Finance Strategic Business Advisor

Primary Purpose

As a Finance Strategic Business Advisor (SBA), we partner with colleges and units across campus to support strategic finance initiatives focused on the University Plan 2025 in being the university the world needs (nīkānītān manācihitowinihk; ni manachīhitoonaan).

Nature of Work

Our Finance SBA team is part of the Administration portfolio, which includes shared services, human resources, finance, services, and ICT.

Finance SBAs are assigned to support specific colleges and units and implement broader Administration initiatives. Reporting to the Manager, Finance Advisory Services, the SBA is a strategic finance partner, providing support to leadership in colleges or units assigned within their portfolio. The SBA provides financial support to and works with leaders to develop and implement solutions that achieve priorities and outcomes.

Relationships are at the heart of what we do, and it is critical that we are comfortable and effective in working across multiple, diverse and at times, challenging stakeholder groups. From academics to administration, research to operations, we work with all groups in identifying, planning, and implementing financial best practices to advance the mission of the university.

Primary responsibilities of the Finance SBA role include financial and strategic planning, supporting strategic initiatives, financial analysis, financial management, reporting, budgeting and controls, and cost management. The SBA assists leadership teams with various financial activities while maintaining a solid connection to Central Financial Services and other SBAs on campus.



The SBA demonstrates a combination of strong university acumen and financial functional knowledge to participate in the development of financial plans and strategies. The SBA supports the delivery of unit activities and processes while contributing to the strategic and operational planning and development of financial services across the University.

The SBA addresses complex financial matters, applying comprehensive financial management skills and offering exceptional client service, often during periods of change, high work volumes, and stringent deadlines. The SBA facilitates and assists with auditing, reporting, and accounting requirements for the portfolio, and ensures compliance with ethical accounting standards and university policies and procedures. In providing various financial services, the SBA exercises discretion and judgment in maintaining confidential information, and applies sound practices with a consistent, proactive and collaborative approach.

Accountabilities

College/Unit Support

- We participate in strategic thinking and planning about how to best use resources at the unit level.
- We provide strategic advice and support for all budgeting, financial planning and analysis to support the unique financial circumstances of our assigned portfolios.
- We provide regular financial reporting for units against budgets and plans.




- We make recommendations for the alignment between revenue sources and unit priorities and ensure initiatives are monitored and addressed.
- We monitor funding and revenue sources, determine how financial resources are utilized and identify opportunities that achieve greater effectiveness of operations.

Functional Expertise & Collaboration

- We establish and maintain strong working relationships with a variety of constituents across campus, including college and support centre staff, central office colleagues, and service centre partners to ensure success in meeting the college’s, unit’s, and university’s strategic and operational goals.
- We contribute to the development of the Finance portfolio through leading and participating in projects to advance the tools and supports delivered by Finance to colleges and units across campus.
- We ensure that exposure to risk and liability is mitigated by ensuring compliance with relevant legislation, accounting standards, collective agreements, and university and unit policies and procedures.
- We provide valuable financial insight and timely and accurate reporting for all areas of responsibility.
- We provide and implement solutions that will improve financial procedures and processes within the portfolios we support.
- We monitor financial progress on approved projects and initiatives, ensuring funds are expended and reported in an appropriate and timely manner to relevant stakeholders.
- We produce reports for the units we support and prepare financial statements to review with appropriate stakeholders.
- We present and convey accurate information and data to ensure financially viable and sustainable decision-making and problem-solving.
- We support when necessary, procurement of significant goods or services identi

📌 Finance Strategic Business Advisor (Saskatoon)
🏢 University of Saskatchewan
📍 Saskatoon