About Us | Research | University of Waterloo

Research Finance consists of a team of Research Financial Analysts, Research Finance Training and Compliance Officers and Research Project Accountants who are dedicated to supporting researchers in the management and oversight of their research portfolio.

Financial administration and management of research work orders, including budget setup, overhead commitments, processing invoices, sending payments to research sub-recipients, and resolving and closing research work orders
External financial reporting, ensuring adherence to financial requirements and guidelines specified by the sponsor
Monitoring of outstanding research invoices and management of bad debt
- *bad debt expenses are the responsibility of the PI, department and/or faculty
Completing sponsor specific financial audits
RFA portfolios are divided by department/faculty to serve as one point of contact for researchers and departments

Review of expense transactions to ensure adherence to financial requirements and guidelines of sponsor and University policies
Internal reviews and/or audit of research transactions
Develop and deliver training to the research community on research financial compliance and processes

Maintain, develop and improve on financial compliance tools to support the research community
Manage delegation of the signing authority on research work orders

Designated accountants whose responsibilities are a combination of the RFA and RFTCO roles with operational financial planning and management of the research project, including internal financial reporting, budget versus expense analysis, financial presentations, assistance in project forecasting, etc.
Embedded within the project team for a better understanding of research and project requirements
Liaison with support services on behalf of the research project and team
Strong relationships with collaborating institutions and external research partners