Business Officer

Date Posted: 04/28/2025
Req ID:42700
Faculty/Division: UofT Scarborough
Department: UTSC:Dept-Physical & Environmental Sci
Campus: University of Toronto Scarborough (UTSC)

Description:

About us:

The University of Toronto Scarborough is a place of energy, enthusiasm and passion. Our commitment to inclusive excellence attracts the brightest learners, scholars and employees from around the globe.Our success has been made possible by the opportunity given to us by our Indigenous hosts to operate on their territory, and we cherish our continuing partnerships with these communities. The University of Toronto Scarborough is an exciting campus with unlimited potential. Join us on our journey.

The Department of Physical & Environmental Sciences is built on a strong foundation of dedicated staff and faculty. This Department is a multidisciplinary unit comprised of four primary groups: Chemistry, Environmental Science, Environmental Studies and Physics & Astronomy with faculty who are engaged in vital research to better understand our environment. This Department is a place where diversity fuels innovation. Discover a campus filled with energy, culture and world changing ideas and facilities. Discover the University of Toronto Scarborough.

This search aligns with the University’s commitment to strategically and proactively promote diversity among our community members (Statement on Equity, Diversity & Excellence). Recognizing that Black, Indigenous, and other Racialized communities have experienced inequities that have developed historically and are ongoing, we strongly welcome and encourage candidates from those communities to apply.

Your opportunity:

Reporting into Senior Manager, Finance and Administration, the Business Officer will be responsible for the overall financial management of the Department. The incumbent provides critical oversight of the Department’s account’s payables/receivables, leads procurement activities, oversees payroll operations, prepares budget reports, forecasts, regular monthly monitoring reports and provide data analysis to support Department Leadership decision making. The Supervisor ensures that all financial transactions are aligned with: general accepted accounting principles, the University’s Guide to Financial Management and Research Sponsor Agencies. The incumbent also needs to ensure that HR/payroll transactions conform to all legislated policies and collective agreements.

The Business Officer will regularly review and recommend financial process/procedures improvements to ensure they remain current, are efficient in when it comes to staff resources, increase transparency, improves accountability and customer satisfaction. Your exceptional organizational and leadership skills will enable you to oversee, train and mentor a team of high caliber staff and ensure the Department meets all of its fiduciary responsibilities. Your creativity will help foster an environment of innovation designed to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of our processes. The Department places a strong emphasis on data management and process automation so your ability to create automated processes that gather, sort, analyze and present data will be critical in supporting the Department’s efforts to streamline its processes to improve accountability and transparency.

This is an excellent opportunity to join our dynamic and dedicated team that values new ideas and initiatives, and the teamwork required to see those ideas become reality.

Your responsibilities will include:

• Forecasting, planning and monitoring multiple complex budgets

• Analyzing financial trends and preparing analytical reports and forecasts for management decision making

• Monitoring department budget to ensure expenditures remain within budgeted allocations

• Applying the University Guide to Financial Management and other applicable policies, agency and regulatory requirements

• Preparing accounts payables and recievables according to the University Guide to Financial Management and preparing payroll records for processing

• Overseeing day-to-day operational needs of the unit

• Keeping well-informed on changes to policies, procedures, collective agreements, and applicable legislated requirements

• Directing the activities of a group of staff-appointed employees all performing a similar function

Essential Qualifications:

• Bachelor's Degree with a specialization in finance, accounting or other related field of study, or acceptable combination of equivalent education and experience.

• Minimum four years related financial experience specifically in the areas of monthly statement reconciliation, budget preparation, forecasting, analysis, reporting and procurement

• Progressive procurement experience with the demonstrated ability to assess and determine appropriate procurement processes as well as effectively conduct bid/proposal analysis/evaluation

• Proficiency in generating standard financial reports and analyzing complex statistical information

• Demonstrated experience using spreadsheet and other software to streamline and automate data collection, sorting, analyzing and presenting information in both graphical and numerical formats

• Experience with overseeing, verifying and processing all accounts payable and receivable activities

• Experience with overseeing payroll processes, including processing payroll and troubleshooting and resolving payroll discrepancies

• Experience with conceptualizing and implementing plans and process improvements for financial/administrative work flows

• Experience supervising staff, preferably in a unionized environment

• Strong knowledge of accounting practices and financial policies

• Excellent oral and written communication, interpersonal, facilitation and presentation skills

• Must have strong computer skills, including a high degree of functionality in the use of allMicrosoft Office applications, specifically advanced Excel skills with demonstrated experience using spreadsheets to streamline and automate data collection, sorting, analyzing and presenting information in both graphical and numerical formats

• Exceptional organizational skills, attention to detail, ability to successfully meet deadlines and proven project management abilities, coupled with adaptability and a commitment to building strong community relationships; capable of working independently and collaboratively within a diverse and inclusive environment

• Demonstrated analytical ability (for researching and analyzing business processes) with great attention to detail, and ability to meet deadlines in a fast-paced work environment.

• Strong consultative decision-making skills, demonstrated through approachability, supportiveness, and equitable interactions with faculty, graduate students and postdoctoral scholars

• Patient, strong commitment to excellent customer service when dealing with students, staff and academics.

• The incumbent must have a passion for supporting instructors of diverse backgrounds across the humanities, social sciences, science and management disciplines; sensitivity to the professional developmentchallenges and support needs of educators at all career stages and all levels of experience

• Must show evidence of a commitment to equity, diversity, inclusion, and the promotion of a respectful and collegial learning and working environment

Assets (Nonessential):

• A recognized procurement designation (i.e. through NIGP,SCMA, OPBA, ISM)/ Professional Designation (CPA)

• Experience using the University’s Research Information System (RIS).

• In-depth understanding of University procurement policies and procedures

To be successful in this role you will be:

• Accountable

• Adaptable

• Assertive

• Meticulous

• Organized

• Problem solver

Notes: 

• A full job description is available upon request from the UTSC HR Office. 

• This role is currently eligible for a hybrid work arrangement, pursuant to University policies and guidelines, including but not limited to the University of Toronto's Alternative Work Arrangements Guideline.

Closing Date: 05/11/2025, 11:59PM ET
Employee Group: USW
Appointment Type: Budget - Continuing
Schedule: Full-Time
Pay Scale Group & Hiring Zone: USW Pay Band 14 -- $90,056. with an annual step progression to a maximum of $115,169. Pay scale and job class assignment is subject to determination pursuant to the Job Evaluation/Pay Equity Maintenance Protocol.
Job Category: Administrative / Managerial