Supervisor, Accounts Payable

We are seeking to fill a full-time, permanent Supervisor, Accounts Payable position on our team.  The Accounts Payable unit is integral to the Finance department and Concordia University Edmonton as a whole. 

Reporting to the Accounting Services Manager, this position will be responsible for supervision of the accounts payable coordinator, all vendor management, and preparation of monthly bank reconciliations.  As the successful candidate, in this role, you will also ensure the timely and accurate processing of expense reimbursements and other accounting transactions related to accounts payable management. You will learn all key functions of the accounts payable unit in order to oversee the unit while other team members are on vacation. This role will require working with other members of the Finance team, to ensure accurate and timely processing and reporting of accounting information.

The accounts payable supervisor will generally work remotely, reporting for duty on campus on a weekly, or as needed basis. (Note: the frequency of on campus visits will be higher during initial weeks of onboarding and in-depth training). 

CUE campus is situated on the banks of the North Saskatchewan River in Edmonton’s historic Highlands neighborhood. Supporting a student body of over 3,000, we are known for our small class sizes and our excellence in teaching. Our small classes and diverse student population provide an excellent opportunity for engaging with students in a sustained and nurturing way unique within the Canadian university system. CUE is an institution that values research in the sciences, social sciences, humanities and management. Our vision is to become Canada’s pre-eminent small university.

 

Concordia University of Edmonton (CUE) is a community of learning grounded in scholarship and academic freedom, preparing students to be independent thinkers, ethical leaders and citizens for the common good. CUE is committed to fostering a diverse, equitable, and inclusive environment for work, study, and living. We actively promote dignity for all, rejecting action and language that are harmful to mutual respect. 

 

Responsibilities:

  • Lead, mentor and oversee the daily duties of the accounts payable coordinator.

  • Set up new vendors in our system and ensure all required documentation is received. 

  • Maintain and update vendor files in expense and financial management programs. 

  • Reconcile vendor statements; investigate and correct discrepancies.

  • Prepare monthly bank reconciliations. 

  • Enter manual cheque requests and prepare cheques when required. 

  • Reimburse employees by verifying expense reports and prepare the reimbursement file by required deadlines.  

  • Process, reconcile and audit company credit card claims.

  • Ensure adherence to internal controls and policies to avoid fraud and for accurate payment processing.

  • Maintain financial security by following internal accounting controls and secures financial information by keeping information confidential.

  • Maintain accounting ledgers by verifying and entering account transactions.

  • Provide excellent customer service to all stakeholders, including vendors, other departments, and colleagues.

  • Collaborate with business units to troubleshoot and find solutions to accounts payable issues.

  • Resolve issues, serve as a resource in troubleshooting complex matters and ensure that problems are responded to in a timely manner.

  • Ensure department processes, and procedures are clearly defined, documented, and communicated. 

  • Review and update current processes to ensure efficiency and accuracy, as well as creating new processes as approved by the Director of Finance.

  • Update and maintain all electronic and paper-based files.

  • Other related duties as required or assigned, including monitoring and responding to daily emails in the Accounts Payable inbox and assistance with year end T4A reporting.

 

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

  • Excellent communication skills; both written and verbal to communicate effectively and proactively with management and co-workers (Methods: telephone, in-person, e-mail, and virtual meetings).

  • Thorough knowledge of applicable accounts payable/general ledger systems and procedures, financial chart of accounts and corporate procedures.

  • Strong understanding and familiarity of all internal policies and procedures impacting the Finance and accounts payable function. 

  • Strong problem-solving skills with excellent attention to detail is a must. 

  • Possess, basic accounting principles knowledge, documentation skills, investigation and resolution skills, data analysis and multi-tasking skills.

  • Strong computer skills, including MS Excel, and ability to quickly learn new software.

  • Experience with Blackbaud Financial Edge NXT and Chrome River is an asset. 

  • Ability to build and maintain strong vendor relationships is required.

  • Commitment to continuous improvement and excellent customer service.

  • Ability to work independently and with a team in a fast-paced environment with emphasis on accuracy and timeliness.

  • Ability to take feedback from supervisors and peers and make changes to improve performance.

Qualifications:

  • Bachelor of Commerce or Management degree with major in accounting.

  • Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA) designation or candidate currently enrolled in the CPA program  considered an asset. 

  • Minimum of 5 years experience in accounts payable functions 

  • Minimum 2 years of supervisory experience. 

  • Audit experience (i.e. assisting Accounting Services Manager with interim and year end audit requests). 

 

Closing Date: This competition will remain open until a suitable candidate is found. Review of candidates will begin on July 11, 2022. 

To apply, please submit a cover letter and resume as one pdf document.

 

Concordia University of Edmonton encourages applications from members of racialized groups, visible minorities, First Nations, Métis, Inuit, and Indigenous persons, persons with disabilities, women, persons of any sexual orientation or gender identity and expression, and others who may support a diversity of perspectives at CUE. All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however, Canadian citizens and permanent residents will be given priority.  We thank all applicants for their interest; only those selected for an interview will be contacted.