduate students enrolled across its programs. As a globally recognized leader in engineering education and research, ECE is home to more than 50 research-track faculty members who are actively engaged in advancing knowledge and innovation across their respective scholarly communities. Guided by commitment to excellence, innovation, and collaboration, ECE fosters a collegial and service-oriented culture where staff contributions are integral to student success, research advancement, and overall departmental success. The Senior Financial Specialist is responsible for overseeing and coordinating financial operations, resolving complex financial issues, and providing guidance on the interpretation and application of University and Faculty financial policies and procedures. Responsibilities include, supporting research accounts, acting as a liaison with central UBC units, and supporting the administration of contract and research grants. This role exercises judgment in advising faculty and staff on routine to moderately complex financial matters, escalating issues as required. Organizational Status Reports to a Manager, Business Operations (ECE) with dotted line reporting to APSC Finance team, until launch of SSC. Works closely with team members and liaises regularly with faculty members, administrators, and staff across assigned portfolio units. Coordinates with central offices including Financial Service, Research Finance, Procurement Services, Payroll, and UILO. Work Performed Establishes work schedules, priorities, and coordinates day‑to‑day financial operations for an assigned portfolio of academic units within the SSC, including revenue accounting, cost recoveries, research and restricted fund administration, accounts payable, expense reimbursements, purchasing, and payroll‑related financial processes. Reviews and reconciles financial records for operating, research, endowment, trust, and specific purpose funds; analyzes financial activity and commitments to identify discrepancies and compliance concerns, prepares monthly and year‑end reconciliations and supports the Finance Partner with financial reports, projections, and variance analyses. Provides financial advice and guidance, within established frameworks, procedures, and authority, to faculty, staff, and students, on policies, procedures, and complex non-routine financial matters within established authority; investigates and resolves non‑routine issues requiring analysis and interpretation of policy, escalating higher‑risk matters as appropriate. Does not make final determinations on financial strategy, resources allocation, or risk acceptance. Provides guidance and recommendations to researchers and faculty members on managing their research grants and internal reporting, including reviewing grant balances, monitoring commitments, and incoming funds, and assisting with deficit resolution. Acts as the first point of escalation for their assigned portfolio by reviewing work, investigating and resolving non‑standard or rejected transactions, correcting errors, and ensuring appropriate documentation and audit support are maintained. Supports budgeting and forecasting activities by compiling data, preparing standard projections, monitoring commitments, and following up on variances as directed. Escalates emerging financial risks or deviations from plan to the Manager, Business Operations and/or APSC Finance as required. Identifies recurring issues, process gaps, and opportunities for operational improvement; supports the implementation of process enhancements, shared service practices, and documentation to improve efficiency, consistency, and service quality. Oversees and processes a broad range of financial transactions—including purchase orders, non‑PO invoices, spend authorizations, international payments, cash deposits, and journals—ensuring accuracy, timeliness, and compliance with University, Faculty, departmental, and external funding policies. Liaises with central University units (e.g., Financial Services, Research Finance, Procurement, Payroll, UILO), external agencies, and vendors to resolve financial issues and support effective, timely service delivery. Provides training, guidance, and knowledge transfer to faculty and staff on financial processes, systems (e.g., Workday), and policy application, maintaining a strong working knowledge of relevant University systems, policies, and regulations. Provides coverage to other portfolios during leaves or peak periods. Performs other duties as required Consequence of Error/Judgement High level of tact and discretion is required in handling confidential and sensitive information as well as adhering to audit standards. Attention to detail and thorough knowledge of UBC policies and procedures is critical. Direction should be sought when apparent solutions to problems are not within the intent of established procedures. Given that they will interact with a wide range of external contacts such as vendors and other institutions, errors in judgement could lead to inaccuracies in reports and records, cause delays, and have a negative impact on the department’s finances, projects, as well as the University’s reputation. Supervision Received Senior Finance Specialist will report to the Manager, Business Operations (ECE) with a dotted line report to the APSC Finance team. Works independently within established policies, procedures and accepted practices. Supervision Given Formally trains new staff on work procedures, and/or oversees work of students and temporary staff. Provides functional guidance and training without formal supervisory authority. Minimum Qualifications High school graduation, plus Diploma in Accounting or Payroll CPA Level 2, plus four years of related experience, or an equivalent combination of education and related experience. - Willingness to respect diverse perspectives, including perspectives in conflict with one’s own - Demonstrates a commitment to enhancing one’s own awareness, knowledge, and skills related to equity, diversity, and inclusion Preferred Qualifications Sound knowledge of financial administration practices, including accounts payable and receivable, reconciliations, budgeting support, and cost recovery, gained in a complex policy-driven environment. Experience in post-secondary or public-sector is an asset. Experience administering and monitoring funding from various sources, with the ability to apply funding rules and support compliance. Demonstrated analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to review financial data, investigate discrepancies, and resolve complex issues within established policies and procedures. Ability to exercise judgment in identifying issues and determining appropriate courses of action, including escalating matters appropriately. Strong organizational skills and attention to detail and proficiency using financial systems and tools (e.g. Excel). Previous experience with Workday is an asset. Effective interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to respond to financial inquiries, explain policies and procedures, and maintain positive, cooperative working relationships in a shared service context. The University of British Columbia is a global centre for research and teaching, consistently ranked among the top 20 public universities globally. A large part of what makes us unique is the community of engaged students, faculty, and staff who are collectively committed to shaping a better world. Recognized as a leading employer in British Columbia and Canada, UBC supports inspired students, faculty and staff on their journey of discovery, and challenges them to realize their greatest potential. New ideas, changing infrastructure, innovative technology, and fresh approaches are opening up possibilities for the future of research, teaching, and work. Are you ready to embrace the future together? Equity and diversity are essential to academic excellence. An open and diverse community fosters the inclusion of voices that have been underrepresented or discouraged. We encourage applications from members of groups that have been marginalized on any grounds enumerated under the B.C. Human Rights Code, including sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, racialization, disability, political belief, religion, marital or family status, age, and/or status as a First Nation, Metis, Inuit, and/or Indigenous person. All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however Canadians and permanent residents will be given priority. If you have any accommodation or accessibility needs during the job application process, please contact the Centre for Workplace Accessibility at workplace.accessibility@ubc.ca.