Named a Top 100 Employer in 2023, 2024 and 2025, and a National Capital Region Top Employer for 10 consecutive years, Carleton University is inviting applications for the continuing full-time Manager, Financial Services position.
Job Summary
Responsible for managing all financial aspects of the Provost and Vice-President (Academic) as well as the President and Vice-Chancellor Divisions including the sub-units within those portfolios. The role oversees day-to-day financial operations within the offices under its authority including both short- and long-term resource allocation and financial controls, conducting unit-level reviews and analyses to interpret data, identify trends, and providing regular advice and counsel to executive leaders. The position supports the preparation of the annual operating budgets for these Divisions
Key Accountabilities
Planning & Risk Management
- Contributes to broader annual planning, including identification of goals, targets, and outcomes in support of the executive leaders
- Manages annual unit-level planning, identifies need for modifications, determines implications and options and completes reconciliations and prepares recommendations
- Identifies financial risks, determines implications, develops recommendations and implements action plans
- Ensure compliance with all applicable legislation, governance structures, policies and procedures. Contributes to the development of internal financial controls, policies and procedures. Develops and maintains process documentation as part of an overall Divisional operations manual
- Assesses and recommends opportunities for continuous improvement to current financial management systems and/or processes, recommending new technology and acting as a portfolio representative on various financial system projects as required
- Evaluates financial processes, policies, and procedures and identifies opportunities for continuous improvement.
Financial Management
- Performs routine to complex financial and accounting duties, including processing financial transactions, monitoring cash flows and expenditures, preparing financial reporting (ensuring accordance with generally accepted accounting principles), overseeing account management, financial reporting and planning for units across the portfolios under their management
- Develops and maintains a system of internal controls and financial policies in support of executive leaders. This includes analyzing and flagging to the leads any areas of potential internal control issues and/or financial or other risks.
- Provides guidance and training to Division staff on financial systems, budget preparation and financial management. Prepares and coordinates annual operating budget for executive Divisions, consults and liaises with academic and administrative units and supporting ancillary units, developing financial planning models and budget tool kits
- Monitors current funds, tracks variances, projects, forecasts, audits, reports, approves and implements changes to budgets
- Performs a variety of ad hoc accounting duties, including preparing complex journal entries by compiling and analyzing account information
- Collects, audits and analyzes financial data, reconciles accounts, prepares reports for shortterm and long-term decision making, and ensures alignment with institutional strategic plans
- Ensures accuracy and integrity of related data within the financial management system. Develops, maintains and improves models and templates in Excel for use for recurring financial analyses
- Undertakes special projects assigned by the Chief of Staff on behalf of Division leaders, which may include data analysis, process change and providing recommendations based on analysis
- Performs and/or oversees receipt, processing, verification, reconciliation, and completion of payment of invoices and expenses ▪ Performs varied financial accounting, cost accounting, budgeting and systems duties as required ▪ Oversees financial database maintenance, completes searches, validates data, and generates reports, documents, and lists from programs and applications ▪ Manages financial system access for administrators and leaders for the Divisions and units under their authority. ▪ Maintains professional and technical knowledge by attending workshops and reviewing professional publications ▪ Oversees spending and service agreements related to professional services and technology ▪ Researches best practices to inform policy and process changes with a goal of continuous improvement.
People Leadership
- Manages day-to-day operations, develops and implements training plans and programs, ensures work quality and completion standards across Divisions Provides guidance to academic and administrative leaders, managers and staff on financial management relating to their responsibilities Provides guidance and advice on escalated and challenging issues Provides oversight, training and support to managers and staff on financial systems, budget preparation, and financial management
Stakeholder Relationship
- Provides support to the Chief of Staff, Provost and Vice-President (Academic) and the President and Vice-Chancellor Divisions on financial matters. Provides work direction and technical/functional guidance to unit-based staff. Establishes and maintains effective communication and coordination with internal stakeholders – staff, senior management and administrative departments and with external stakeholders – regulatory bodies and other institutions. Functions as a key liaison with the Office of Planning, Budgeting and Analysis, Financial Services, Research Financial Services, and the Purchasing and Procurement Services teams on behalf of the executive leaders’ teams. Participates in committees and working groups, provides input and advice, and undertakes research and information gathering to inform decisions. Collaborates with other managers and professional staff to resolve issues and challenges and deliver programs and services Performs other duties as assigned.
Job Requirements
Core Knowledge, Education and Experience
- Knowledge of finance, budget, and administration policies, procedures, and processes ▪ Knowledge of internal controls, audit, and accounting practices and processes ▪ Knowledge of relevant governing legislation ▪ Knowledge of office as well as the broader university administrative and academic units, departments, and divisions ▪ Knowledge of office productivity software and databases, internet competency, disciplinespecific software, enterprise software ▪ Knowledge of cultural competency and diversity in a business context
Education
- Completion of bachelor’s degree (preferably in Accounting or related financial studies)
- Current Chartered Professional Accountant designation required. Membership in good standing must be maintained as a requirement of this position.
Experience
- Minimum of five years of previous finance, budget, and administration experience with solid knowledge of GAAP (NPO GAAP an asset), internal controls and auditing principles
- Minimum of three years of financial leadership experience
Please apply to the position posted on the Carleton University website by July 26, 2026
https://carleton.njoyn.com/CL2/xweb/xweb.asp?CLID=53443&page=joblisting&lang=1
Pay: $100,264.00-$130,343.00 per year
Benefits:
- Company pension
- Dental care
- Employee assistance program
- Extended health care
- Life insurance
- On-site childcare
- On-site gym
- Paid time off
- Tuition reimbursement
Work Location: In person
