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About Us

The Division of Finance and Administration (DFA) is committed to providing professional, value added services that enable and support York University’s mission and vision. Made up of 11 departments, programs and offices, DFA’s mission is to provide expert financial and business support to the institution and to develop, implement, and continuously improve upon best practices and the highest quality administrative services for students, faculty, and staff. While we operate in a financially restrained environment, we continue to create positive change through the quality and cost-effectiveness of the work we do in all areas of finance and administration.


To ensure the continued growth and success of the University, DFA supports the central academic mission of York University by providing a high level of administrative service, enhancing the quality of campus life, and by ensuring fiscal responsibility. The Division provides administrative, infrastructure and support service to the York community as a whole and is actively engaged in monitoring its operations.

Our Vision

Provide reliable, integrated, service-focused institutional infrastructure that helps enable the University to fulfill its Mission and achieve its academic and strategic priorities. The University’s long-term sustainability and the enhancement of campus life are the primary drivers that inform the Division’s work and decision making.

Our Mandate

The Division of Finance and Administration is responsible for supporting the University’s Mission and its strategic and academic plans through professional leadership in managing the physical and financial resources of the institution. DFA sets administrative standards and provides systems, tools and enabling frameworks required to support the University community in their scholarly, research, teaching and professional activities, and to fulfill compliance and legislative requirements. The Division, through implementation of policy, procedure and accountability measures, safeguard the University’s assets, and ensures the effective and efficient use of institutional resources. The Division supports the overall campus experience through the provision of a wide range of services.

Our Goals

  • To ensure high quality and efficient delivery of financial and administrative services to the University
  • To ensure sound and sustainable financial planning, development, and implementation
  • To effectively lead and serve the talented workforce in the Division of Finance and Administration
  • To ensure alignment always, with the strategic and academic priorities of the University


Our People – Conversation Corner

Embracing EDI in DFA

Ruth Branham, Project Coordinator, Campus Accessibility, is committed to EDI. Ruth has been with York for over 15 years. During her time at York she has worked on a number of high-visibility projects including the Exterior Renovations on the Ross and Scott Library Buildings, the elevator upgrades in Bethune and Tatham hall residences and the Abatement & Rehabilitation of 3.7 km utility tunnels across campus, to name just a few. She is a founding member of DFA’s EDI council, and she intends to remain on the council as a retiree after she leaves York in February 2023.

View interview here.