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
-
Last pick-ups from Environment Services Facilities will be on December 16
The Environmental Services Facilities (ESF) will be closed starting December 20, 2021 until January 4, 2022. The last day of pick-ups from academic departments will be December 16. For questions or concerns, please contact your ESF technicians before December 20.
-
A reminder to stick to primary routes when driving to campus
When extreme weather comes to UBC Vancouver, Municipal Services in Building Operations is responsible for managing snow and ice within the Vancouver campus. Our snow removal and deicing vehicles work in priority zones to ensure the highest risk areas of…
-
UBC Launches Indigenous Finance Guidelines and Spend Category for Status Indian Individuals on Reserve
The Guidelines review current payment practices at UBC and highlight some of the disparities in standard processes for the disbursement of funds to Indigenous partners. They also describe the alternative, flexible payment process piloted by IRSI and conclude with a…
-
UBC Second Quarter 2021/22 Financial Report is now available
The university’s second quarter 2021/22 financial report is now available on the UBC Finance website. While the university continues to operate under an element of uncertainty related to the pandemic—confidence in the forecast is solidifying, with strong indications from Enrolment Services…
-
Delay in ordering UBC Visa cards
Please note that the Credit Card team will hold off on ordering new UBC Visa cards starting from Wednesday, December 15, 2021, until Tuesday, January 4, 2022, due to office closure during the holiday season.
People of the VPFO
-
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.
-
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…
-
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.
-
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.
-
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.