The University of Calgary Looking for Associate Director, Internal Controls, Finance at Calgary, AB Full Time

Position Overview

The Finance Department is currently seeking a Full-time Regular Associate Director, Internal Controls.

The Associate Director, Internal Controls (“Associate Director”) reports to the Director, Financial Reporting and is accountable for ensuring the University’s internal control system and financial processes are effective and continually improving. The Associate Director is also responsible for leading the design and implementation of process and reporting improvement initiatives that are assigned to the role. The Associate Director is also responsible for the non-IT components of the PCI compliance program. The Associate Director requires a high level of discretionary decision making and judgement, the ability to identify creative solutions to problems, a significant level of technical knowledge and strong relationship-building skills.

The Associate Director works directly with senior leadership in administrative business functions including but not limited to Finance, Human Resources and Information Technologies as well with internal and external auditors. Through managing a team of internal controls professionals, subject matter experts, and financial professionals, the position supports process owners throughout process improvement projects, while ensuring the internal controls program at the University operates effectively.

The Associate Director will demonstrate a high degree of initiative and objectivity and the ability to balance an effective control framework against risk, safeguarding of assets and the efficient use of resources. The Associate Director provides recommendations and advice to leadership on internal controls and works with process owners to identify improvements to existing processes and practices. The role also works closely with both the external and internal auditors of the University to ensure all audit findings are evaluated and addressed appropriately and all requests are responded to in a timely manner.

Position Description

Summary of Key Responsibilities (job functions include but are not limited to):

• Ensure the Universitys Internal Control Program is operating effectively
• Support process owners in the identification of financial and operation risks and the effective use of internal controls to mitigate those risks
• Lead the design and implementation of process improvement initiatives as assigned to the role
• Maintain up-to-date process documentation, risk registers, key control, and risk gap and remediation plan documents
• Prepare frequent reporting to senior leadership on the University’s Internal Control Program
• Work with IT to ensure the University continues to meet its Payment Card Industry Compliance (‘PCI’) requirements
• Manage a team of internal controls professionals, provide guidance, support, training, and mentorship to the team.
• Responsible for all facets of employee management including recruitment and terminations as required. Authorizes overtime and vacation for staff, and recommends promotions/increments for employees based on performance.
• With general direction from the Director, Financial Reporting, develop consistent measures and expectations to assess performance of the financial analysts and administrators.
• Provides regular feedback, conducts the performance review process with a focus on career growth and development.
• Manage day to day workflow for team to ensure department targets are achieve and work allocation is appropriate.
• Ensures staff are well trained, competent, supported in their work and encouraged in their professional development.
• Manage complex University issues and challenging interpersonal interactions with composure and diplomacy while maintaining confidentiality.
• Proactively develop and maintain trustworthy, productive, problem-solving working relationships with colleagues and staff, across the University community and external agencies.
• Provide communication and education to faculties and units in connection with the University’s internal control framework.
• Liaise with departments, faculties, researchers and senior administration to ensure the understanding of and compliance with financial policies and procedures.
• Ensure that communications are timely, informative and appropriately represent Finance and the University.

Qualifications / Requirements:

• Professional accounting designation (CPA) with a related university degree.
• 10 years of progressive experience in various accounting functions combined with strong experience in process documentation, process improvement, and risk mitigation analysis, testing, and reporting.
• Managerial experience and proven ability to provide direction and leadership to staff.
• Demonstrated ability to work well with others and to handle difficult situations while maintaining effective and productive working relationships.
• Must be able to think logically, solve problems and be critically objective with an ability to develop innovative solutions to problems.
• Demonstrated experience in leading business process change including change management skills and experience in implementing business process change.
• Previous experience in the post-secondary education sector, auditing and/or public practice accounting firm, would be an asset.

Application Deadline: December 5, 2022

We would like to thank all applicants in advance for submitting their resumes. Please note, only those candidates chosen to continue on through the selection process will be contacted.

Additional Information

This position is classified in the Management Career Band, Level 3 of the Management and Professional Staff Career Framework. Management and Professional Staff (MaPS) Positions are currently under review as part of the Alberta Labour Relations Board exclusion review process. Visit the HR website for more information.

To find out more about management and staff opportunities at the University of Calgary and all we have to offer, view our Management and Staff Careers website.

The University strongly recommends all faculty and staff are fully vaccinated against COVID-19.

About the University of Calgary

The University of Calgary is Canada’s leading next-generation university – a living, growing and youthful institution that embraces change and opportunity with a can-do attitude. Located in the nation’s most enterprising city, the university is making tremendous progress on its Eyes High journey to be recognized as one of Canada’s top five research universities, grounded in innovative learning and teaching and fully integrated with the community it both serves and leads. The University of Calgary inspires and supports discovery, creativity and innovation across all disciplines. For more information, visit ucalgary.ca.

The University of Calgary has launched an institution-wide Indigenous Strategy in line with the foundational goals of Eyes High, committing to creating a rich, vibrant, and culturally competent campus that welcomes and supports Indigenous Peoples, encourages Indigenous community partnerships, is inclusive of Indigenous perspectives in all that we do.

As an equitable and inclusive employer, the University of Calgary recognizes that a diverse staff/faculty benefits and enriches the work, learning and research experiences of the entire campus and greater community. We are committed to removing barriers that have been historically encountered by some people in our society. We strive to recruit individuals who will further enhance our diversity and will support their academic and professional success while they are here. In particular, we encourage members of the designated groups (women, Indigenous peoples, persons with disabilities, members of visible/racialized minorities, and diverse sexual orientation and gender identities) to apply. To ensure a fair and equitable assessment, we offer accommodation at any stage during the recruitment process to applicants with disabilities. Questions regarding [diversity] EDI at UCalgary can be sent to the Office of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion ([email protected]) and requests for accommodations can be sent to Human Resources ([email protected]).

We encourage all qualified applicants to apply, however preference will be given to Canadian citizens and permanent residents of Canada.