OPPORTUNITY PROFILE

DIRECTOR AND CONTROLLER, FINANCIAL SERVICES

WESTERN UNIVERSITY | DIRECTOR AND CONTROLLER, FINANCIAL SERVICES

CONTENTS

THE ORGANIZATION WESTERN UNIVERSITY 1

THE OPPORTUNITY DIRECTOR AND CONTROLLER,

FINANCIAL SERVICES 3

Unit Overview 3

Key Accountabilities 4

Outcomes to Achieve 6

THE INDIVIDUAL 8

Education, Professional Qualifications and Licenses 8

Experience 8

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities and Attributes 8

LONDON, ONTARIO 10

CONTACT 11

WESTERN UNIVERSITY

The mission statement of Western University guides the actions of the institution. “Western creates, disseminates

and applies knowledge for the benefit of society through excellence in teaching, research and scholarship. Western

graduates will be global citizens whose education and leadership will serve the public good.”

Western’s vision is to be a destination of choice for

the world’s brightest minds seeking the best learning

experience at a leading Canadian research university.

Since 1878, ‘The Western Experience’ has combined

academic excellence with life-long opportunities for

intellectual, social, and cultural growth in order to

better serve our communities.

Western appeals to students with a broad worldview,

those seeking to study, engage with, and eventually

lead in the global community. Students from more

than 100 countries share in classroom experiences that

broaden personal perspectives and understanding.

Beyond campus, students are engaged in a variety of

study-abroad, research, and volunteer opportunities.

Western students strike a balance between high

academic achievement and athletic and social

engagement that together fosters a sense of pride

and belonging in the Western community.

Western’s alumni — a global network quickly

approaching 300,000 graduates across more than 150

countries — are making significant contributions in

every corner of society, whether business or

medicine, politics or engineering, music or athletics.

Combining over 1,400 faculty, 2,500 administrative

staff, and 32,500 FTE students (including more than

6,000 graduate students), Western has established

itself as a globally-recognized destination for

academic excellence and leadership development

achieved through learning and research. Western

prides itself on challenging the best and brightest

faculty, staff, and students to commit to the highest

global standards.

Through 12 Faculties and Schools, and three affiliated

University Colleges (Huron, Brescia, and King’s),

Western’s vibrant centre of learning offers its under-

graduate students more than 400 specializations,

majors, and minors, as well as innovative modular

degree structures allowing them to combine

numerous disciplines. In graduate education, Western

offers 53 Doctoral and 83 Master’s programs.

Western has a proud history of liberal arts teaching

and research, delivering graduates well-grounded in

critical thinking, ethics, and the importance of service

Western University - Director and Controller, Financial Services - Opportunity Profile 1 | Page

to the larger community. Our Schulich School of

Medicine and Dentistry, Ivey Business School, and

renowned Faculties of Law, Engineering, and Health

Sciences offer an array of professional programs that

instill in students a tradition of leadership and

innovation that are indicative of the Western

Experience.

Western excels in moving research out of the labs and

into the lives of people around the world through

public and private sector partnerships. From the

operating room to the boardroom, the factory floor

to spacecraft rocketing beyond the Earth’s

atmosphere, Western’s research drives discovery and

innovation, and informs public policy.

Western researchers collaborate with colleagues

across the campus, country, and globe to advance

innovation and inform policy on the world stage.

The University is home to clusters of excellence in

areas ranging from cognitive neuroscience to

musculoskeletal research, and home to such institutes

of national and inter-national repute as BrainsCAN, the

Robarts Research Institute, Rotman Institute of

Philosophy, and Brain and Mind Institute, among

others.

Considered one of Canada’s most beautiful universities,

Western’s main campus spans 400 acres of Gothic-style

buildings mixed with modern, LEED-certified structures

that provide an idyllic environment for its community

of scholars. The university is located in London, Canada

– a vibrant, and welcoming community of more than

384,000 people serving as a regional medical and

industrial hub for southwestern Ontario.

For more information related to Western University, please visit the following websites: • Western’s Strategic Plan: “Achieving Excellence on the World: Click here

• Indigenous Strategic Plan: Click here

• Strategic Mandate Agreement: Click here

• President’s Priorities: Click here

• Governance: Click here

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THE OPPORTUNITY

DIRECTOR AND CONTROLLER, FINANCIAL SERVICES

Reporting to the Associate Vice-President, Financial Services, the Director and Controller, Financial Services

(“Controller”) is responsible for overseeing the financial accounting and control system for the University. The

Controller will provide timely and accurate financial reporting, analysis, and advice to the University community

and its leadership. As part of the Financial Services senior management team, the Controller also establishes and

implements strategic objectives and leads a high performing corporate accounting team. The Controller acts as

the primary liaison with the external auditors and government agencies relating to financial reports, inquiries

and audits.

Unit Overview

Unit Mission: To provide effective financial leadership, services, information, and stewardship in support of the

academic, research and service activities of Western’s community.

Key Goals of the Unit:

• To ensure the effective and efficient management of the funds that flow through the University’s financial

statements (over $1 billion per annum);

• To support the Best Student Experience by supporting the administrative and financial activities of those

units in direct contact with our students;

• To provide complete and accurate financial information, on a timely basis, that can be used for effective

financial decision making and management;

• To identify situations of financial risk and take the necessary actions to reduce the exposure;

• To establish financial policies and procedures for the University and to ensure compliance with these policies

and those of granting agencies, CPA Canada and all applicable government legislation;

• To manage the University’s cash flow to optimize the use of funds for investment purposes; and

• To implement effective strategies for investing and borrowing.

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Key Accountabilities

• To ensure the effective and efficient management of the funds that flow through the University’s financial

statements (over $1 billion per annum);

• Provides strategic and cross-functional leadership to Financial Services teams, while articulating a clear

vision that supports and enables staff to excel in the delivery of services;

• Enhances the professional development of their team by providing guidance, experiential and other

learning opportunities to increase knowledge and team capacity;

• Collaborates with leaders and stakeholders to develop and implement a strategic plan for the department

that is in line with Western's strategies and desired outcomes;

• Leads strategic initiatives providing consultation, overseeing change management/project implementations

that impact multiple stakeholders across the University community;

• Proactively builds, develops and maintains positive relationships within the University community;

• Collaborates and provides professional advice, direction and guidance to the University community on

matters such as:

a. Development of major financial information systems (PeopleSoft Financials, Student Accounts)

b. Taxation advice and various HST matters as they relate arise

c. Financial reporting, consolidation, accounting and transaction support

d. Development of effective internal controls, policies and procedures

• Ensures that both the University’s internal and external reporting is accurate, timely and in accordance with

generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP):

a. Works with the AVP, Financial Services in establishing efficient and effective control over the

accounting and reporting of all consolidated University financial funds including operating, ancillary,

capital, research, endowment and other trust funds

b. Maintains adequate internal control procedures for the University’s assets, liabilities, and finances as

required by generally accepted accounting principles, University policy, and government regulations

c. Directs the development and maintenance of appropriate financial accounting methods and

processes for an organization with over $1 billion in annual revenue and expenditures

d. Manages the Corporate Accounting team to ensure the University accounting transactions follow

appropriate accounting principles and are recorded accurately and on a timely basis

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• Develops and delivers sophisticated financial reporting and guidance to the University community that aids

in the efficient and timely management of the institution’s financial affairs;

• Manages the preparation of internal and external financial statements and statistical reports for all funds

entrusted to the University;

• Manages all year-end audit activity and serves as the primary contact person with the external auditors;

• Oversees all interactions with governmental agencies related to financial reporting, inquiries and audits;

• Ensures the University is compliant with tax regulations and filing of the tax returns;

• Manages the creation of annual reports, including annual Financial Reporting for Council of Financial

Officers – Council of Ontario Universities (COFO – COU); Charity Return for Canada Revenue Agency –

Charity Division; and US government information returns (IRS);

• Serves as a member of the COFO Financial Reporting Committee and/or the CAUBO Financial Reporting

Committee, representing Western University on financial issues;

• Responds to queries from financial colleagues at other universities across Canada; and

• Assists the AVP, Financial Services with special projects as required.

Dimensions:

• Total annual revenues and expenses accounted for (consolidated): over $1 billion

• Companies consolidated: 11

• Numerous financial administrators and officers supported across campus

Outcomes the role is to achieve

• The University community is served by an engaged and motivated team, focused on delivering excellent

customer service;

• Strong, productive relationships with senior management team members, colleagues, direct reports and

clients across the University campus;

• Presentations and communications are engaging, well-planned, clear and use appropriate styles and tools;

• Internal and external reporting is accurate, timely and completed in accordance with generally accepted

accounting principles;

• Accounting is managed and completed for all University financial funds, including operating, ancillary,

capital, research, endowment and other trust funds;

• Team members are well-informed of, and comply with, financial practices;

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• Legal, operational, and financial risks are well-managed;

• A balanced budget that is comprehensive of all expenses and aligned with University strategic plans;

• Unit goals and work priorities are aligned with Western's strategic directions, and are acted upon by unit

leadership;

• Skilled and collegial leadership exists across the department teams;

• Team development is supported through active coaching and guidance, including appropriate

performance management and the introduction of training and development plans as required; and

• Stakeholders are informed of potential challenges, and leadership has received well thought out and

timely plans for responding to those challenges.

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Associate Vice-President

Director & Controller,

Financial Services

1 FTE 1 FTE 5.5 FTE

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Financial Officer

(Special Funds) Capital Accountant

Manager Accounts

Payable & Travel Assistant Controller

THE INDIVIDUAL

This critical appointment for Western calls for a strategic, collaborative and forward thinking leader – someone

who is energized by the opportunity to deliver on the mandate of the Financial Services portfolio, in support of

strengthening and protecting Western’s brand and accounting and reporting practices. While the search

committee recognizes that no one individual will possess all of these qualifications in equal measure, the

following are seen to be particularly important:

Education, Professional Qualifications and Licenses

• Undergraduate Degree is required;

• A Master’s Degree is preferred; and

• Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA) designation is required.

Required Experience

• Experience providing successful strategic and operational leadership;

• Experience working in complex financial environments;

• Experience leading project teams and staff;

Preferred Experience

• Experience in a public sector or educational institution;

• Experience with Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) software; and

• Experience in using data and visualization tools (e.g. Tableau, Power BI).

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities and Attributes

• Expert knowledge in generally accepted accounting principles, financial statement preparation, and their

application to financial reporting for non-profit organizations;

• Demonstrated commitment to ethical and moral values in support of the University;

• Knowledge of control frameworks and proper control procedures;

• Knowledge of enterprise-wide risk management;

• Knowledge of the legal framework(s) and governance in which the University operates;

• Knowledge of tax law including taxable benefits and indirect taxes as they apply to not for profit entities;

• Ability to create and build relationships with internal and external stakeholders;

• Communication skills with the ability to simplify convey complex narratives through verbal, written, or

visual reporting to various stakeholders, including executive management and the Board of Governors;

• Task oriented with high regard for work ethic in getting work done, accurately and in a timely manner;

• Openness to recognize when change is necessary, and to develop, implement and lead effective change

management strategies;

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• Proven ability to build both formal and informal professional relationships within, across, and external to

organizational boundaries;

• Ability to collaborate across internal and external boundaries to meet common objectives, improve

outcomes and support work beyond one's own unit;

• Ability to deal confidentially with information that has financial, political, regulatory and reputational

implications;

• Innovative and flexible critical thinking skills to adjust to and implement new accounting approaches to the

University’s advantage;

• Ability to draw on diversity of skills, backgrounds and knowledge of people to lead a team, inspire and

motivate employees, build capacity and excel as a team;

• Ability to prioritize and oversee multiple projects in a fast-paced environment;

• Ability to make decisions and recommendations that are clearly linked to the organization's strategy and

goals;

• Ability to promote individual growth by encouraging professional development:

• Ability to analyze exposures and make recommendations to decrease financial risk;

• Ability to quickly re-allocate resources and adjust priorities in response to unexpected events or changing

circumstances;

• Advanced computer skills in Microsoft Office, with knowledge of spreadsheet and database software and

auditing strategies for financial transaction data;

• Ability to delegate, organize and effectively manage financial and human resources needed to achieve

results;

• Ability to demonstrate a high level of professionalism and to work effectively and efficiently with internal

and external clients at all levels of the organization;

• Ability to identify long-range goals and design realistic plans to attain them.

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LONDON, ONTARIO

London, Ontario, Canada is a safe, vibrant and welcoming community of more than 383,000 people. London

serves as a regional medical and industrial hub for southwestern Ontario.

London is the hub of Middlesex County and is situated at the forks of the non-navigable Thames River,

approximately halfway between Toronto, Ontario and Detroit, Michigan. In addition to Western and its three

affiliated university colleges, the city is home to Fanshawe College and several medical institutions, each

contributing to London's reputation as an international centre of higher education, scientific research and cultural

activity. The city hosts a number of musical and artistic exhibits. London's festivals contribute to its tourism

industry, but its economic activity is centered on education, medical research, insurance, and information

technology. London's postsecondary institutions and hospitals are among its top ten employers. London has an

international airport, train and bus station.

London has witnessed significant economic growth in the past twenty years. Its geographically strategic

positioning provides many benefits to businesses and it boasts an increasingly diverse economy including more

than 300 technology companies. Many national and international businesses have chosen London as a Canadian

home due to its favourable proximity to border crossings, an accessible pool of skilled labour, comparatively

lower costs of doing business and a highly desirable quality of life. Companies such as Dr. Oetker, Hanwha L &

C, The Original Cakerie and C.S. Automotive are already realizing the benefits of establishing their North

American facilities in London. Companies such as 3M and Labatt’s Breweries have been long-standing leaders

in the area, making significant contributions to the city’s economic growth.

For more information about London, please visit:

www.london.ca/

www.londontourism.ca

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EQUAL OPPORTUNITY

Western is committed to employment equity and diversity in the workplace and welcomes applications from women,

members of racialized groups / visible minorities, Aboriginal persons, persons with disabilities, persons with any

sexual orientation, and persons of any gender identity or gender expression.

Accommodations are available for applicants with disabilities throughout the recruitment process by contacting our

search consultant (see below). In accordance with Canadian immigration requirements, all qualified candidates are

encouraged to apply; however, Canadians and Permanent Residents will be given priority.

Western University is an equal opportunity employer. In accordance with the Accessibility for Ontarians with

Disabilities Act, 2005, upon request, accommodation will be provided by both Leaders International and Western

University throughout the recruitment, selection and/or assessment process to applicants with disabilities.

HOW TO APPLY

To apply for this position, please submit a comprehensive resume along with a cover letter in confidence to

Jane Griffith, Managing Partner

LEADERS INTERNATIONAL EXECUTIVE SEARCH

161 Bay Street, 27th Floor

Toronto, ON M5J 2S1

Email: Jane@leadersinternational.com

Mike Eager, Consultant

LEADERS INTERNATIONAL EXECUTIVE SEARCH

1 Rideau Street, Suite 700

Ottawa, Ontario K1N 8S7

Email: Mike@leadersinternational.com