Welcome to the VP Finance & Operations portfolio
The nine divisions of the VPFO are responsible for the stewardship of UBC’s physical and financial assets, as well as safety and risk management for our university community.
We oversee a $3.98 billion budget, a $3.38 billion endowment, and all facilities on both campuses, as well as managing the university’s relationships with UBC Investment Management and UBC Properties Trust. In all the portfolio’s responsibilities, we are committed to the values of innovation, unity and accountability.

VPFO Strategic Plan 2024–2027
Having a strategic plan gives us a clear path, keeping everyone on the same page. Learn more about where we’re going next and how we plan to get there.
News from the VPFO
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UBC Board of Governors approves balanced operating budget for 2024/25
UBC is reporting a healthy financial position as part of its 2024/25 budget, approved by the Board of Governors this week.
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Do your part and Sort It Out
As we continue our commitment to sustainability, we want to take a moment to remind everyone of the importance of recycling and waste sorting and to continue to sort their personal deskside waste. Learn more.
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Contacting your Direct Travel Advisor
Direct Travel Advisors can be used for UBC related or personal travel and are able to provide general advice on your travel planning, bookings, and travel cancellation insurances. Learn more on the UBC Finance travel booking page.
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UBC employees get discounts for rail services between Pearson Airport and Downtown Toronto
As part of the UBC Travel Program, a 25% discount is now available for UBC employees who sign up with UP Express using their UBC email address for rail services between Pearson Airport and Downtown Toronto for any business-related travels.
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UBC Launches Workday Assistant Chat Tool
The Office of the Chief Information Officer and VP Finance & Operations are pleased to announce the launch of Workday Assistant in Workday. Workday Assistant is a conversational chatbot tool for faculty, staff and student employees to optionally use when…
People of the VPFO
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Parveen Mann joins UBC as Director, Human Resources
We are pleased to welcome Parveen Mann to the VPFO as our new Director of Human Resources, reporting to Vice-President, Finance & Operations, Peter Smailes, effective June 21.
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VPFO Finance Realignments Following Workday Go-Live
Many members of our VPFO team played key roles in launch of Workday at UBC, and following the success of go-live we are ready to continue modernizing our core business processes, improve how we are structured, and transform the way…
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Leadership one-on-one with our Comptroller, Karamjeet Heer
As UBC’s Comptroller, Karamjeet is responsible for ensuring the university’s fiscal sustainability by providing financial intelligence and strategy. This week she has been featured in the UBC Today Leadership One-on-One interview series.
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Yvonne Kwok promoted to Communications Manager, Facilities and Safety & Risk Services
Yvonne Kwok will be expanding her role as Communications Manager, Facilities & SRS, effective Friday, May 21, 2021.
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Dawn Irmscher joins UBC as Director of Payroll
Dawn brings a wealth of experience in finance, operations, technical, and systems implementation to the university, and most recently served as the Director of Finance for the Sooke School District in Victoria, BC.