Director, Finance

General Accountability:

The Director, Finance, is responsible for overseeing a wide range of functions including payroll, accounts payable, accounts receivable, cashiering, contract administration, cash and treasury management. As part of the management oversight review, enhancement and implementation of internal controls will be key. In addition the position is key in developing internal and external relationships to enhance supply chain management, vendor engagement (in partnership with the Director of Supply Chain Management) and other business partnerships. The position will provide leadership to the Financial Services Department in the implementation of the key areas of the organizations strategic plan particularly around the area of student customer service and engagement. The position will be key in exploring and implementing new technologies and service options for both internal and external customers. As a member of the Financial Services team, the incumbent is responsible for providing analysis, advice, and business support to all levels of management on a variety of financial and business matters.

Organization and Structure:

This position is an integral part of the senior Financial Services team and works collaboratively with all Directors and Managers in the team to achieve the strategic and operational goals of the Financial Services division and the University. Specifically the team is responsible for the full scope of financial services and will work together to prepare financial statements, analysis, internal and external reporting, review and implement new systems, business processes, procurement, warehousing and internal controls.

Nature and Scope:

The scope of the Director, Finance includes the management, administration and coordination of the full functions of payroll, accounts payable, accounts receivable, treasury functions, internal control, data integrity, integration of financial systems, customer service, developing key internal and external relationships, business process reviews, and general accounting functions.

The incumbent shall assist the Associate Vice-President to develop and implement a divisional mission congruent with the organization's vision.

To be successful, the incumbent requires a high degree of motivation, critical thinking, independence, judgment, management and supervisory skills, tact and diplomacy and well-polished communication and interpersonal skills. In addition the incumbent needs to have significant knowledge and experience in business processes, current technology and emergent technology to institute and maintain leading business practices.

Specific Accountabilities:

1. Planning and directing through the staff, the University's financial operations, including the functions of treasury and disbursements (vendor and staff).
2. Assisting the Associate Vice-President Finance (and the Director Financial Planning and Budgeting) in developing short and long term financial plans.
3. Establishing goals and objectives, performance standards, motivating, training, directing, and evaluating the performance of staff.
4. Overall responsibility for an effective cash management system relating to all aspects of collections, disbursements, investments, liquidity, cash forecasting and planning and implementation of formal cash policies, procedures and strategies to maximize investment income and cash balances
5. Lead and undertake process improvement initiatives with finance and cross functional teams members.
6. Ensuring the University's financial operations are conducted in accordance with applicable laws and government regulations.
7. Responsible for coordinating collection and availability of financial data in a timely manner to meet internal and external reporting requirements.
8. Review, develop, monitor and amend systems, procedures, business process to ensure internal controls are appropriate, functional and operational.
9. Ongoing assessment and enhanced efficiency of a customer-focused approach to service delivery of financial services to the TRU community.
10. Assist the Associate Vice-President, Finance, in presenting financial statements, budgets, forecasts and other reports as required.
11. Provide financial and business services to Deans, Managers and the Executive.
12. Maintaining a close liaison with the University's internal and external auditors.
13. The hiring, promotion, dismissal or reassignment of staff.
14. Ensuring the maintenance of historical financial records archives in compliance with legislation and TRU policy.
15. Keeping abreast of technological changes and changes in accounting standards to ensure conformance with GAAP and appropriate legislation.
16. Responsible for the Financial Procedures and Policy Manual.
17. Assuming the duties and responsibilities of the Associate Vice-President, Finance, in his/her absence as directed.
18. As part of the Finance team, the Director, Financial Services will assist in the:

• Reporting of statutory filings required by the provincial and federal governments;
• Preparation and review of year-end working papers and files;
• Preparation of the annual financial statements;
• Financial analyses and interpretation of results to all levels of management, including recommendations for corrective action if and where required.

REPORTS TO
Associate Vice-President, Finance